Mia Lamberti will be wearing orange and blue very soon.
The Limestone rising junior announced on social media Sunday night her verbal commitment to Illinois. She was named the 2024 Journal Star volleyball player of the year after helping lead the Rockets to a Class 3A state runner-up finish.
“Thank you to my parents, family, coaches and teammates who have helped my dream come true!” Lamberti posted, also noting her appreciation to Illinois coach Chris Tamas and his coaching staff.
During her sophomore season, the 6-foot setter/opposite hitter posted 455 kills, 451 assists, 180 digs, 64 aces and 11 blocks as Limestone won 32 matches as well as was the Mid-Illini Conference tied-for-second-place finisher. She was named all-Mid-Illini first team, Champaign News-Gazette all-state first team and Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association second-team all-state.
In the state title match, Lamberti nearly recorded a triple-double with 16 kills, 14 assists and six digs during the three-set defeat to Mahomet-Seymour.
Lamberti will become the second JS POY to play in the Big Ten Conference, joining Purdue junior-to-be and three-time POY honoree Kenna Wollard of Illinois Valley Central.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Journal Star volleyball player of the year commits to Big Ten Conference school
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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