Ashburn, Va. – Loudoun County High School senior Andersen Vaughan has made a commitment to continue her volleyball career at the State University of New York at Albany starting in the 2018-2019 school year.
“It feels rewarding and relieving that the decision on my collegiate future is over and done with,” the 6-foot Vaughan said. “I also feel excited and more than prepared for my future and everything that will come before me both on and off the volleyball court.”
[adrotate banner=”14″]Vaughan is certainly prepared to win at Albany after helping the Loudoun County Lady Raiders to their fourth straight region tournament this season. After falling to rival Heritage on October 3, the Lady Raiders have rallied off nine straight wins to improve to 25-2 and will host Millbrook High School in the VHSL 4A Region C championship on November 8.
“Playing for Loudoun County has been like no other. The people I’ve had the opportunity to play with are definitely one of a kind, and I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world,” said Vaughan, who was named first team All-LoCo in 2016. “It has been absolutely incredible these past years playing with people focused on the same goals in a dedicated, competitive and relentless atmosphere.”
Much like the Lady Raiders, the SUNY Albany volleyball team has experienced great success throughout the 2017 season. Led by tenth-year head coach MJ Engstrom, the Division I Great Danes currently lead the America East Conference at 10-1.
“Commitment, dedication, encouragement and motivation are all things I promise myself to go into Albany with,” said Vaughan, who will play setter and right side for the Great Danes. “I’m going in focused, ready to work hard and ready to assist in my team’s success in any way deemed necessary.”
While at Albany, Vaughan hopes to help the Great Danes compete for an America East title while building lifelong friendships.
“I play volleyball because it allows me to be a part of something more than a sport,” said Vaughan, who currently plays club for Virginia Elite Volleyball Club. “Volleyball has always allowed me to develop forever friendships and cooperate with people through unimaginable situations. It encourages me to be athletic and social, but also focused, determined and zeroed in on something I forbid myself to fail at.”
Located about three hours north of New York City, SUNY Albany is quite a ways from home for Vaughan. However, after falling in love with the area, the cuisine and the campus itself, she decided it was the perfect fit for her.
“Not only is it a beautiful area and school, but I ended up realizing I wanted to travel far from home,” Vaughan said. “Academically and athletically, it suits me well and quite honestly, there are some great food places nearby and some cool on-campus underground tunnels!”