Scullion chooses OSU — for hoops

By Joe Scalzo

The multi-sport standout at Salem High was expected to make volleyball her college career.

Arguably the best volleyball player in the history of the Mahoning Valley finally made her college decision.

But not in the sport everyone expected.

Salem High’s Amy Scullion has verbally committed to play basketball at Ohio State.

“It definitely was a really hard decision,” said Scullion, a first team All-Ohioan in volleyball and a third team all-state selection in basketball. “It came down to Ohio State being the school I wanted to be at.

“I love the atmosphere and I love the university. I jumped at the chance.”

Scullion follows in the footsteps of her older sister Katie, who was a freshman at Ohio State this school year, and her parents, who both graduated from OSU’s optometry school.

When asked how much of a factor her sister played in the decision, Scullion smiled and said, “I think it was a bigger factor than I would like to admit. We’re pretty close and it’s definitely going to be nice to be down there with her again.”

Scullion (6-foot) can play either forward or guard on the basketball team and is an outside hitter on the volleyball team.

She averaged 17 points a game this winter for the Quakers (19-5), who lost to Canfield in the Division II district final.

She is the second Valley native from the Class of 2010 to commit to OSU in women’s basketball, joining Boardman’s Darryce Moore.

For all her success in basketball, Scullion has been considered an even better volleyball player for most of her high school career.

She helped the Quakers advanced to the Div. II state volleyball semifinals as a sophomore, then led them back to the regional semifinals last fall despite losing several players to graduation.

She also was a member of the United States Juniors Team last summer.

“She is by far the best player I’ve ever coached,” said Salem’s legendary volleyball coach, Don Conser, whose son coaches Scullion during the Junior Olympic season.

For much of her career, Scullion planned to play volleyball in college, so the decision came as a bit of a surprise.

“I love them both a lot,” said Scullion, whose father played college basketball at Mount Union. “When this opportunity [Ohio State] came along, I decided to go with it.”

Still, Scullion’s volleyball career may not be over once she leaves high school.

The NCAA will add sand volleyball — commonly called beach volleyball — for the 2010-2011 school year, something that interests her, particularly since it would be a spring sport.

scalzo@vindy.com