Volleyball is hot ticket for Clearfield senior

CLEARFIELD — Some kids begin playing sports with aspirations of becoming an all star or receiving a collegiate scholarship. Allison Culp is not one of them.

The Clearfield senior began playing volleyball in junior high because it looked like fun and she wanted to spend more with her best friend. Six years later, volleyball is providing opportunities for Culp that she never dreamed about. Next year Culp will be attending Westminster College on a full-ride athletic scholarship.

The 6-foot senior decided on Westminster after being recruited by several schools, including Boise State, Weber State, Utah State and Rutgers in New Jersey. However, it was the coaching that drew Culp to Westminster.

"When I went to Westminster to visit, everything felt right. One of the Westminster coaches is Ken Norman, who coaches one of the older girls, and she is amazing. She can take a player with no talent and make them into a superstar," said Culp.

Culp certainly has talent. During her sophomore season in 2003 Culp recorded 174 blocks, the second highest total for any Utah high school player ever. However, during her sophomore and junior years Clearfield struggled mightily as a team. Things started to turn around this season for the Falcons under new head coach Tana Homer. Her discipline and knowledge of the game have helped the Falcons soar and have made Culp part of a winning team.

"She is a coach that pushes you to the limit. She pushes players to their max to receive the type of performance she wants and knows were capable of," Culp said. "It feels so good to have a coach that can lead us, that knows what she's doing."

Homer has been pleased with the team effort she has received from her players this season and especially the leadership provided by Culp.

"Allison is not a loud, outgoing person; the second half of the season she has gone out of her comfort zone to be more of a leader and to be more vocal," said Homer.

In addition to playing high school volleyball, Culp is active on a traveling club team. She has played tournaments in Idaho, Missouri, Texas, California and Nevada. A few international teams have traveled as far as Russia and China to play against Culp's club teams in Salt Lake.

Off the court Culp takes her grades even more seriously than her sets. While still in high school Culp is taking college-level math, English and communications. Westminster's ranking as one of the top business schools in the West played a major role in her decision to attend.

Despite her age Culp is very mature and grateful for all the opportunities that volleyball have brought her. She credits her parents, Bruce and Terri, for supporting her with the funds necessary to travel with her club team.

"My parents love volleyball. As I've grown in the sport, they've grown. They support me 100 percent with money to travel and being in the stands," said Culp.

For Culp, the scholarship to Westminster represents the reward for years of hard work.

"I'm so grateful for the scholarship, there is no way I'd get in without it," said Culp.