The dream began for Kara Overholt as a small child, the idea that someday the imaginary competitions in her backyard might lead to real contests at the college level.
At times that vision seemed farfetched, out of reach, perhaps too much for even someone as rooted in faith as Overholt to achieve.
But as of Friday morning, the dream is reality.
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As family and her Polk County volleyball teammates watched, Overholt sat in the school library and officially signed a letter-of-intent to attend and play volleyball at Coker College, a Division II school in Hartsville, S.C. She will join older brothers Derrick and Andre as college athletes in the family, a family that, along with older sister Krista, has been part of Polk County High School athletics for a decade.
“It’s so exciting,” Overholt said. “As a little girl I used to take a volleyball and hit it against the wall and dream about playing college volleyball one day. I didn’t think I could make it come true, but I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to continue my education and play volleyball.”
Overholt is the ninth Polk County senior to sign a college athletic scholarship this school year. A look at all nine signings
The Western Highlands Conference player of the year, Overholt talked to a handful of colleges throughout the fall, but at times it appeared an opportunity wouldn’t be there for her to take her talents to a university. Then, earlier this year, Polk County assistant soccer coach Will Pack mentioned Coker to Overholt, saying he’d heard that new head coach Julia Rafalowski might be looking for a setter. Rafalowski also called Polk County head coach Molly Hill to talk about Overholt, who then reached out to Rafalowski. Overholt visited the campus in April and committed soon thereafter.
“There was a point this past year when different things were not going my way, and at that point I thought it was not going to happen,” Overholt said. “Then Coker came up, and everything fell into place.
“I absolutely love who (Rafalowski) is as a person and what she is trying to do to turn the program around. I’m really excited about what she brings to the program.”
Rafalowski takes over a Coker team that struggled to a five-win season last fall. As she looks to revitalize the program, Hill thinks Overholt will be a perfect part of that process.
“I think she will be able to take her competitiveness and her willingness to learn to the next level,” said Hill, who played college volleyball at Lees-McRae. “Her speed and overall play will improve as well.
“She is already so sports-minded. She always knows exactly where she is supposed to be on the court. I think her volleyball IQ is so high. Just her overall spirit – she is such a good kid. She has her head on straight and knows exactly what she needs to do. Not to mention she is a stud athlete.”
Overholt has a few items still on her Polk County plate, namely serving as the Wolverines’ goalkeeper as Polk looks to push deep into the state 2A soccer playoffs and then graduation in June. But soon thereafter that childhood dream will spring to life, and she can’t wait.
“I’m so excited and so blessed to be able to continue,” Overholt said.
