Photo: Northwest Mississippi outside hitter Cristen Cleveland (center) with coaches Allison Burchyett and David Culver. (Credit: nwccrangers.com)
Northwest Mississippi Community College volleyball outside hitter Cristen Cleveland will take her talents to the four-year level next fall, as the sophomore from Hernando officially signed with Lyon College on Wednesday morning, Nov. 29.
“I have been blessed to be a part of the Northwest volleyball program over the last two years,” Cleveland said. “I am so grateful for the support of my teammates and coaches, and also for the support of my family during this process.”
Cleveland made her mark during her two seasons at Northwest, helping the Lady Rangers to the 2022 Region 23 Play-In Championship and back-to-back winning seasons. She leaves Northwest as the all-time leader in digs (560) and service aces (134), while also leading the team with 88 service aces this season.
During the 2023 campaign, Cleveland ranked second on the team with 396 digs and third in kills, earning 260 on the season. Her efforts on the court helped the Lady Rangers compile a 28-17 overall record, the most wins recorded in a single season for Northwest.
“Cristen was very instrumental in helping us to a region title as a freshman and our 28-win season this year,” said Northwest volleyball coach Allison Burchyett. “We counted on her a lot for both offense and defense. She was a quiet leader, but she always came ready to work and she was someone that we could count on, both as a leader and a teammate.”
Cleveland is the first four-year signee from the 2023 season and the fifth in the program’s short four-year history.
A member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Lyon College is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Lady Scots finished 19-18 overall and 10-8 in the SLIAC, and advanced to the USCAA Championship match against the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
