Sun staff
Milford High School announced that senior volleyball player Rachael Sullivan signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her studies and playing career at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus next year during the early signing period.
“I’m so proud of her because of how hard that she’s worked,” Milford head volleyball coach Lauren Cooper said of her right-side hitter. “I think it goes to show how much passion she has and being with her for so long — I coached her when she was 13 — I’ve seen her grow and it’s been an awesome experience.”
Sullivan, a 6-foot senior, led the Lady Eagles to a 17-8 record and a third-place finish in Milford’s inaugural season in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
Sullivan and her teammates advanced all the way to their sectional final after defeating Fairfield and Anderson in the first two rounds of the postseason tournament. The Lady Eagles eventually fell to district finalists McAuley in straight sets.
During her senior season, Sullivan played in 76 games and was second in the ECC in kills with 235, just two shy of tops in the league. She also had 17 assists, 26 blocks, 24 service aces and 212 digs.
“Rachael is one of those players that hates to lose,” Cooper said in describing Sullivan’s style of play. “She will do whatever it takes to win. For instance, if I needed her to take over on serve-receive, she would just go do it because she knew that’s what she needed to do, so she would do it. Her level of confidence in herself and knowing that she could get that crucial point when she needed it is huge for her. That determination and confidence that she has really pulled through for her, just knowing that she can get it done.”
Sullivan was named to the First Team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference following her senior year as well as Third Team All-City. She was also voted “Best Offense” by her teammates and coaches.
Sullivan played club for the Cincy Classics on the 18 Black team under coach John Spinney.
The Ohio Dominican Panthers are coming off of a 13-16 season that saw the team go 7-11 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
While studying in Columbus, Sullivan pursue a major in the business field.