Alicyn Croley, Transy Pioneers making history in NCAA Div. III tournament

The Whitley County Lady Colonels volleyball team just recently wrapped up a history-making season, winning 50th District and 13th Region championship titles and defeating Wolfe County in the opening round of the 2022 KHSAA state championship tournament.

Now that the high school season is complete, the volleyball Colonels can turn their attention to the college scene, where one of their own is helping to make history of a different kind as a member of the Transylvania University Pioneers.

Former Lady Colonel Alicyn Croley, currently a sophomore at Transy, is in Pittsburgh this week, where she and her teammates are taking part in Elite Eight competition in this year’s NCAA Div. III national championship tournament.

“Transy has only been to the NCAA tournament four times, counting this season,” Croley explained. “And this is the program’s first time ever advancing past the first round of competition.”

Transylvania is coming into the Elite Eight with a season record of 28 wins and 5 losses, having won the 2022 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship, and besting three top-tier teams in the regional round of this year’s NCAA tourney.

“I can’t emphasize enough the closeness of our team,” Croley said of the Pioneers. “We brought everyone back from last year, losing no seniors, and we have all just been really honest with ourselves in setting goals for what we wanted to accomplish this year.”

Croley explained that, after some early-season disappointments, the team has banded together to go 26-1 since Sept. 9. Their last loss occurred at Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH back on Sept. 20.

Next up for the Pioneers will be a meeting with New York University in the Elite Eight round of the 2022 NCAA Div. III tournament. The game is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 16, in Pittsburgh.

NYU is coming into the Elite Eight with a 28-6 record, placing third in this year’s University Athletic Association Championships. Transy defeated the 2022 UAA champions, Emory University, in a thriller last Friday, Nov. 11.

“Personally, I think it is about the best that we could’ve got,” Croley said of drawing NYU in the next round of play. “They are a good team, but we do share a common opponent that we were able to beat recently.”

“None of this could have happened for me without the support from my family,” Croley said when asked if she would like to address her fans and supporters back home in Williamsburg. “They don’t miss a game, and are probably the biggest Transy fans in the world at this point. Everyone’s support at home just really means a lot to me, and I greatly appreciate it.”

Finally, when asked to comment on her old team’s recent regional championship win and success at the state tournament, Croley said, “It was absolutely incredible. I really wanted to make it to the state game, but I had practice.”

“I just think it is great for Whitley County to be getting the respect that they deserve in the volleyball world. The program has produced some really great athletes over the years, and I am really happy to see the team succeeding like this. It’s huge.”

For more information on Transylvania University athletics and NCAA Div. III athletics, visit www.transysports.com and www.ncaa.org.