Once I stepped onto the Toledo campus, I knew that was my home and the environment was one I could spend the next five years of my life in.”

Ali Ohlinger

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle volleyball program has another Division I recruit, with junior setter Alison Ohlinger announcing her decision Friday to continue her academics and athletics at the University of Toledo after she concludes her accomplished high school career this coming fall.

Ohlinger becomes the second Lady Hub volleyball player in the last three years to take her talents to the Division I level after Sylvia Hasz pledged to continue her career at Eastern Illinois University in 2022. Ohlinger currently plays for the VC United club and has spent three years with the RTHS volleyball program, with two years coming at the varsity level. 

“Toledo offers the major I’m looking for and after meeting the coaches, they have everything I could ask for,” Ohlinger said. “I’m really excited… Once I stepped onto the Toledo campus, I knew that was my home and the environment was one I could spend the next five years of my life in. I'm excited to learn a new system and to learn about the girls and how they play.”

Ohlinger has earned All-Conference First Team honors in the Interstate 8 over each of the last two seasons at RTHS. Ohlinger eclipsed 1,000 career assists during her junior season this past fall, when the talented setter recorded 474 assists along with 135 digs, 53 aces and 31 blocks. Ohlinger dished out 591 assists, 176 digs, 95 kills and 71 aces during her sophomore season. 

“Ali’s knowledge of the game is the best I have seen,” RTHS head coach Molly Sly said. “She’s able to read a play like no other player to come through Rochelle. She is so smooth on the court because of that. I’m so proud of the student-athlete she is and I am so happy for her.”

Ohlinger received Academic All-Conference recognition and was named Rochelle’s Most Valuable Player honoree during her junior season, helping lead the Lady Hubs to a 17-16 record after a 18-15-3 record during her sophomore season. Ohlinger, whose recruitment began last year, said her relationship with the Toledo coaching staff formed after a visit during her club practice at VC United. Ohlinger visited the Toledo campus twice before making her commitment.

“I’m looking to be a starter and I want to change the program,” Ohlinger said. “I want to keep developing and I want to help our team compete for a national championship. I’m hoping to run either a 5-1 or a 6-2 offense as a setter… I think my overall game has improved since my freshman year, but I’ve really grown into the setter role. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to set as a freshman, but I really want to set now and I’ve developed a lot more confidence in myself.”

Ohlinger is one of a few notable starters eligible to return for the Lady Hubs this coming fall, when Rochelle will seek out its first IHSA regional championship since 1995. Ohlinger, who said she’s considering studying either nursing or criminal law while attending Toledo, said her goals for her senior season this fall include leading Rochelle to a top-2 standing in the Interstate 8.

“Playing at Rochelle has been great since I’ve been able to play with my friends and many of them have grown up with me,” Ohlinger said. “They push and support me as much as I push and support them… A personal goal of mine is continuing to be a defensive threat, which means being better on the block and with my ball control so I can play out of system if I need to.”