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MUSCATINE, Iowa – Playing club volleyball around the Midwest, Muscatine High School senior Steph Nagy captured the attention of a Division I East Coast school.

Tuesday, Nagy signed to play volleyball for Rider University out of Lawrenceville, N.J.

It was her club volleyball experience that got Rider’s attention.

“I played for the Iowa City Rockets club volleyball,” Nagy said. “We play tournaments a couple of hours away from us and, when we went to Omaha, they saw me  playing there.

“Also, one of the club team members (Haley Wilson of Williamsburg) is also going there. She told them, ‘if you are looking for a middle (hitter) you should check Steph out.’”

Nagy said she went out to visit for two days and a night and really liked the experience.

“The girls on the team are really nice,” Nagy said, “and I like the coach. I like the coaching style.”

Rider finished 9-13 last year, ending the season on a nine-game losing streak. That didn’t deter Nagy from signing with the program.

“They had a growing year last year,” Nagy said. “They are bringing in four freshmen and graduated four. Emily (Ahlquist) has been coach there for 10 years. It was a building year, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m going in with a good attitude.”

Playing for Muscatine’s only second team to be ranked in volleyball, Nagy helped lead the Muskies to the Class 4A regional semifinals before bowing out in five games against Iowa City High.

The decision on schools for Nagy came down to nearby Coe College and Rider.

“It basically came down to Coe or Rider,” Nagy said, “but Rider is Division I and Coe is Division III. Both schools academically are top notch. Rider is on the East Coast and I thought that would be a cool experience to have for college. I really liked the coach at Coe, too.”

Nagy, a 4.0 student and one of Muscatine High School’s valedictorians, said she will major in   biology with an emphasis on pre-med.

“It’s kind of scary,” Nagy said of making the decision. “Turning in stuff, now it’s actually happening. I’ve been looking for a school for about a year now and this is really reassuring,  knowing that Rider is a good fit for me.

“I will have the chance to play really good volleyball.”

Nagy credits all of her previous coaches for assisting her reach this point.

“I want to thank YSF (Youth Sports Foundation), the middle school, high school programs, Pearl City Power Club as well as the Iowa City Rockets for helping me along,” Nagy said. “I wouldn’t be able to play Division I volleyball without everyone’s support.”