Jordan Walker signs to attend Bucknell

Jordan Walker has seemingly never backed down from a challenge.

It is what has made the Villa Angela-St. Joseph senior transform herself from a promising freshman into an elite senior outside hitter, and has pushed her academically to become one of the top students at the school.

Walker is now ready for her next challenge, and there is definitely no backing down as she signed a national letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Bucknell on Nov. 19 in the Ministry Center at the high school. 

“I visited Bucknell and I fell in love,” Walker said. “They stressed education and I loved that. I want to push myself because I know it is going to be harder at college than it is here, and while it is hard to leave this school, I am ready for a whole new challenge.”

The 6-foot standout has played volleyball since sixth grade and club volleyball since eighth grade. She is interested in studying journalism and traveling abroad after her college career is complete.

“First, I didn’t realize how hard it is to get a D-I scholarship, but I realize that I am blessed to have earned this,” Walker said. “This program (at VASJ) is very special, and Coach (Mark) Royer really pushed me. Sometimes you do things you do things you never thought you could do. He and all the girls here helped me achieve that.”

Royer said Walker has blossomed since arriving at VASJ in the fall of 2009, and has made herself into a Division I student-athlete both on and off the court.  He said every coach he knows in Northeast Ohio has raved about Walker’s prowess as a player and has earned respect across the area for her performance. 

“The transformation she has made from freshman year to now, is that she is now that player out on the court that sees things most players don’t see,” Royer said.  “Having four years with her, the overall presence and drive is what separates her. She has the heart of a lion. What she has done for our volleyball team over the past four years is incredible. She will be part of our record books for some time, And she has worked very hard for it.”

Walker was selected as a first-team all News-Herald performer and is a four-year starter for the Vikings.