Now that her high school volleyball career is over with the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Lady Bruins, senior Malia Bolko can focus on her future at the college level.

Bolko recently signed a letter of intent to play as a walk-on at U.C. Davis next season. SPSV’s leading hitter this year and a two-time All-League First Team selection, Bolko is expected to play as a libero or defensive specialist for the Lady Aggies of the Big West Conference.

“I’m so proud that she’s making it to the next level,” said SPSV head coach Danette Domecus. “We’re excited to see her play for U.C. Davis.”

Bolko played on the SPSV varsity all four years and was an All-League selection each season. Her senior year, Bolko led the Lady Bruins in kills and helped the team reach the North Coast Section Division IV semifinals.

“She’s a special player,” Domecus said. “She works really hard on the court and has always wanted to compete. She plays well as a hitter at the net and also plays good defense.”

Teammate Julia Kistner remembers when she and Bolko first made the SPSV varsity as freshmen and found themselves thrust into a championship-caliber program.

“We used to practice in the backyard trying to become as good as the older players,” Kistner said.

“She was a little scared to be playing against some of our really good older players, but she had the skills to play right with them and helped us through a lot of postseason games,” Domecus said.

Bolko was SPSV’s No. 2 offensive option her sophomore year in 2012 when the Lady Bruins won their first NCS championship. Paige Reed was the team’s top offensive weapon that year, and Reed now plays for Davis rival Cal State Fullerton as a sophomore. Fullerton is currently in first place in the Big West, with Davis in third.

“What was most special for me at St. Pat’s was the bonds I made on the team,” Bolko said. “I still text and talk to a lot of the players who have already graduated. I talked to Paige and we were excited that we’ll be playing against each other.”

Bolko’s SPSV teammates had nothing but good things to say about their 2014 leader.

“When I joined varsity as a sophomore, some of the players wouldn’t talk to me but Malia was always nice to me,” said junior Halle Webster. “She makes the season a lot more fun.”

“I’ve never had as much chemistry with any one player as I’ve had with Malia,” Kistner said. “When I’m down, she’s always that one person who can pick me up. On the court she’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. I don’t know where I would have been these past four years without her.”

The Lady Aggies liked Bolko after watching her play with her club volleyball team (XCELERATION) at a National tournament. Bolko went on an unofficial visit late last summer and made an official visit earlier this month.

“I got to spend the night with them and it was really fun,” Bolko said of her future teammates. “I got to try on gear and I really felt like a college player.”

Bolko was also seriously considering taking her game to Hawaii or Portland, Ore., but the comfort and familiarity of Davis was too hard to pass up.

“I like that it’s close to downtown Davis and the food on campus is really good,” Bolko said. “If you don’t like the food, how are you going to live there? And the school is very eco-friendly and welcoming.”

Bolko plans on majoring in economics or some subject involving math at Davis. She’s already looking forward to competing at the Division I college level.

“It’s really fast paced so I’ll have to practice a lot and continue workouts,” Bolko said.