NILES — Coming off the most successful season in school history, five Niles seniors will play at the collegiate level next year.

Signing national letters of intent prior to the Christmas break were Bella Rasler, Breanna Love, Carly Barton and Jora Barnes.

Rasler is headed to Grand Valley State University to continue her academic and athletic career, while Love and Barton will play at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Barnes signed with Glen Oaks Community College.

Aubrey Nichols will play at Lake Michigan College as a walk-on.

“I am beyond proud of my entire team and their accomplishments this season,” Niles coach Jenny Nate said. “The fact that we have four seniors signed to play college volleyball as of today, as well as a fifth senior who is walking on to play, is amazing and well-deserved. 

“The leadership and work ethic of my seniors and their ability to set high goals, such as playing college level volleyball, is an amazing example to our team, our program and to our entire community — especially our younger Niles volleyball players who can see from the hard work and dedication of our varsity players, that anything is possible with hard work, focus, and determination.”

Niles won the school’s first-ever Class B district and regional championships to advance to the state quarterfinals in East Lansing.

The Vikings were defeated in five sets by state runner-up Lake Odessa Lakewood.

“They continuously set a precedence, and a standard of excellence for our players that will extend far beyond the court,” Nate said. “It has been my privilege and honor to have been their coach, and I look forward to watching them continue to accomplish their goals and dominate at the collegiate level as well as throughout the rest of their lives.”