“In order to compete, you need a good Libero and Holly is a very good one,” THS coach Tim Mills said. “She’s great at keeping the ball in play, plus she serves well. She will take all those skills to Blackburn.”

Holly was also recruited by Illinois College and a few junior colleges, but Blackburn, which is located in Carlinville, was the only school she visited.

“They have a really good biology department and I thought their coach and players were great,” she noted. “I went and watched one of their games and I felt like they were all together. I really liked that.”

Holly also explained that Blackburn has a young team, which she also likes.

“In a couple years, we’re going to have a strong team,” she said. “Plus, the coach is hoping to add some good players this year.”

“I think this a good fit for Holly,” Coach Mills added. “Blackburn has a good, competitive program, and they’re going to like her. She works real hard, hustles all the time and her ball control is very good.”

The coach said when the Libero rule was adopted in 2002, “it radically changed the sport. Instead of playing three rotations in the back row, the Libero then had to play all six.

“In order to run a good offense, you have to have a strong Libero and be able to pass the ball,” Coach Mills explained. “We had a good offensive team at T-Town this year and Holly was one of the big reasons why.”

Coach Mills’ wife, Susan, was Holly’s junior varsity coach, and gets some credit for helping Holly improve as a player.

“Sue really kicked her behind,” Coach Mills said. “She always kept her in motion and I think Holly appreciates those moments now.”

“The coaches have really help prepare me with fundamentals that I can take to the next level,” Holly noted. “I’m very appreciative of all they’ve done for me.”

Holly is the daughter of Rod and Janet Heuerman.