Goshen High School senior Kati Thomas signed a scholarship to play volleyball at Wallace-State-Hanceville.

Thomas, who committed verbally in November 2015, had been waiting excitedly for the moment when she could finally put pen to paper.

“It is such a good feeling to have everybody here to watch me sign my life away for the next two years,” Thomas said, referring to her friends; family; coaches; and teammates. “To have them here to see it was special.”

Goshen volleyball coach Amy Warrick has been coaching Thomas since the eighth grade, and the special moment was not lost on the coach.

“It’s exciting for her,” Warrick said. “She loves her team and her teammates. Kati has been a very dedicated student and athlete. I am so pleased for her that all of her hard work has paid off.”

The success gained by Thomas throughout her four-plus years playing volleyball could not have been earned without hard work and effort.

“It’s a great feeling to know that all the hard work has paid off and to be able to go to a winning program and play for a great coach” Thomas said.

More important, Thomas, her coach and those present at the signing used the event to encourage other players, reminding them “this could be you.” Thomas had a knack of impacting her teammates both on and off the court, and the hope is that seeing all the hard work pay off will shine a light on some of Thomas’s younger teammates.

“She stays here for hours and helps these younger kids learn how to hit the ball,” Warrick said. “She always goes out to a softball field and shows them how to hit. Kati is a very humble player, and she gives a lot to the younger players.”

Thomas’s overall message to her teammates on Friday was “don’t ever give up and keep working hard because it will pay off.”

As a senior, Thomas put up impressive numbers that included 735 kills, 208 blocks, 59 aces and 128 digs.

“It’s very exciting for me,” said Wallace head coach Randy Daniels. “I have known Kati since her eighth-grade year and I noticed the potential she had then. She is a very strong hard hitting, very athletic kid. She has a great personality and comes from a great family.”

All the success as of late won’t change the amount of work that Thomas will put forth.

“I am going to have to keep working really hard,” Thomas said. “I am going to leave this summer and go work out and start practicing.”

With hard work, Daniels said Thomas could make an instant impact.

“I think she can come in and compete right away,” Daniels said. “Whether it is on the left side or the right side. I expect her to come in and do good for me.