SAND ROCK – Back in the seventh grade, playing college volleyball was about the farthest thing from Jennifer Campbell’s mind.

Campbell originally started out as a setter, and learning that position helped give her the knowledge of what it took to play at other positions on the floor.

When Campbell moved up to the varsity squad and had developed some size, the 5-foot-10 senior realized the outside hitter position was where her attributes were best suited.

The University of West Alabama in Livingston likes her attributes there as well.

Campbell signed with the school on Wednesday. She had also received interest from North Alabama, Jacksonville State, Hawaii Pacific and Shorter College.

Campbell said West Alabama just felt like the right fit for her.

“I found many of the things I love about Sand Rock there,” she said. “West Alabama’s volleyball team is strongly supported by its students and the community. The stands are always full at home games, and like Sand Rock, West Alabama has phenomenal coaches in Coach Tabitha Turner and Coach Peter Cruz. I also like West Alabama’s players. Several of them are graduating, and I hope to contribute to the team immediately.”

Campbell certainly left her mark at Sand Rock. She guided the Lady Wildcats to three straight Class 2A Final Fours. She was selected First Team All-State by the Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association her junior and senior seasons, and was a second-team selection as a sophomore.

This season, Campbell led the Wildcats (45-11) with 534 kills and holds the career record with 1,615 kills. She also posted 428 digs, which place her second all time at Sand Rock with 1,183 for her career. Campbell also had 75 aces, 45 blocks and six assists this season.

Sand Rock coach Lisa Bates said she’s proud to see Campbell reap the rewards of success, as Campbell becomes the school’s first four-year college volleyball signee.

“She’s really meant a lot to the success of our program,” Bates said. “We’ve been blessed to have her … someone with some size who can just pound the ball. She’s done a good job of putting it away.

“We’re excited about her going. Her being our first four-year (signee) says good things about our program, and I know she’s going to represent us well.”

Both Bates and Campbell said playing club volleyball for Team Sting out of Birmingham in the off-season helped her develop into the player she is today.

Campbell thanked all of her volleyball coaches for helping develop her talent.

“I feel blessed to have this opportunity, and I am thankful to have played for Coach Bates and (Sand Rock assistant) Coach (Johnny )Howell. They have taught me to love the game and follow my dreams, and they’ve always encouraged me to do this by working hard,” Campbell said. “I’ve also had the great privilege of playing for Team Sting Volleyball Club in Birmingham. Coach Julie Dailey has reinforced and expounded on the techniques that Coach Bates and Coach Howell have taught me.”

Campbell said she didn’t realize until she started playing club ball that she could play at the collegiate level.

“I knew people told me I had the ability to play in college, but I didn’t know I’d play at a four-year college anywhere,” she said. “Going through the whole recruiting process, I found out colleges wanted me to come play for them. Someone wanting you to come play for them makes you feel good.”

Bates also cited the importance of playing club ball to Campbell’s success.

“Jen’s put in the time outside of our seasons that’s made a difference,” Bates said. “She’s had lots of hours on the road that have made the difference making her so much better. Playing with Team Sting helped her a lot with exposure against good competition, and it showed she could stand out with the good competition too.”

Campbell also praised the efforts of her setters – Logan Smith and Gadsden State’s Chelsey Chambers – for making her into a better player.

“They’ve made me look good,” she said. “I realize I would not be here without the strong coaching and the hardworking teammates I’ve had here at Sand Rock.”