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November 15, 2005Leland's Glass becomes a LionAll-Stater signs letter of intent with Penn StateTRAVERSE CITY - Leland High School graduates less than 50 kids a year.In the last 25 years, five girls have received Division 1 athletic scholarships. All those were in basketball ... until now. Leland senior Alisha Glass signed a national letter of intent on Monday to play volleyball at Penn State University next year. She'll follow in the footsteps of former Leland basketball players like Rebecca Glass, Julie Polakowski, Stephanie Chambers, Shawne Brow and Marie Polakowski - while making some big steps of her own. "I never really thought about that stuff," Alisha Glass said. "You think about all the great athletes that have come through here that you look up to and admire. "Each of the ones that went before seemed so far out of reach. Now what I'm doing seems so far out of reach." It all became reality on Monday night when she officially signed with Penn State in front of friends, family and Leland High School staff members. The 6-foot Glass, who was recruited by some of the top programs in the country, found everything she wanted on the campus in University Park, Pa. "They just seemed to have it all - a great program, great coaches, great atmosphere and great academics," Glass said. "And they play in the Big 10 so I can come and play close to home. Everything was just right, the combination of all the things you look for." "I think the coaching staff is outstanding and fits Alisha's style real well," added Leland coach Laurie Glass, who is also Alisha's mother. "They have great community support and the university backs the volleyball program." The volleyball program is also top notch. With four regular season games left, Penn State (25-2) clinched its third straight Big 10 title and its ninth in the past 15 seasons. The Nittany Lions are ranked third in the country. Penn State, a perfect 16-0 in the conference this season, loses just two players off this year's team in setter Sam Tortorello and libero Kaleena Walters. Penn State coach Russ Rose - 853-153 in his 27th season with the Nittany Lions - is looking at Alisha Glass as setter/right-side hitter. "The position that Alisha is being recruited for is open next year," Laurie Glass said. "They're only losing two kids - the setter and the libero - off this phenom team that they have. "Certainly I think Alisha is the kind of kid, like any good athlete, that wants to get on the court right away." In addition to Alisha Glass, Penn State is also bringing in another setter, Jessica Yanz of Chicago. Glass said she's ready to battle for the starting spot with Yanz. If nothing else, Alisha Glass said, the competition will make both players better. "If I get a starting spot, it's because I worked hard at it and I earned it," she said. "If it was just given to me, it wouldn't mean as much. "If I can't be the best I can be then the team couldn't be the best it could be. The fact that we're pushing each other will only make us both better." Even though she hasn't played her senior season yet, Alisha Glass is already one of the best. She is the national leader in career kills (2,686), career service aces (685) and aces in a season (296), which she established as a junior. The national record for kills was 2,638. Glass is more than 100 beyond the career record for aces while her season total is 79 better. While playing at Penn State, Alisha Glass is considering a degree in kinesiology with an eye on physical therapy. "When I went out for a visit, the kinesiology department is in the same building as the volleyball arena," Alisha Glass said. "It must have been a sign." Right on the dotted line.
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