How Magaly Lemus rose to Division I volleyball player, and where she found a future

A force at the net and a force in the paint, West Ottawa's Magaly Lemus knew she would have two choices to make when she was looking at schools - which school and which sport.

Lemus, a junior multi-sport star, has committed to Cleveland State for volleyball, earning a spot at the NCAA Division I ranks.

"When looking into colleges there were things that were really important to me like the distance from home and size of the school," Lemus said. "CSU checks both of the boxes in what I wanted. What made CSU the one for me was the amazing coaching staff and the girls on the team. Relationships are really important to me, and when I got there, I felt very welcomed and like I would fit in just right."

Lemus, who led the OK Red in rebounding the past two years in basketball, transformed herself into a blocking force on the volleyball court.

She is looking to continue to improve her all-around game.

"This opportunity is huge not only for me, but for my family as well," Lemus said. "My mom is a single mother and has always supported me and dream to play at the higher level, so it means a lot to know that we did it together. I am also first generation American so I will be the first to go to college. It makes me feel good that I am making the sacrifices my family before made worth it."

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.