Carson's Ford selected for elite event

Lindsay Ford loves volleyball.

"I love volleyball so much," she said. "I don't would I would do if I didn't play."

Ford, who is the setter for the Carson High volleyball team, will have a chance to play plenty of volleyball this summer with some of the nation's top players. Ford has been chosen for the All-Star Hawaii Classic in July, a showcase over several days that will display the nation's top volleyball players.

Out of 1,500 juniors considered across the country, Ford was among the 22 players selected for the event to be held in Oahu, which figures to give her plenty of exposure to college coaches heading into her senior year.

"I really want to play Division I volleyball," said Ford, who made the all-Sierra League first team last year as a setter in her sophomore year. "I definitely want to play in college."

Ford has the academic pedigree for college, carrying a 3.5 grade point average in honors and advance placement college level courses. Carson coach Shana Wilkins said she believes Ford has the athletic pedigree to move on to the next level as well.

"She works her tail off," Wilkins said. "She's just very athletic. She'll be able to play at the next level for sure. She's our leader of the program. Lindsay can play Division I."

Ford also runs track and ran on last year's 4x100 and 4x200 relays at the NIAA 4A State Championship, helping the Carson girls track team to a third place finish. But her passion is volleyball and she credits much of her succes to her experience with the Capital City Volleyball Club.

"It helps me be more consistent as a player," said Ford about club volleyball. "I've been a lot more consistent. It's just really helped me expand as a player since you play with a lot of different girls at a lot of different abilities."

Ford is obviously looking forward to the event in July. "It's like a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said. "It's so cool to be invited to something like that with all the best athletes in the country."

The 5-8 Ford said she's enjoyed this season so far. "This season has been good," she said. "We try to play our hearts out all the time. Just playing with this bunch of girls is so much fun. This year has been awesome so far."

To make the trip, Ford still needs to raise $3,500. Anyone interested in helping with the fund-raising efforts can call Wilkins, 233-5399.