CHS standout commits to play volleyball at next level

PALMER — Basketball may have been her first love, but Allison Leigh’s true love — volleyball — has helped her realize her dreams of becoming a Division I athlete.

Late last month, the Colony High School standout signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Quinnipiac University and play for the Division I Bobcats.

“I’m really excited,” Leigh said recently. “When I was younger, I always wanted to play DI.”

In recent years, Leigh admitted she wasn’t quite sure about making the jump to the Division I level, but Quinnipiac and its volleyball program settled any hesitation.

“The last few years, I wasn’t quite sure if that’s what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to go to a really huge school. But (Quinnipiac) is a pretty small size. It’s the best of both worlds,” Leigh said.

The school located in Hamden, Conn., included everything she was looking for, Leigh said. She’s always wanted to attend a university on the East Coast, Leigh is excited about the school’s physical therapy program and she’s already bonded with coaches and players.

Quinnipiac was among a large list of schools on several levels for Leigh to consider. California Lutheran and Regis University in Colorado were among the small schools on that list. Division I programs Gonzaga and Syracuse were also interested in Leigh as a walk-on athlete.

But Quinnipiac had the most to offer Leigh, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, including a substantial scholarship package.

Leigh is the second Colony High school volleyball standout since 2008 to commit to a Division I program. Hannah Curtis, a 2008 Colony High graduate, played four seasons at Rutgers University, completing her career in 2011. Leigh said Curtis has been a big influence throughout her volleyball career.

“She’s been a mentor for me,” Leigh said of Curtis. “She’s given me such good advice. I’ve always looked up to her.”

Leigh will now try to follow in the footsteps of Curtis, who had great success at the DI level, leading Rutgers in total blocks during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Leigh, part of Quinnipiac’s seven-player class of incoming freshmen, is expected to be given the opportunity to contribute.

“They’re completely rebuilding the program. They’ve talked to me about my role, and said they play the people who work the hardest,” Leigh said.

Leigh also played on the varsity girls basketball team at Colony High and grew up favoring basketball over volleyball.

“I grew up loving basketball. That’s what I did, 24-7,” Leigh said.

But as she grew into volleyball, that became her sport of choice.

“I wasn’t until I made varsity volleyball until I really started to love it,” Leigh said.

Leigh played two years of basketball before shifting her focus on volleyball. As a sophomore, Leigh played both basketball and club volleyball for the Midnight Sun program in Anchorage. Between the two sports and academics, Leigh said it was tough to balance.

“I loved basketball, but I felt it was the best decision for me; focus all my energy on volleyball,” Leigh said.

Leigh said she’s appreciate of her experiences playing basketball, and said even some of her basketball coaches — such as former Valley youth basketball coach Greg Ray ¬— helped her become a better volleyball player.

“He taught me a lot about being an athlete,” Leigh said of Ray.

Leigh’s volleyball coach at Colony High, Amy Carter, said she’s excited that Leigh has the chance to play at a high level.

“This is a great opportunity for her,” Carter said.

Carter has coached Leigh on the varsity squad since Leigh’s sophomore year. During that time, Carter said Leigh has continued to develop her talents. But a big difference has been Leigh’s improved confidence on the court.

“Confidence in her ability to go up and hit the ball hard,” Carter said.

Carter also expects Leigh to continue to improve.

“I don’t think she’s anywhere near the top of her game,” Carter said.