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Coldwater's Spencer Etzler, seated center, will attend Stanford University and play volleyball for the Cardinal next season. Seated with Spencer are parents and coaches, assistant coach Mike Etzler and head coach Nikki Etzler. Standing are brother Briggs Etzler and sister Campbell Etzler.
COLDWATER - Spencer Etzler is going from one volleyball powerhouse to another.
Fresh off winning a state championship, the Coldwater senior officially signed with Stanford University, joining a perennial national power with nine NCAA Division I national championships.
"They invited me to their camps when I was a freshman or sophomore and was contacting them during those time periods just made me fall in love with their coaching staff and the girls," said Etzler, who will major in psychology."
Getting a chance to visit the Palo Alto, California, campus added to her desire to commit.
"It's just so diverse out there. It's gorgeous," said Etzler. "I love all the people out there, too."
The Cardinal are off to another great start in their first season as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Stanford is 19-4 overall and 11-3 in the ACC heading into tonight's home match against Virginia at Maples Pavillon. Stanford is ranked seventh in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association's Division I poll.
"Stanford is one of the best college teams out there," said Etzler. "I think just having the opportunity to play out there is going to be amazing and work with the coaching staff and players is going to be great."
The move to Stanford will mean a change of positions for the versatile Etzler, who played primarily outside hitter this season but has also done setting and played all six rotations during her career. The Cardinal will look to move Etzler to the defensive position of libero, a spot that was occupied at Coldwater this season by younger sister Campbell.
"Last year I (made the transition) over to libero at Munciana (Etzler's club team in Indiana)," said Etzler. "I'll be prepared when I go out there."
The Cardinal will get one of the best ever to wear a Cavalier jersey. In her four seasons on the varsity, coached by her mom Nikki with dad Mike serving as assistant coach, Coldwater went 101-10 overall and 32-4 in the MAC, finishing second three times before this season and finishing as Division III state runner-up in 2022.
This season was magical as the Cavaliers ran the table, going 29-0 and 9-0 in the MAC en route to sweeping Marion Pleasant in three sets to win the first OHSAA Division VI state championship at the Nutter Center.
Etzler did nearly everything for the Cavaliers, ranking second in kills with 4.6 per set, leading the team with five digs per set and serving up 62 aces.
Etzler, a three-time first team All-MAC honoree, became just the fifth player to win MAC Player of the Year honors twice, taking the outright honor this season after sharing with New Bremen setter - and future Dayton Flyer - Melina Schrader last season. Etzler was also the District 8 Division VI Player of the Year and District Defensive Player of the Year as well as a first team All-Ohio selection.
"I think Coldwater has taught me to be determined in my work ethic and play as a team," said Etzler. "Just having those qualities going out to Stanford will help me."
