Junior Faith Venable first picked up volleyball when she was six and now she has orally committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Venable currently plays as a middle hitter for Pius X’s varsity volleyball team and also for Volleyball Club Nebraska in the off season.

“I’ve decided to orally commit to UNO because it’s close to home and because of the feeling I got when I stepped onto their court,” Venable said. “I first walked onto that court and felt out of place, I heard the music start playing and I realized this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Venable feels that she owes everything to Pius X head coach Katie Wenz, for always pushing her to be the best she possibly can and helping her decide on a college.

“To be honest I never really pictured myself ever coming this far,” said Venable. “I know my journey isn’t over, but my growth is amazing.”

Volleyball first began with Faith at age six with VCN and soon later school teams.

“I wish I could go back a few years and tell my younger self to keep always playing with passion,” Venable said. “It would have been nice to know that all those hours training and those late practices would be worth it in the end.”

The many hours in question were spent weight training in the gym and attending college volleyball camps.

Wenz contributes the majority of Faith’s growth to volleyball camps and training she did in the off seasons.

Several of Venable’s teammates have many great things to say about her.

“I’ve known Faith since we were little, and I’ve watched her develop into such an astounding player over the years,” junior Macy Abel said.

Abel has been right beside Faith on the court for years with them first meeting in kindergarten, she along with many others has firsthand seen growth in and outside of volleyball.

“In the three years I have known Faith, I have seen her act as a leader as soon as she steps onto the court,” senior Sami Chelsey said. “She is the spine, the backbone to the team we can always depend on her to get us out of a rut.”

With the thoughts of a college behind her Faith wants to continue her growth on the court as well as outside the court.

“My hope is that I continue to grow into the best player and person I can possibly be,” Venable said.