PREP VOLLEYBALL: Cullman’s Crider signs with Lurleen B. Wallace

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Cullman’s Callie Crider signs a volleyball scholarship to play at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in CHS’ Tillman Hall Friday. Callie is joined by her mother and father, Sha Rae Crider and Heath Crider, assistant coach Kristen Barnett, head coach Meagan Cagle and LBWCC head coach Janie Wiggins. (Nick Griffin/The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Friends, family, teammates and coaches all gathered in Cullman High School’s Tillman Hall Friday afternoon to celebrate another Bearcat standout taking the next step of their athletic and academic career. Callie Crider is the latest Bearcat to sign an athletic scholarship and hers will be taking her to Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia to play for head coach Janie Wiggins and the Saints’ volleyball team.

Crider put up some impressive numbers in her prep career to catch the eye of college scouts and earn this opportunity. Callie posted 1,721 kills, 322 blocks, 257 aces and 156 digs in high school and plans to add to those numbers once she hits the court for the Saints.

Cullman Head Coach Meagan Cagle is not only excited to see Callie take advantage of a great opportunity but is excited for what her signing means for the Bearcats program as well.

“This is the first girl that I’ve had sign, but she is also the first girl from Cullman to ever sign a scholarship for volleyball. So, this is a really big deal,” Cagle said. “I’ve got three seniors and all three of them are signing and then for next year I already have a few girls that are getting looked at so we’re getting ready and rolling and I’m super excited.”

Callie became an impact player for the ‘Cats almost as soon as she arrived, and Cagle was proud to see her step into an important role for some big moments.

“She came in and really helped, we had a girl get hurt in the middle and she really came in and really stepped up for us,” Cagle said. “She had some big games in the area tournament and at regionals, so we’ve definitely been proud to have her.”

Callie is looking forward to competing at the next level and knows that she’ll miss her teammates and coaches at Cullman but she’s ready to see what her career with the Saints has in store.

“I really like the coach and then I went and toured their college and really liked it there too. I’ve met some of the girls on the team and I really liked them so I’m looking forward to it,” Crider said. “I’m going to miss the people here and my coaches but I’m also ready to play in college just to get that new experience.”

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