Noel to play softball, volleyball at Cottey

Kenlie Noel excelled at multiple sports in high school and she plans on doing the same in college.

Noel, a senior at Siloam Springs, signed Wednesday to play both softball and volleyball at Cottey College in Nevada, Mo.

Noel has participated in four sports during her senior year at Siloam Springs, playing volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring, along with remaining a cheerleader year-round.

"This the first time I've had an athlete sign in two sports," Siloam Springs softball coach Scott Wright said. "I'll tell you it just speaks to her character and the quality of her athleticism, the fact that she can manage all the things that she does."

Noel's best sport though has been softball and she had planned all along to play in college. Playing volleyball in college came as a bit of a surprise.

"Whenever I heard the softball coach at Cottey was talking to the volleyball coach for me, then it was like OK, this could help me get to college and even further my career in volleyball," Noel said.

Noel played middle blocker for the Lady Panthers last season and helped the volleyball team advance to the Class 6A state semifinals.

In softball, Noel is a natural outfielder but has been forced to place several different positions -- including pitching and catcher -- for the Lady Panthers this season due to personnel.

"Right now we have her playing pitcher-catcher obviously with the situation that we're in, and she does those well," Wright said. "That just shows you her all-around ability. When she gets to the college level as an outfielder she will be outstanding."