Stoaks becomes a Spartan

LENOX — With a group of family, friends, coaches and more looking on Tuesday, Lenox senior Jacy Stoaks signed on to play collegiate athletics as a Southwestern Community College Spartans.

Stoaks will have her shot on the volleyball court and the softball field for the Spartans while pursing her Associate of Arts degree. Stoaks said she was thinking about possibly pursuing a Master's degree in Athletic Training at Northern Iowa in the future.

"They’re (volleyball and softball) my favorite sports so I wanted to play both of them if I could," Stoaks said.

"I can come home and see my friends and they can come watch me play.”

Being close to home was a big part of the decision for Stoaks.

"I like being not far away and I can just come home whenever I want to," Stoaks said.

SWCC volleyball coach Aleesha Cleaver and new Spartans softball coach Paige Cassady were present for the signing and spoke glowingly of Stoaks.

“She definitely has all of the fundamentals," Cassady said. "She’s very coachable. She seems like she’s really going to be one of those kids that’s going to work hard and be a team player.

Cleaver spoke with equal, if not greater optimism.

"It’s nice definitely to be able to get that first (recruit) and get things rolling, especially getting a local player who is really talented," Cleaver said.

Stoaks heads into basketball season for the Tigers.