Heidi Thelen commits to Penn State

**BlueKrush** · Apr 24, 12, 09:09 PM

For those not in the volleyball universe, this would be like a running back committing to Alabama or a power forward committing to Kentucky. Penn State is simply the best volleyball program out there right now. Congrats!

**Clyde** · Apr 24, 12, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

For those not in the volleyball universe, this would be like a running back committing to Alabama or a power forward committing to Kentucky. Penn State is simply the best volleyball program out there right now. Congrats!

WOW! I knew they were interested but that's still a shocker. Big time!

My aging memory says she has 2 years left at NDA, correct?

**nkyvbfan** · Apr 25, 12, 05:40 AM

Congrats to Miss Thelen and her family!

**nkyvbfan** · Apr 25, 12, 05:43 AM

That's 3 D-1 recruits for NDA's team for next year! They should have a Great season!

**kinglouie** · Apr 25, 12, 06:43 AM

Congrat's to Heidi and her family. This is BIG news, and I could not be happier for them.

**BlueKrush** · Apr 25, 12, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by Clyde

WOW! I knew they were interested but that's still a shocker. Big time!

My aging memory says she has 2 years left at NDA, correct?

Heidi and Elle both will be Juniors. When Russ Rose, PSU head coach, suddenly starts showing up at your club volleyball tournaments, I think your college search is over. NDA is loaded as usual, but I have a funny feeling that St. Henry will get the best of them - Fortner and Bessler are Seniors this year and I think they will push hard to go to state. It's early to start ranting already, but really sucks that Ryle, NDA, and St. Henry are 3 of the top 5 teams in the state, but only 1 will actually go to state. Those 3 can beat anyone in the state outside of the I-264 Watterson Expressway loop.

**BlueKrush** · Apr 25, 12, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by nkyvbfan

That's 3 D-1 recruits for NDA's team for next year! They should have a Great season!

It's actually 4 going D1 - Thelen, Ogle, Schuler, Angel

**ZX3** · Apr 25, 12, 11:11 AM

Congrats to Heidi and her family. So happy for them! What a super accomplishment! I bet she is super excited to be a part of one of the most storied volleyball programs in the country. Pretty sure that was her goal/dream school since the 7th grade.

Super accomplishment Heidi!

**Clyde** · Apr 25, 12, 12:41 PM

Is this the biggest program an NKY player has ever committed to?

**BlueKrush** · Apr 25, 12, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Clyde

Is this the biggest program an NKY player has ever committed to?

Yes. Has to be. PSU has won 4 of the last 5 national titles. Russ Rose has won more Women's titles than any other D1 Women's volleyball coach ever (5). He's also made it to the championship 3 additional times. PSU has never finished worse than 3rd in the Big Ten. They've made the NCAA tournament 31 straight years. In 2008 they didn't lose a regular season set, not match, set, something no DI, II, or III school has ever done. They won 109 straight matches over a 3 year period.

Dare I say the biggest NKY signing in any sport?

**Clyde** · Apr 25, 12, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

Yes. Has to be. PSU has won 4 of the last 5 national titles. Russ Rose has won more Women's titles than any other D1 Women's volleyball coach ever (5). He's also made it to the championship 3 additional times. PSU has never finished worse than 3rd in the Big Ten. They've made the NCAA tournament 31 straight years. In 2008 they didn't lose a regular season set, not match, set, something no DI, II, or III school has ever done. They won 109 straight matches over a 3 year period.

Dare I say the biggest NKY signing in any sport?

All sports being equal, yes.

**kyyank** · Apr 25, 12, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

Yes. Has to be. PSU has won 4 of the last 5 national titles. Russ Rose has won more Women's titles than any other D1 Women's volleyball coach ever (5). He's also made it to the championship 3 additional times. PSU has never finished worse than 3rd in the Big Ten. They've made the NCAA tournament 31 straight years. In 2008 they didn't lose a regular season set, not match, set, something no DI, II, or III school has ever done. They won 109 straight matches over a 3 year period.

Dare I say the biggest NKY signing in any sport?

Shawn Alexander, Alabama says hello. Great accomplishment.

**Theoldguy** · Apr 25, 12, 05:23 PM

Gee heading East instead of South to the state of Alabama?

Extremely talented, smart and beautiful young lady! Congrats to her and her family!

**Clyde** · Apr 25, 12, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by kyyank

Shawn Alexander, Alabama says hello. Great accomplishment.

My memory tells me Bama wasn't dominant when Shaun went there.

**kyyank** · Apr 25, 12, 08:38 PM

Maybe this should be it's own thread. Great topic. Again, great accomplishment for the young lady.

**SSC** · Apr 26, 12, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

It's actually 4 going D1 - Thelen, Ogle, Schuler, Angel

To have 4 D1 recruits on a team is crazy!

Question how many Basketball players boys or girls will go D1 in the area with athletic money? How about the other sports? Soccer will have several, softball 1 or 2, I would think football gets a couple every year. Sounds like volleyball has several. So to have 4 D1 players from one school is just nuts to me. Congrats to all the girls.

**RomanEmpire** · Apr 26, 12, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by SSC

To have 4 D1 recruits on a team is crazy!

Question how many Basketball players boys or girls will go D1 in the area with athletic money? How about the other sports? Soccer will have several, softball 1 or 2, I would think football gets a couple every year. Sounds like volleyball has several. So to have 4 D1 players from one school is just nuts to me. Congrats to all the girls.

Not sure why this is "nuts" to you. Now, if this were a public school with no open enrollment..........now that would be "nuts".

**Clyde** · Apr 26, 12, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by RomanEmpire

Not sure why this is "nuts" to you. Now, if this were a public school with no open enrollment..........now that would be "nuts".

I tend to agree with you especially considering NDA is a volleyball power which lends itself to getting girls from all over NKY. However, at least 2 of the 4 (not sure about Schuler) are from NDA feeder schools .

Volleyball is played well mainly in two areas in KY - Louisville and NKY. The other sports mentioned by SSC are played well throughout the state so talent is much more widespread.

**BlueKrush** · Apr 26, 12, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by SSC

To have 4 D1 recruits on a team is crazy!

Question how many Basketball players boys or girls will go D1 in the area with athletic money? How about the other sports? Soccer will have several, softball 1 or 2, I would think football gets a couple every year. Sounds like volleyball has several. So to have 4 D1 players from one school is just nuts to me. Congrats to all the girls.

One thing to note is the High School has nothing to do with it - public, private, doesn't matter. That's not where the scholarships are.

No one is getting a scholarship based on school ball - and that goes for almost every sport these days (except football). No coach is going to go watch you play HS soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, etc. Scholarships come from playing club volleyball, select soccer, AAU basketball, etc. and getting seen at huge tournaments against elite competition.

**Clyde** · Apr 26, 12, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by BlueKrush

One thing to note is the High School has nothing to do with it - public, private, doesn't matter. That's not where the scholarships are.

No one is getting a scholarship based on school ball - and that goes for almost every sport these days (except football). No coach is going to go watch you play HS soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, etc. Scholarships come from playing club volleyball, select soccer, AAU basketball, etc. and getting seen at huge tournaments against elite competition.

Agreed.