Blomstedt signs with Lindsey Wilson

 RED OAK — After careful consideration, Red Oak High School athlete Grace Blomstedt will be playing college volleyball for the next four years at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kent.

Blomstedt made the move official last Wednesday at Red Oak High School, when she signed her letter of intent to play for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school.

“I think it was so different and I kind of wanted to go far away and just jump into the college life,” Blomstedt said. “It was one of the two places I went that felt like home.”

Blomstedt will be majoring in communications as she aspires to one day be a broadcaster.

“That was a key factor in my decision,” she said.

Blomstedt made a visit down to the college, which is two hours northeast of Nashville in the middle of December, in between a pair of basketball games. 

 Blomstedt looks forward to the new experience and meeting new people.

“I’m looking forward to going somewhere and not knowing anyone, but it’s kind of scary at the same time. I’m kind of nervous for that, but it’s kind of exhilarating because I can be whatever I want to be when I’m down there. They don’t know what I am,” Blomstedt joked. 

Blomstedt is a three-sport star, also playing basketball and tennis, but she’ll mainly focus on volleyball.

Blomstedt has played a vital role for the Red Oak volleyball program. 

As a four-year starter for the Tigers, Blomstedt has helped Red Oak get to three straight state tournament appearances. 

The most recent appearance took place this season when Red Oak advanced all the way to the state semifinals.

In four seasons for Red Oak, Blomstedt finished with 1,039 kills, 403 total blocks and 395 digs.

The Blue Raiders play in the Mid-South Conference. In 2014, they went 35-5, including 14-0 in the Mid-South and 11-0 at home.

Lindsey Wilson made it to the NAIA National Championship tournament, but lost in the first round to Concordia University.