Pictured, in front from left, Lorene Teel, Caylie Teel and Bruce Teel. In back, Tippecanoe Valley Athletic Director Duane Burkhart, Grace head coach Andria Harshman, Valley head coach Mallory Eaton and Valley assistant AD Scott Smith. (Photo by Nick Goralczyk)

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley volleyball standout Caylie Teel has chosen to take her talents just up the road. Saturday afternoon the Lady Viking senior signed to continue her volleyball career with Grace College.

Teel finished her senior season by setting new school records for kills per season (429) and highest hitting percentage (.330). She also received a first team all-conference nod in the Three Rivers Conference.

Valley fans will certainly enjoy having Teel so close to home next fall, and it seems that proximity played a big part in the senior’s decision.

“There were a few other options, but Grace was just the right fit for me,” Teel stated. “It’s close to home and all of the pieces just seemed to fit with Grace when I was making my decision.”

Teel has enjoyed success as an athlete in her time at Valley, continuing to play for a successful program was another big piece that Grace and head volleyball coach Andria Harshman made available.

“Andria (Harshman) is a great coach and she has a really good program there,” remarked Teel. “Their success had a lot to do with my decision. I didn’t really want to play for a team that wasn’t doing so hot. I’ve known Andria and the program for a long time and I know she has done great things. That level of comfort made my decision a lot easier.”

Teel says she will commute next year, but that won’t stop here from being active on the Winona Lake campus. Teel will be the only local player on the roster next year, leaving her as the one with the most knowledge of the area.

“One of the girls on Grace’s team now was actually on my club team,” said Teel, “We talked about how I could pretty much be everybody’s personal tour guide of the area next year.”

Getting that local connection was a big deal for Harshman.

“We definitely have national data base that we really pursue for our roster,” Harshman began. “So, to get an area player like Caylie is really vital to the program. What it brings is that community support. A local kid like Caylie and the level of play that she has had, she’ll bring in that crowd for us that, really, will be an exciting environment for her to be in close to home.”