After a successful career at Goshen High School, Kati Thomas will play volleyball next fall at Wallace State-Hanceville.

The senior committed Sunday night after making a visit to the campus in October, shortly after the Eagles concluded play at the state volleyball tournament.

“I am beyond excited about it all,” Thomas said. “Getting an opportunity to go just a few hours away from home and play what I love and what I have worked so hard for is a great feeling. I am excited about pursuing my career.”

Thomas finished her senior season with 735 kills, 208 blocks, 59 aces and 128 digs.

Thomas has made several trips to the Wallace campus over the last four years and she said she likes the campus and atmosphere. That, combined with a history of success in the volleyball program, made the decision an easy one.

“It was pretty easy,” Thomas said. “They have a wining program, and they have a great coach. I know that I am going to get a lot better while playing for him.”

The team is led by head coach Randy Daniels, and the squad has attended the national tournament in each of the past five seasons. Eagles head coach Amy Warrick is excited for the opportunity Thomas.

“His program is a great program; they win,” Warrick said. “He has a very good success rate of putting players at the next level. He has a player right now who is going to go to Alabama after two years. If Kati wants to play, I feel like he can put her at the next level.”

Warrick has had the opportunity to watch Thomas play since eighth grade, and she knows the type of player Thomas has become.

“She is a worker and that is what I told coach Daniels,” Warrick said. “She was a leader. Being a small 2A school like we are, sometimes we had to ride Kati’s shoulders. She made everybody else rise up and be as good as she wanted them to be.”

Thomas was named statewide player of the week during the fall high school season and she continues to work on her volleyball skills through a club team in Enterprise.

“I’ll be continuing to play volleyball until I leave in the summer,” she said. “I want to work on my footwork and passing before I go up there.”

Thomas will not be the only Eagle making the trip north, teammate and best friend Casey Allen will play softball in Hanceville.

“She has been my best friend since kindergarten,” Thomas said. “We have been like sisters. We probably should have been sisters. I am excited because I will be able to watch her at softball games and she will be able to watch my volleyball games. Hopefully we will be able to room together, and we both will be able to share this experience.”

Thomas’s parents are Jodi and Russell Thomas.