Toole inks with SAGU

Brittani Toole signs with Southwestern Assembly of God University Tuesday. Also pictured are her parents, Eugene and Rhonda Toole, and (back) Whitehouse athletic director Randy McFarlin, SAGU coach Hank Moore and Lady Cat head coach Cheryl Till. In addition to being named MVP on the All East Texas team, Toole was co-MVP of district 12-4A and first-team All State.

East Texas' most valuable volleyball player will still be in the neighborhood when she suits up to play this fall. Whitehouse senior Brittani Toole has signed with Waxahachie's Southwestern Assembly of God University, a Division I school and member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

"We'll be looking for Brittani to come in as a freshman and probably start," said SAGU coach Hank Moore. "She'll be replacing a three-time all-conference player."

As a middle blocker, Toole led her team to a 24-9 season and a bi-district championship, racking up 491 kills, 76 blocks, 404 service points and 55 aces.

"I've been looking forward to signing somewhere for four years now, and I've been working on getting a scholarship," said Toole. A self-proclaimed "Assembly of God girl," Toole first learned about SAGU through her church many years ago and began looking at the school in earnest when volleyball season was in swing.

"I'm very excited Brittani has found a new home and a place to play volleyball with an atmosphere she feels extremely comfortable in," said Whitehouse head coach Cheryl Till. "She's been a very exciting player for Whitehouse, and we expect her to do the same thing at Southwestern."

"I think this will be a perfect fit for Brittani," added Moore. "We're a Christian university, and we're looking for more than just good athletes."

Toole thanked Coach Till and assistant coach Stacey Hendrix for their guidance and support both on the court and off.

"We want to thank this school for the opportunities given to Brittani to push the limits and do the things she's done," added dad Eugene Toole. "She came to this decision on her own, and we're very, very proud of her."