IU Northwest Volleyball Signs All Area 1st Team Standout Tori Gardenhire

IUN-Tori-GardenhireLake Central Team Captain and 2015 MVP Tori Gardenhire signed with Lady RedHawks Volleyball on Thursday, January 21st, 2016. Tori chose IU Northwest because she wanted to compete at the collegiate level and stay close to home. “Volleyball has been such a huge part of my life and I was not ready to stop playing. I’m more of a home-body and I love being with my family, this was just the best fit for me in every aspect.”

With numerous accolades under her belt, Tori is going to make a great addition to the team. In the 2015 season, Tori was named team captain, MVP, All-Area 1st team from the Post Tribune and the NWI Times, All-Conference, Plymouth All-Tournament Team, and Player of the Week by the Post Tribune. Lake Central Head Coach Tina Tinberg added "Tori has had a phenomenal career with Lake Central Volleyball and has been a huge contributor in building our program. We are extremely excited that Tori has chosen to further her volleyball career playing for IUN. She is a dynamic player with great determination. I am certain she will be an asset for IUN Volleyball and make a tremendous impact. We wish her continued success.”

Tori started playing volleyball when she was 9 years old when she played recreational sand volleyball. When she tried volleyball she “instantly fell in love with it!” The original middle hitter transitioned to and outside hitter when all her teammates kept growing. Tori has played at Altitude Volleyball Club and also played for Ignite Elite Volleyball Club. Tori’s 18 Elite assistant coach, Stephanie Smith, stated “Tori will be a great fit for IUN, she is a very versatile player who will be able make a huge impact for the RedHawks.”

Tori is looking forward to meeting new people and making new friendships and IU Northwest. “I’m very excited to be starting my future, I know I’m going to do really well in college and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me!”