Dumbaugh signs to play at Ohio Valley

By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent
CNHI News Service

RUSSELL— Sarah Dumbaugh weighed several college volleyball offers. Ohio Valley University emerged as the winner.
The Russell High School senior and 16th Region Tournament Most Valuable Player signed Tuesday to attend the Division II school.
Ohio Valley is located in Vienna, W.Va., near Parkersburg, and competes in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“They contacted me about halfway through the club volleyball season,’’ Dumbaugh said. “At the time, I hadn’t heard of the school. That kind of drove me away from it.’’
Dumbaugh later decided to give Ohio Valley a look upon urging from Maren Witzel, who coaches Dumbaugh on the River Cities Thunder club team.
“I went down there for a visit and everything worked out,’’ Dumbaugh said. “Actually, I had a good feeling about it before I went.’’
Dumbaugh, who carries a 3.93 grade point average, was attracted in part by OVU’s small size and human resource management program. Ohio Valley has an undergraduate enrollment of 512 and offers a student-to-faculty ratio of 16-to-1.
“I love the atmosphere of the school in general, and the small classes,’’ said Dumbaugh, a member of the National Honor Society. “Another thing is that it’s only 2 1-2 hours away. It’s close enough that my parents (Ron and Ginny Cordle) can come.’’
During her visit, Dumbaugh practiced with some of Ohio Valley’s players.
“I should fit right in,’’ she said. “I think skill-wise, I will be fine. I know that the coach (Paul Jacoby) is definitely looking to me to step into the team with a leadership role.’’
Ohio Valley finished 10-29 last season, including a 6-11 mark in the WVIAC.
Dumbaugh, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, helped lead Russell to four consecutive district championships and back-to-back regional titles as a junior and senior.
In 2005, the Lady Devils enjoyed the winningest season in school history at 30-6-1 while advancing to the State Tournament’s Elite Eight.
“Sarah played a very key role,’’ said Russell coach Darrell Adkins. “Her presence as a middle blocker anchored our defense. She has been a good offensive player, too.’’
Dumbaugh’s career included multiple All-Area, All-Region and All-District honors.
“You hate to lose talented players that work hard and show up to play every day,’’ Adkins said. “Sarah definitely falls into that category. Kids like Sarah are why you enjoy coaching. I look for her to be a great addition to that college program.’’
Dumbaugh said it will be difficult leaving her high school teammates.
“Our volleyball team is very close,’’ she said. “Brittany Wall and I have spent so much time together the last four years. Right now, I’m a little nervous but excited to start a new chapter in my life.’’
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.