After concluding her four-year career at West, volleyball standout Madison Dillow has decided to continue her career at the collegiate level.
On Tuesday, Dillow signed with Shawnee State University. She chose SSU over Kentucky Christian University.
“It’s closer to home and I loved the girls on the team,” Dillow said. “It’s just a really good team to be with.”
Dillow admitted she was a fan of the team camaraderie.
“I like it because it feels like a team atmosphere, no one is singled out,” Dillow said. “It’s like one big family. I noticed it as soon as I came in. They all worked together and I could just tell they all loved being together, which is what I liked the most.
“At first I was nervous but they made me feel welcomed and helped me with stuff I needed to do. I just felt really welcomed there.”
Dillow admitted the atmosphere resembled that of the Senators, which was a major factor.
“I like it because it feels like a team atmosphere, no one is singled out,” Dillow said. “It’s like one big family. I noticed it as soon as I came in. They all worked together and I could just tell they all loved being together, which is what I liked the most. They all play together. They love to joke and have fun. It makes me feel like I’m playing at West but just with different girls. I loved it.
“At first I was nervous but they made me feel welcomed and helped me with stuff I needed to do. I just felt really welcomed there.”
Dillow was intimidated at first, when she began participating in recruiting practices with the Bears, but she’s grateful for the experience.
“It was a bit terrifying, going to the recruiting practices and playing against players more advanced,” Dillow said. “I played against girls who are currently playing at Shawnee. It was just so much quicker. The pace was just so much faster. It was awesome to get to experience that. It was a wonderful experience.”
Once Dillow was offered a chance to play at the collegiate level, she was overcome with emotions but quickly turned her attention to the task at hand — preparing for her freshman campaign.
“It’s just one of those surreal feelings,” Dillow said. “It’s like, ‘I’m actually going to college to play sports for four more years.’ It’s just crazy. You feel so overwhelmed with joy, but you’re just ready to get at it and start playing. I’m already ready, as soon as I can, I want to get at it and start.”
Now that she’s a member of the Bears, Dillow admitted she wasn’t always sure if she’d have the opportunity to play collegiate ball.
“At first, no I really didn’t, but I just told myself to keep working hard,” Dillow said. “I worked everyday, nothing but volleyball. I also started playing travel ball and communicated everyday with the girls. I went to every single recruiting practice that they had and I worked on the things they told me to work on. I worked full force at this just to get where I wanted too.
“It paid off. It honestly paid off. Hard work truly pays off in the long run.”
Dillow believes her path is an example for the current Senator players who aspire to play collegiate sports.
“I want these girls to be able to look at me and realize they can make it if they work hard,” Dillow said. “I want them to work as hard as they possibly can. I didn’t think it was possible and it honestly was because hard work does pay off. I want those girls to work hard, and if that’s their sport and if that’s want they want to play in college, then do not give up. It’s all about communication with the college and working hard.”
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