Marissa High School senior standout volleyball player Kendra Goss recently signed a letter of intent to play at John A. Logan College next fall. Seated with Kendra are her mother, Rhonda, and Vols head coach Bill Burnside. Standing from left are: Marissa Athletics Director Dan Lehman, Principal Mark Heuring, Marissa High volleyball coach Jaidra Boman and assistant coach Kelli Tobin. (Photo provided)

John A. Logan College volleyball coach Bill Burnside added some power to the outside hitting position with the recent signing of Kendra Goss of Marissa.

Goss joins a solid recruiting class that already includes: Kasey Krough of Carbondale; Morgan Mueller of Perryville, Mo.; Kacey Wahlig of Freeburg; Alyssa Sturgeon of Murphysboro and Emily Atwood of Farina.

“Kendra has the potential to be a very solid collegiate player,” Burnside said. “She has good size for an outside or rightside hitter and the athleticism to hit the ball with great velocity. Once she has adapted some of her skills to the college game, I expect her to grow into a dominant hitter. Not every girl has the strength and explosiveness to really terminate the ball, but I believe Kendra does.”

Burnside said Goss has been the “heart” of her high school team the last four years and has gotten myriad reps as a front-row hitter.

“This has given her a very good feel for attacking the defense,” he said. “Kendra knows how to be efficient – when to really attack a ball aggressively and when to back off a little to keep an awkward set in play. I think that feel will serve her well as an outside hitter for us.”

Goss said she has wanted to play college volleyball since the time she became an impact player at the prep level.
“Of course, my ultimate goal is to play at a D-1 four-year school, but for now, I’m looking forward to playing at John A. Logan College. I chose Logan because of the academic record and because I will have a great opportunity to play right away.”

Goss described herself as competitive and instinctive.

“I’d like to think I’m a smart player who can anticipate where the ball will go before it gets there. As an incoming freshman, I plan to work hard to make the team better. I put 100 percent effort into everything that I do.”

Goss added that she knows there is a difference between playing prep volleyball and college volleyball.

“I know it will take some adjusting, but I am confident that it will come to me. I love the game so much. I have always known that I wanted to play this sport at the next level and now I’m getting that chance. I am excited about it and am looking forward to meeting my new teammates.”