York College adds Palmer senior

PALMER — York College wasn’t always on Leiah Reichel’s radar. But a chance meeting between friends from her church and a representative of the York, Nebraska, school led to an opportunity for Reichel to attend the school and play college volleyball for the NAIA program.

Reichel, a Palmer High School volleyball standout, recently signed her National Letter of Intent to attend York College and play for the Panthers women’s volleyball squad.

“It wasn’t initially one of my first choices, but a couple from my church went down there a while ago. On a visit they talked to an athletic person down there about me,” Reichel said after inking her intent at a ceremony at Palmer High recently.

The school’s interest in the Palmer 5-foot-10 middle blocker started from there, and continued to grow.

“The coach started contacting me. From then, I really liked the coaching staff,” Reichel said.

A scholarship offer cemented the deal.

“Once they decided to give me a scholarship, I thought, I love playing volleyball, I want to play volleyball in college,” Reichel said.

Reichel said the continued interest and persistence of the York coaching staff was also a draw

“Just the fact they kept contacting me, that they wanted me to play for them, their interest sparked that,” Reichel said.

Reichel also has the potential to play early in her career. York’s 2014-15 roster featured only three middle blockers. Reichel said York also had an injury at the position.

“Even as a freshman, I’m pretty sure I’ll most likely get some playing time,” Reichel said.

Steve Reynolds, Reichel’s coach during her four years at Palmer, said he feels York is a good spot for Reichel.

“It’s a good fit for her,” Reynolds said recently. “There’s a great opportunity for her to do really well there.”

As a senior, Reichel led the Moose with a .315 hitting percentage and 83 total blocks. Reichel was named first-team All-Northern Lights Conference as a senior.

Reynolds also coaches Reichel during the winter club volleyball season. Reynolds said they’ve been working to broaden Reichel’s skill set.

“We’ve been talking to her about expanding what she does. You don’t know exactly what (the college) may want. You want to make yourself as marketable as possible, so you can play,” Reynolds said. “We’re trying to help her expand some of the things we didn’t use her for. It wasn’t because she couldn’t do it. We had others who did those things.”

Overall, Reynolds said he sees good potential.

“She’s got a lot to offer,” Reynolds said.