C-G’s Klinger finds good fit

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CARY – The first thing Kayla Klinger noticed about Charleston Southern University was its campus.

Klinger liked how spread out the campus in Charleston, S.C., was, and that, coupled with the close-knit group of athletes she met, made the Cary-Grove outside hitter’s decision fairly simple.

Klinger gave an oral commitment to play volleyball for the NCAA Division I Buccaneers next fall. She said she has accepted a scholarship that will cover 90 percent of her costs with a chance to earn more each year.

“[Buccaneers coach Danyel Bellush] told me I could have a month to decide,” said Klinger, who visited CSU two weeks ago, “but I made my decision last weekend. I’m really excited.”

Klinger played an integral role on this year’s IHSA Class 4A state championship team at C-G, racking up 199 kills, 52 aces and 227 digs. She was a Northwest Herald All-Area second-team selection and an All-Fox Valley Conference selection.

Klinger played for C-G coach Patty Langanis for three seasons but really had the best chance to prove herself this season when she worked her way into the starting lineup.

From there, Langanis was more than happy to watch her development.

“She works really hard, and she didn’t get her shot, really, until her senior year, but she earned it,” Langanis said. “She’s one of those players who can help a team like [CSU] build on the tradition they are trying to establish, and she’ll work hard doing it. Nothing came easily for Kayla, but because of her hard work, she’s made things happen.”

CSU was 17-17 overall and 6-10 in the Big South Conference this season. Klinger hopes to have a crack at hitting next fall, although she said there will be two senior outsides ahead of her.

Klinger was deciding between Maryland, Clarke College in Iowa, Rhode Island and Idaho State before deciding on CSU.

She is considering studying secondary education and possibly history, Klinger said.