RUSSELLVILLE – Logan County’s volleyball program has been a healthy producer of future collegiate players during the past decade.

Lady Cougars senior Kerra Cornist hoped she might one day be among that group of alumni playing beyond high school. But until her junior season, Cornist wasn’t sure she would have an opportunity to play anywhere in college, let alone a Division I program.

“Maybe at the end of my junior year, because at the beginning I was was like, ‘Um, I’m not for sure if I want to play,’ “ Cornist said. “But by the end of my junior year, I was like, ‘Maybe I can get to a higher level.’ “

On Monday at Logan County, Cornist took the next step in doing just that by signing a national letter of intent to play next year at the University of Evansville. Cornist is the first Lady Cougar to ever sign with a Division I program.

“It is pretty cool,” Cornist said. “I feel like all my hard work has really paid off.”

Cornist, along with fellow senior and college signee Shelby Hardison (Brescia), led the Lady Cougars to a 23-15 season that included winning the District 13 regular-season and tournament championships and a quarterfinal match in the Region 4 tournament before suffering a season-ending loss to Greenwood in the regional semifinals.

Cornist, primarily a middle blocker and right-side hitter, led the Lady Cougars in both kills (329) and blocks (75).

“Last year we had three out of four go on to play at the next level, and then this year we’ve got two seniors and they’ll both be playing at the college level,” Logan County coach Steven Lyne said. “So it’s been a great experience just to see those girls move on and progress. Of course, the key is getting them in club ball to keep them playing and pursuing their dreams.”

In Cornist’s case, that meant playing with Owensboro-based Audubon Volleyball Association. It was during a tournament playing for AVA that she first drew the attention of Evansville coach Manolo Concepcion, and soon after Cornist had her invitation to join the Purple Aces. Evansville, a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, is currently 10-18 overall and 4-12 in MVC play.

Cornist said the Purple Aces’ coaching staff told her that her blocking ability can be a real difference maker for the program. She’s focused on improving her timing and plans to play with her club team for the next two or three months before starting work with a personal trainer to improve her strength and conditioning.

Cornist, always a tempting target for basketball coaches due to her height and jumping ability, plans to stick to her chosen sport of volleyball.

“I’m really not that good at basketball,” Cornist said. “Like my brother said, I’d trip over my own feet if I played basketball.”