Truckee High volleyball standout Nikki Schneider received an athletic scholarship to Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill.

The 5-foot-10 outside hitter made a verbal commitment and will sign her letter of intent when she arrives on campus July 27, said Ron Sweet, head coach of the Kishwaukee Kougars.

and#8220;She’s a tremendous athlete,and#8221; said Sweet, who flew Schneider out to Illinois this past spring to see her play. and#8220;She’s a very, very good volleyball player, but she’s such a good athlete that we think we can turn her into something really special.and#8221;

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Kishwaukee’s volleyball program is a perennial powerhouse among the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II ranks, winning the national championship five of the last eight years and#8212; including the last three in a row and#8212; while regularly producing Division I prospects.

and#8220;We put a pretty good squad together every year,and#8221; said Sweet, whose team finished 56-3 last season. and#8220;In the eight years I’ve been with the program, all of our front-row players have received Division I scholarships to move on and play.

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and#8220;So I firmly believe that with a little more training we can get Nikki to the Division I level.and#8221;

Schneider established herself as one of the premier players in the 3A the past two seasons, earning All-State and All-League honors on a talented Truckee team that finished runner-up in the 2007 and and#8216;08 state championships. Her senior year the co-team captain tallied 163 kills and 74 digs in 67 games. She also played varsity as a sophomore.

Schneider played most recently for the Capital City 18 Black club team based out of Carson City. That team and#8212; an all-star group of 2A, 3A and 4A players from Northern Nevada and#8212; is fresh off a 19th-place finish out of 48 teams in the Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships over the Fourth of July holiday.

At 5-10, Schneider’s above-average vertical leap makes up for whatever height she may give up to an opponent on the front row.

and#8220;Her jumping ability is phenomenal. She really gets up well and#8212; and she snaps really well, too,and#8221; Sweet said, referring also to the power with which Schneider strikes the ball.

In addition to her athleticism, Sweet said Schneider left a lasting impression with her positive attitude during her visit.

and#8220;She’s a great kid. I like her a lot,and#8221; Sweet said. and#8220;She’s got a great personality, which is really something I look for in players. I don’t want kids who are just good at volleyball. I want kids who have a passion for the game and are fun to be around.and#8221;

Kishwaukee College is located about 50 miles west of Chicago and 4 miles from Northern Illinois University. Sweet said all his players live in dorms on the campus of Northern Illinois.