Maddy Payne sits with her family and coaches during her signing with Bethel University to continue her volleyball and academic careers. (Photo provided)

NAPPANEE – Not much has gotten in the way of Maddy Payne on the volleyball court this season. A college decision hasn’t, either.

Payne made her decision on not only a sport but a school when she declared her intentions to play volleyball for Bethel University. The senior middle hitter for the NorthWood Panthers has been a coveted commodity in both volleyball and basketball.

Payne has been a major asset to the 31-3 Panthers this season. Heading into the regional round this weekend in the IHSAA state tournament, Payne leads the Red Slam with 378 kills and 94 blocks. Payne has helped the Panthers to three tournament titles, a Northern Lakes Conference title and most recently the school’s first sectional title since 2015, claiming the Wawasee Sectional.

“At the beginning of the season I hadn’t made my decision yet, but halfway through I decided with my parents,” Payne said of her choice of Bethel for volleyball. “We prayed about it for a little bit and I felt like God said Bethel is where I needed to be. I said yes and let it be. I’m really excited for the next part of my life. It’s made it a lot easier to just relax, play with my teammates this year and make sure I finish up strong with my grades.”

In her four years of varsity play for NorthWood volleyball, the team has compiled 108 wins to just 26 losses. For her career through last weekend, Payne has piled up 1,288 kills, 360 blocks, 230 digs and 101 aces among her work.

Payne is a four-time All-Northern Lakes Conference performer, was named to the Indiana Junior All-Star team, and away from NorthWood, was part of a NIVA Juniors club team that went 9-2 at the prestigious USAV Nationals to finish among the top clubs in the country.

Payne has also excelled for the Black Swish at NorthWood. In basketball, the All-NLC performing Payne averaged 12 points and five rebounds a night as a junior and was a participant in the 2019 Michiana McDonald’s All-Star Game.

The daughter of John and Dawn Payne, Maddy is also a four-year Scholar Athlete with a 3.90 GPA.

Bethel is currently 11-20 on the season for coach Katie Weiss, who is in her third year with the Pilots.