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PV's Higgins to play volleyball at Missouri-St. Louis

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By Andrew Petersen | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:53 PM CDT | () comments

Two years ago, Erin Higgins’ only digging would have involved a shovel.

Volleyball wasn’t something she did. She was a dancer.

Fast-forward to Wednesday, and the Pleasant Valley senior officially signed to attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis on a Division II athletic scholarship.

“It’s a relief,” she said. “When I made my decision, I was just the happiest person ever.”

And she should be, having never played volleyball before age 16.

After 12 years of dance classes, she decided to try something new.

Higgins had played softball in the past, and she wanted something that would utilize her height. Basketball didn’t seem right, so volleyball it was.

As a junior, she was honorable mention all-Mississippi Athletic Conference, and as a senior she was the conference player of the year and second-team all-state.

“Dancing was really helpful with coordination,” Higgins said. “My gracefulness was there. I caught on easily.”

She just finished her second year of club play, where college coaches lavished her with attention. Ultimately, a bond with recently-appointed UMSL coach Trent Jones and a love of the city campus sealed her decision.

Two other Spartan athletes signed letters of intent as well Wednesday.

Three-sport athlete Mike Hemming committed to Western Illinois, where he will run track.

Hemming, whose biggest success has come as a member of 1,600 and distance medley relay teams, said he will likely run the open 400 and 800 for the Leathernecks.

“I really liked the coach,” he said of Western’s Mike Stevenson. “He reminds me a lot of (PV coach Eric) Belby. He really knows what he’s talking about.”

Rounding out the event, basketball player Aaron Hoenig signed with Iowa Wesleyan. Hoenig spent one year playing for the Spartans after moving from Killeen, Texas.

Andrew Petersen can be contacted at (563) 383-2288 or apetersen@qctimes.com.