Kayla Guthrie began thinking about where to attend college and play another four years of volleyball in March.
She took one campus visit, to the University of Indianapolis, thought the place featured charming grounds and believed it may be the right spot for her.
“Then corona hit,” Guthrie said.
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The COVID-19 pandemic grounded much American travel while people were encouraged to stay home. So instead of driving around to check out other campuses, the rest of Guthrie’s college search became a virtual exercise.
“It was kind of worrisome,” Guthrie said Thursday when she signed an NCAA Division II letter of intent to attend the University of Indianapolis after all, taking her full circle.
“I thought, ‘What if I miss something?’” she said.
Technology permitted Guthrie to visit other campuses with large and small student populations here and there, the entire time pretty much comparing those colleges to Indianapolis in her head.
“It was definitely kept in consideration,” Guthrie said of Indianapolis.
UIndy won the Guthrie sweepstakes, and she signed the official paperwork in the foyer of the Brownstown sports trophy room, making her plans official.
Guthrie was accompanied by several relatives for the event, and they shared allegiance wear, T-shirts and the like advertising her new school and that she will play for the team nicknamed the Greyhounds.
Even though the awards had already been announced, Guthrie was just learning about postseason honors she received as a key member of the Braves’ 22-12 team during the 2020 season.
Guthrie was named second-team all-state and all-district for Brownstown, which won a sectional crown this year after capturing the Class 3A state championship in 2019.
Statistically, Guthrie compiled some notable numbers for this year’s Braves. In attacking, she scored with 230 kills. She made 238 digs. And as a sign that when other teams were in control of the ball, it was likely to come back at them, Guthrie recorded 460 serve receives.
None of that came to mind for Guthrie, though, when she first thought of the season just completed ending a chapter in her life and turned to thinking of embarking on the next step of competing at a higher level of volleyball.
“Being with the girls,” Guthrie said of her best memory. “I love the family feel we really had. As a senior, getting to play with those girls one last time.”
Winning with those teammates was not to be overlooked, however. The state title achieved in 2019 will always stick with her.
“You’ll never forget that,” Guthrie said.
Souvenirs from that exhilarating crown include a medal and a championship ring. The ring may not be as large as one of the colossal pieces of jewelry that football players display after capturing the Super Bowl, but it won’t be confused with a decoder ring, either.
“It’s bigger than a couple of knuckles,” Guthrie said.
After checking out other alternatives, Guthrie had no doubt the University of Indianapolis is the college for her. That was due to the campus’ appeal and the fact Indianapolis, at 71 miles distant, is so close to Brownstown, slightly more than a hour’s car drive north.
“By far, it was my favorite,” Guthrie said.