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"People" signs with Henderson State

Coffeyville Community College volleyball player Tagata Fo'a recently signed a letter-of-intent with Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  Henderson State is a NCAA Division II institution in the Gulf South Conference.

Fo'a, a setter, led the Ravens in assists in 2007.  Fo'a, a sophomore from Pago Pago, American Samoa, was also named honorable mention all-conference following the season. 

"Henderson State will be getting lots of leadership and enthusiasm," said Coffeyville volleyball coach Delice Downing.  "She's offensive minded and she knows when to take control of the game."

Fo'a, who is known as "People" on the CCC campus, visited Henderson State in February.
 

Tagata Fo'a and Delice Downing
Tagata Fo'a signs her letter-of-intent with Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  Coffeyville head volleyball coach Delice Downing is pictured with Fo'a.
"They have my major," said Fo'a. "And I like the coach and the team."

Henderson State's head volleyball coach is Rhonda Thigpen who led the Lady Reddies to a 22-10 mark last season.  Fo'a also visited Jacksonville University in Florida and Tarleton State University in Texas. 

"I think Coach Thigpen and Henderson State are blessed to have Tagata because her work ethic and drive can never be replaced," said Downing.

Henderson State will see a much more mature player than the one who arrived on the CCC campus in the fall of 2006, according to Downing.

"She was shy, wouldn't talk, and was naive," said Downing.  "Now, she speaks her mind and runs our team on the floor.  She's grown a lot."

Fo'a gives much of the credit to her maturation to Coach Downing.  "She helped me grow up as a person and player," said Fo'a.  "She's like my older sister."

"I'll represent Red Raven volleyball at Henderson State, and I really want to thank everybody for their support and my friends."

In her native language of Samoan, Fo'a expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to continue her playing career: "Faaretai i lea atua mo lenei faamanuiga.  Alofaaga mo ou matna peleina."

In English, it translates to: "Thank God for this blessing and also my parents, I love them so much." 

No wonder "People" is loved by her coach and teammates at CCC.