Michaela Gardner spent last season dominating the Tri-County Athletic League with the St. Patrick-St. Vincent High girls volleyball team. Now the senior is ready to take her game to Iowa.

SPSV’S MICHAELA GARDNER (center) accepted a full-ride scholarship offer to play volleyball for Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa. Pictured with Gardner are her father and mother – Fred (left) and Diane.

Gardner, who led the Lady Bruins in kills last fall, accepted a full-ride scholarship on Tuesday to play volleyball for Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa. Ashford finished last season with a 24-16 record, culminating with a trip to the 2013 Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament championship game against Cal State San Marcos.

“It feels amazing,” Gardner said after signing the scholarship offer in front of coaches, family and friends at SPSV. “I always dreamed of getting a college scholarship but I never thought I’d get a full ride. It’s a huge relief to have this over with.”

Gardner, a First Team All-TCAL selection for the Lady Bruins last fall, was considering offers from Cal State Stanislaus, Dominguez Hills and Domincan University, but after a trip to Iowa a couple weeks ago, Gardner was sold on Ashford. She was given a campus tour and an opportunity to practice with the Lady Saints.

“I visited the campus for three days and everything just clicked,” Gardner said. “I felt really comfortable there.”

“I’m so proud of her and everything she’s accomplished here,” said SPSV volleyball coach Danette Domecus. “I’m sure Ashford will be very happy with the player they’re getting.”

Gardner is expected to play as an outside hitter for the Lady Saints and has a good chance at becoming an immediate starter. But she knows she still has to work hard to raise her game to the college level.

“I have to get tougher mentally because I’ll be a long way from home, will have lots of hard practices and competition,” Gardner said. “But I’m excited about it and ready for the challenge.”

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