Lady Hub senior Allysa Harding sought out advice from two people close to her when decided where she would spend the next phase of both her academic and athletic careers. 

Harding contemplated attending either Concordia University Chicago in River Forest or Northern Illinois University. But after consoling with her mother Julia and her middle school teacher Natalie Schulte, who Harding said has been an important role model for her, Harding decided on Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Harding will study elementary education while playing volleyball, and she signed her National Letter of Intent during Rochelle Township High School’s Signing Day Ceremony this past week.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new teammates and new people,” Harding said. “I’m looking forward to playing a different style of volleyball at a new level… I thought their volleyball program had a lot of team bonding and it looked like a lot of fun. I like their style of coaching and the way their coach pushes their players.”

Harding played four years of volleyball at RTHS while also participating in both basketball and track. She began playing volleyball for roughly nine years, and her first volleyball experience came in fourth grade, when she stepped in to play because her elementary school didn’t have enough older kids to fill the team.

“My mom told me that I should try it so I just played,” Harding said. “I enjoy the intensity of the game. Every play matters and you have to be able to shake off any mistakes.”

Harding played both setter and right side throughout her time with the Lady Hubs. Harding spent her first high school season on the freshman team before moving up to the sophomore level and joining the varsity team for her junior and senior seasons. Harding’s serving and passing abilities made her a prominent role player with the Rochelle team this past fall.

“I like to think of myself as a hard worker and a reliable teammate,” Harding said. “A lot of my improvements have been mental and a result of pushing through. My whole team has helped me a lot, and Jacie Wyatt really helped me push myself to get through everything on and off the court.”

Harding has spent the last two seasons on the Lady Hubs varsity basketball team and she’s competed in the throwing events for the Rochelle varsity girls track and field team as well. She said she was motivated to pursue elementary education by her mother and her middle school teacher Natalie Schulte, and when she steps on the volleyball court, she said her four years of playing at RTHS will help prepare her for the college game.

“I enjoyed seeing all different types of players because we always found ways to come together,” Harding said. “I’ve made a lot of good friends through sports. The coaching style at Rochelle is that, if you put in your effort, you will see the outcome you want. If you keep working and pushing yourself, you’ll get where you want to be.”