HENDERSON – Between accepting well-wishes from friends, a congratulatory call from her new college volleyball coach and eating some of the cake that was on the dais, Prairie View’s Emily Alexis summed up her choice of colleges rather succinctly.

    “I was told once you’re on a campus, you know whether it’s the place for you,” Alexis said. “At CU, I knew it was the right place.”

    Alexis signed her collegiate volleyball letter of intent Nov. 11 to play for the Buffaloes. She becomes the first ThunderHawks athlete to sign with an NCAA Division I college for any sport.

    Prairie View finished with a record of 21-5. Three years ago, the ThunderHawks were 4-11. Alexis was a big reason why. She had 332 kills, 375 digs, 52 aces and 26 blocks. She’s a two-time recipient of the Skyline League’s Player of the Year award, and she was one of the winners of the American Volleyball Coaches Association/MaxPreps Player of the Week honors.

    “Emily is an outstanding athlete who is receiving instruction at one of the nation’s top club programs (the Front Range Volleyball Club),” CU coach Liz Kritza said in comments posted on cubuffs.com. “I expect her to be very successful here at CU and that she will be able to get into the fold quickly due to her athletic prowess. She has great experience in building a program over her tenure as she played an integral role in her prep team’s constant improvement.”

    Alexis, who started playing volleyball in kindergarten, drew interest from Ohio State and Tulane universities. She also paid a visit to Colorado State University before settling on Boulder.

    “I loved everything about CU,” she said. “It’s good to stay local so my family can come and watch. They are rebuilding their program, and I want to be a part of it.

    “The stadium they have for volleyball is amazing,” Alexis continued. “The academics are good. They have a wide variety of majors, which is good for me because I haven’t decided on one.”

    “CU is rebuilding its program,” Prairie View coach Amy Grace said. “She (Kritza) came in and moved some things around. It’s a good fit for Emily.”

    Alexis would like to get into something related to veterinary science or biology. She ranks 16th in her class at Prairie View and has a grade point average of 3.6.

    “Emily is a superb athlete,” Kritza said on CU’s Web site. “With a dynamic jump, a powerful attack and the ability to play all three front row positions, Emily brings punch and versatility to every team she plays on. Her quickness on offense and defense makes her a truly rare breed of player. She should develop into a formidable offensive and defensive weapon for the Buffs.”

     “To go in-state and particularly CU is the best fit,” Grace said. “She gets a full ride.”

 She’s close to home. It’s a better situation when she can be closer to her friends.”

     “I’m excited, definitely,” Alexis said. “I’m a little nervous, too. It’s cool that I’m the first Prairie view athlete to sign somewhere. And I’m excited to move to college.

    “I’m nervous, too,” she continued. “I’m moving away from home, which I’ve never done.” I’ll be close. But it’ll be a big change.”