Barton Community College women’s basketball player Erin Copeland has committed to playing at the next level, signing with NCAA Division-II University of Illinois Springfield, located in Springfield, Ill.
“There were two other schools I was considering,” Copeland said. “The system that Coach (Chad) Oletzke plans on having for the team, as well as what the school had to offer towards my career seemed the best fit for me.”
Copeland, a two-year starter for the Lady Cougars, was named to the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division honorable mention team this past season. The Kansas City, Kan., native averaged 10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while also leading the Lady Cougars with 3.1 assists per game.  
“I learned from my two years of my Barton experience (is) that nothing is ever going to be given to me,” Copeland said. “If I really want something bad enough, I have to go hard every day at doing it. Face every obstacle with a 100-percent effort and success will follow.”
Copeland developed throughout her sophomore season, averaging over 12 points per contest in conference play and became a lethal threat from behind the arc, shooting nearly 40 percent.
Copeland knocked down a career-high five 3-pointers for 20 points against Butler this season. She then matched her career high the following game against Hutchinson to cap a streak of 11 straight double-digit scoring outputs.
In her last 15 games with the Lady Cougars, Copeland reached double-figures 12 times.
Starting 58 of 61 games at Barton, Copeland had the task of leading the offense and absorbing the challenges faced by a point guard.
Copeland will be majoring in visual arts with a minor in communications.