OLD WASHINGTON — As Sam Canner prepares to begin her senior volleyball season at Buckeye Trail, she does so having her post-graduation plans in place.

Canner, a 2018 second-team all-Ohio honoree who set the season kills mark for the Warriors last fall with 440, has decided to continue her academic and athletic careers at Western Kentucky University, a powerful NCAA Division I program located in Bowling Green.

“After my visit and elite camp, I was in love with Western Kentucky,” Canner said. “I told myself that if they gave me an offer I would, undoubtedly, take it. So, as soon as (head coach) Travis (Hudson) gave me an offer, I knew Western Kentucky was going to be my new home. I took a little bit of time to talk with my parents and then I called coach back the next day and committed.”

The Hilltoppers went 20-10 last fall, the program’s 19th straight 20-win campaign, just of five in D1 to have such a distinction. Entering last season, Western Kentucky had won seven consecutive Conference USA regular season championships and four straight conference tournament crowns.

“Western Kentucky is simply an amazing program,” Canner said.

“Coach Hudson is incredible. He was just so welcoming and made me feel like I was part of the family immediately. The same goes for (assistant coaches) Craig (Bere) and Kristi (Griffin). They are such great people.

“The campus is also beautiful. Bowling Green is a great city and it’s not too far from home. I kind of knew from the beginning Western Kentucky was the one.”

Wendy McVicker, entering her second season as Buckeye Trail head coach, is excited to see Canner make the jump to D1.

“She will be successful at the collegiate level,” she said. “She loves volleyball. She is an outstanding volleyball player. She is a great teammate and a fierce competitor.”

McVicker taught Canner in third grade and followed her up through the years as a coach, first as a JV coach her freshman year, then as assistant varsity coach two years. When Jeff Beros stepped away following the 2017 campaign, McVicker eased into her current role and her relationship with Canner reached another level.

“Sam has grown as a player in every aspect of the game,” McVicker said. “Of Course, she has made herself a great hitter and blocker, but she surprises everyone with her back row play, as well.

“She is one of our best passers and diggers. She is currently trying to perfect her jump serve.”

Canner knows she has plenty of work to do before she arrives in the Bluegrass State next year.

“I have a ton to work on in order to be successful at that level,” said the daughter of Tammy Geiser and Craig Canner and stepdaughter of Brian Geiser.

“Personally, I really want to improve my vertical by four or so inches before I head to Kentucky. I also have some issues with my swing that need to work out, along with my serve.

“I will take time, but I’m willing to work and make adjustments.”

It’s that willingness to keep honing her game that McVicker believes the Hilltoppers are getting “the complete package.”

“She makes everyone better,” she said. “The rest of the girls get to watch and learn from her daily. They also have to compete against her daily.

“She is also a very unselfish player. She loves to help others reach their potential. She works individually with any player that’s struggling with hitting or blocking.”

Canner said she’ll work even harder this fall knowing what her future has in store.

“Everyone is always watching, and I want to set an example for my peers and for younger volleyball players,” she said. “I also need to make sure I take care of my body and get into peak physical condition.”

Canner, who plans on majoring in business and possibly minoring in journalism, is eager to make everyone involved in the Buckeye Trail program proud, including McVicker, Beros and all of the other coaches she’s worked with.

“Being in such a successful program has built me into the player that I am.”