Daniel, Brink ink volleyball scholarships

Hayley Daniel and Hannah Brink came to Ranger College with two goals: Win a few volleyball games and extend their playing careers. They did way more than that. Daniel and Brink helped the Lady Rangers set a school record for wins in a season and, in doing so, proved they were among the top small college volleyball players in the country.

They also earned a ticket to college volleyball's next level.

The two Ranger College sophomores signed volleyball scholarships with larger universities on Monday, April 24, in front of their teammates in the Ranger College Board of Regents' meeting room.

"We're glad they chose to come and play here at Ranger," said Ranger College head volleyball coach Nicole Smith. "They helped set the foundation for us for years to come."

The Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference's Most Valuable Player this season, Daniel inked a deal to play at Oklahoma Baptist University. Brink signed with Lubbock Christian University.

Daniel, who transferred to Ranger from Navarro College prior to the start of the season, starred for the Lady Rangers as an outside hitter. The Edmond, Oklahoma, native led RC in kills with 418. She also posted 481 digs and finished with a conference-leading 463.5 points.

"I'm looking forward to going to Oklahoma Baptist and playing," said Daniel. "They have a good program."

At Oklahoma Baptist, Daniel will be joining a Lady Bison program that went 16-17 last season, including a 9-7 mark in the Great American Conference.

The Lady Bison compete at the NCAA Division II level.

Brink, a 6-foot standout from Aurora, Illinois, also transferred to Ranger prior to the start of the season from Navarro. A standout at the net, she finished with 233 kills, 74 digs and a team-high 118 blocks and block assists. She finished with 331.5 points.

En route to helping RC win a season-best 23 victories, Brink was named to the NTJCAC's first-team all-conference roster.

Brink said she said she chose Lubbock Christian University because she enjoyed the campus and because it allowed her a chance to connect with her faith and improve as a player.

"I think it was the right spot for me," she said.

At LCU, Brink will be joining an NCAA Division II program that went 21-9 a year ago and advanced to the semifinal round of the Heartland Conference tournament.

Daniel and Brink are one of four RC standouts expected to join the 4-year university ranks in the coming days. Sophomore setter Brianna Maxwell and outside hitter Brenlee Jones are expected to sign in the coming days.