Fitch's O'Patchen heads off to Akron

The four-year starter earned a full scholarship to play for the Zips.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- There was a time when Fitch High senior Caitlin O'Patchen wondered if she'd have to choose between a college volleyball career and attending the University of Akron.
Now she won't.
The 5-foot-10 middle hitter earned a full volleyball scholarship to play for the Zips, signing her national letter-of-intent on Tuesday.
"If I wasn't going to play volleyball in college -- and I probably was going to play -- that [Akron] was the first school of my choice," O'Patchen said. "When they offered me a full ride, that made my decision pretty easy."
O'Patchen was a four-year starter for the Falcons, helping them win Division I district titles her freshman and junior seasons.
Played at state level
Her freshman team advanced to the state semifinals, falling to Cincinnati Ursuline Academy 15-1, 15-3 in Fitch coach Tom Case's final season.
"Unfortunately, I peaked too early," joked O'Patchen, whose older sister, Cara, was an assistant on the 2003 team. "I wish we could go back and [play that game] again. I think we could have played better."
Case's oldest daughter, Ashlie, and former Boardman standout Mara Capraruolo have played volleyball at Akron in recent years.
"I liked how it wasn't too close to home but it's not too far," said O'Patchen, who earned first team all-Federal League honors the past two seasons. "I've played J.O. [Junior Olympic volleyball] a lot in Akron so I know my way around and I really like the campus."
Zips coach Mike Sweitzer told O'Patchen in January that he was likely to give her a scholarship offer. She received the formal offer on her unofficial visit in March, which she accepted immediately.
Standout in classroom
O'Patchen, who has a 3.9 grade point average in honors classes at Fitch, plans to major in education. She said not playing college volleyball was never much of an option.
"I just love everything about [the sport]," she said. "I've been playing since I was in fourth grade, so I can't picture myself not playing.
"I think [college volleyball] is going to be a lot different, just a lot more intense. They're a lot more serious. I'm excited about the travel and it's fun to know you're going to be playing a good team every night."
scalzo@vindy.com