WCHS senior Katie Swanson is continuing her volleyball and academic careers at Grace College. Seated with Katie are parents Patti and Jim Swanson. In the back row are brother Tim Swanson, WCHS head coach Rick Ashmore, Grace College head coach Katie Van Hofwegen and brother John Swanson. (Photo provided)

WARSAW – The Swanson family name has been synonymous with Grace College and its athletic programs. That will continue as Warsaw Community High School senior Katie Swanson has signed her National Letter of Intent with Grace to continue her volleyball and academic career.

Swanson starred for a Warsaw program that broke a 14-year sectional title drought this past fall. The Tigers won the Elkhart Memorial Sectional for the first time since 2004, adding a 12th sectional championship to its list of historical feats. The Tigers also finished 29-8 overall and 6-1 in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Swanson herself played some of her best ball of the year in the state tournament, registering 40 kills in the sectional and regional games, including her only double-figure kill games of the year, coming in wins against Memorial (10) and Northridge (11) at the Memorial Sectional and 11 more against Michigan City in the regional.

The outside hitter for coach Rick Ashmore’s Tigers piled up 208 kills and 59 blocks as a senior, and added 86 aces and 85 digs to her accomplishments. For her career, Swanson finished with 421 kills and 130 blocks in three years of varsity service. She was chosen as First Team All-Northern Lakes Conference as a senior.

Katie Swanson completes the chain as the third of three Swanson kids to continue to Grace for athletes. Older brothers John (2017 graduate) and Tim (2019 graduate) played in the Grace men’s basketball program, and dad, Jim, is a former staff member with the institution.

Grace’s volleyball program went 22-17 last season and 11-7 in the Crossroads League. Coached by Katie Van Hofwegen, the Lancers finished its season with two wins at the NCCAA National Championships. Former WCHS standouts and Swanson teammates Hanna Leach and Caroline Mayer are currently on the Grace volleyball roster.