Moody commits to play volleyball at NDSU
Dickinson High senior Ali Moody knew she wanted to play college volleyball. She just didn’t know for what team.By: Royal McGregor, The Dickinson Press
- Ali Moody
Dickinson High senior Ali Moody knew she wanted to play college volleyball. She just didn’t know for what team.
Until Wednesday.
Moody made her commitment to the North Dakota State volleyball program known like most high school athletes do — via Twitter. She posted “Just committed to NDSU to play volleyball!! (hashtag)DreamComeTrue.”
NDSU coaches cannot comment on recruits until they sign national letters of intent on Feb. 6.
“I’m very excited,” Moody said. “I’ve never been more excited in my life. I can’t stop smiling.”
The 5-foot-11 Dickinson senior started playing at the varsity level when she was a sophomore. She knew she wanted to be a Division I player by as early as the sixth grade.
“They’ve (the Bison) always had a really good volleyball program and I’ve always wanted to play Division I,” Moody said.
Moody grew up in a volleyball family.
Her dad, Dave Moody, had an 18-year career as head volleyball coach for Dickinson State. He led DSU to its only NAIA championship in 2000 and is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.
The Dickinson senior had a breakout season last year as a setter. This season she’s taken on more responsibilities on the floor. Now, Ali Moody spends time at both setter and outside hitter.
“She just so well-rounded,” Dickinson head coach Jay Schobinger said. “She’s versatile and she can do a lot of things that’s going to be a huge asset for her.”
The other colleges Moody was considering were the University of North Dakota, Black Hills State, and St. Cloud (Minn.) State.
Not only choosing a school to play volleyball for was a major choice, but Moody has narrowed down to two majors in school either dietetics or elementary education.
So, was it fate Moody was going to go to NDSU?
Her older brother, Nate, accepted a walk-on invitation for the Bison football team. Since joining the NDSU football team, the Bison have won a FCS championship. In his sophomore season, he has 12 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s probably good to have another family member there, because it will be easier for my parents to travel there,” Ali said. “He knows what it’s like to be a Division I athlete, so I can just ask him anything.”
Though Ali’s commitment is going to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue for Dickinson’s final home match against Bismarck St. Mary’s at 7 p.m. today, she wants to finish out with a strong finish in her last season as a Midget.
“I just want to share the last few weeks I have with my teammates,” Ali said. “I love them all and I’m really going to miss them.”
In the past two seasons, the Midgets have now sent three players to the collegiate level. The last two are freshmen at Bismarck State College Madison Deibert and Leslie Beaudoin.
A pair of 2007 graduates spent their careers at Division I schools.
Katelyn Steffan played for Colorado State and was the most valuable player of the Mountain West Conference last season. Paige Nash played two seasons at Montana before finishing her career at North Dakota State.
“It means that I’ve been fortunate to coach a lot of good volleyball players,” Schobinger said. “They’ve made me look pretty good.”
Tags: high school volleyball, dickinson midgets, ali moody, sports, preps, bison, volleyball
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