West Ottawa’s Raegan Lantz chose Miami (Ohio) for volleyball

On Apr 19, 2022

West Ottawa's Raegan Lantz poses for a portrait Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, at Zeeland East High School. Lantz is one of three players named player of the year.

Raegan Lantz proved to be one of the top volleyball players in the state the past two years at West Ottawa.

With one more season to go, her potential remains tremendous.

Her dominant season got plenty of notice this year, with offers flooding in from schools across the country.

Lantz made her decision on Monday, verbally committing to accept a volleyball scholarship at Miami (Ohio) an NCAA Division I program in the Mid-American Conference.

“I chose Miami for a number of reasons,” Lantz said. “I really connected with the coaches and the players. Also, my academics are really important to me, and the reputation of their business school was a big plus, not to mention the campus is beautiful.”

Lantz is the second all-state player in recent years to choose Miami. Zeeland East graduate Sophie Riemersma just finished her senior year with the RedHawks.

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During Riemersma’s time in Miami, the RedHawks won the MAC Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2017.

Lantz is hoping to help the team return to championship form.

“This opportunity means so much to me because this is something I have dreamed about since eighth grade and now that dream is coming true,” Lantz said. “I hope to excel on and off the court while I am there. It is a huge goal of mine to become an All-American during my college career and I am going to work really hard to get there.”

Lantz, a junior middle hitter at West Ottawa, totaled 404 kills, 147 digs, 149 blocks and 29 aces.

“Raegan is the heartbeat of our offense. Her energy, sheer competitiveness and pure power give the team the push it needs on a game-to-game basis,” West Ottawa coach Kaitlyn Lawton said after the season. “Raegan’s passion for the game and her excitement for her teammates’ success is unparalleled.”