CANFIELD VOLLEYBALL Vertanen signs with Hartford

Vertanen holds school career records for blocks and kills.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Sometimes it takes a few months to decide on a college.
For Canfield High senior Jill Vertanen, it took a few days.
"I flew out to Connecticut for my official visit and right way I knew it was where I wanted to be," she said. "From then on, I didn't look back."
Vertanen signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball for the University of Hartford. She is believed to be the first Canfield player to earn a Division I volleyball scholarship.
"I chose the school because it's the perfect size for me," she said. "Not too big, but big enough that I can have my own space."
Atmosphere, people appealing
The Hawks went 14-16 this season, including 3-9 in the American East Conference, doubling their overall win total from the 2001 season.
"I really enjoyed speaking to the coach [Maria Stutsman y Marquez] and getting to know her on a personal basis," she said. "I love the atmosphere and the I really liked the girls on the team."
Vertanen, who also considered Dayton, Central Michigan and Denison, got to know Marquez while playing Junior Olympic volleyball in the spring.
"I'd go to tournaments around the country and those are breeding grounds for recruiting," she said. "That's where the coaches make a lot of their contacts."
Vertanen (5-feet-10) was a three-time all-district and all-Metro Athletic Conference selection. She also holds Canfield's career record for blocks and kills. She is in National Honor Society and will major in psychology at Hartford.
Vertanen, who was also a three-year letterwinner in basketball, had offers to play both basketball and volleyball, but decided to focus on one sport.
"I thought I could excel more at volleyball and when the offer came, I knew playing volleyball would be my main goal," she said. "From there, everything just fell into place."
scalzo@vindy.com