For high school seniors heading into their final semester, it’s time to start looking to the future.
For Brenna Haines, that future will involve playing volleyball for Butler Community College.
For Haines, the choice to play in El Dorado came down to the team itself.
“I really liked the atmosphere when the girls got together and started playing,” Haines said. “Also, I like the school and where it’s at, the size of it. It was really fun to play there. I really connected with the girls.”
Haines said she considered her options, but fell for Butler.
“I had five or six different schools that I’ve visited,” Haines said. “I really liked most of them. There were few that I would go to and a few that I just didn’t like at all, so I nixed them.
“I just really connected with Butler. I really liked them.”
Haines was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection this season for the Lady Panthers.w
“Brenna is very dedicated,” GBHS head volleyball coach Kelsey Perry said. “She’s made such a huge transition in her four years here. As a freshman, we threw her into a little varsity at the end of the season, and that really set our tone for the next three years. We knew we had something special.
“She’s worked very hard, and is very deserving of going to college to play.”
Haines set single-season school records in hitting efficiency (.470) and blocks (179) in 1012, and is No. 1 in career blocks with 391.
“I’m pretty proud (of my time at Great Bend),” Haines said. “I don’t have any siblings who were really big in sports, who made a name for themselves, and that’s what I think I did in volleyball. I kind of made a mark on the program, made an impact. That’s for sure.”
Haines said she’s ready for the challenges at the next level.
“I’m going to have to prepare myself,” Haines said. “I’m going to have to start working out some more, getting more intense with my workouts and get focused, but I think I’m ready for the next level. If I’m not, they’ll sure get me there.”