March 28, 2024
Girls Volleyball

Crystal Lake Central's Simatos finds 'perfect fit' at Bradley

Tigers libero, other athletes sign National Letters of Intent on Wednesday

Without a high school volleyball season in the fall because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal Lake Central senior Karina Simatos found the recruiting process a bit more laborious and slow moving.

“It was quite the struggle at first, it definitely made the process slower,” Simatos said. “Coaches can’t come see you play; all they can go off are phone calls and your personality through Zoom. It was hard to get to know coaches. Those relationships were kind of difficult."

That changed recently when Simatos got a phone call from Bradley women’s volleyball coach Carol Price-Torok, who saw highlights of the Tigers libero provided by Simatos’ club team, VC United.

"She saw my videos and wanted to get on the phone right away,” Simatos said. “We talked for over an hour but it seemed like 10 minutes. It was a great connection. I felt really comfortable."

Simatos found her perfect fit and announced her commitment to the Braves via Twitter on Friday. Simatos, along with Central seniors Madeline Timmerman (Eastern Michigan) and Maddy McCormick (Colorado State) signed their National Letters of Intent Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday is the first day that athletes can sign with NCAA scholarship schools (D-I and D-II) in all sports except football.

Simatos gravitated to the family-like atmosphere of the Braves – one that she said was similar to her high school experience with Central coach Lisa Brunstrum and the Tigers. Being close to home and playing in the Missouri Valley Conference will also allow her family to see her play.

“All of the programs support each other,” Simatos said. “(Coach Price-Torok) was telling me how they’ll all go to women’s basketball games, they’ll go to soccer games. They’re all there for each other. It seems like everyone has such great relationships with each other, and that was super appealing to me. I can make some really great memories there."

Simatos was also talking to Stanford, Clemson and Dartmouth. Another challenge for Simatos was submitting ACT and SAT results. Many times, the tests had to be rescheduled because of the pandemic.

Simatos, a libero, ended her junior season with a team-high 449 digs and 56 aces for the Tigers, who notched their third straight 30-win season. This year, the IHSA moved the volleyball season to the spring because of the pandemic.

“It’s going to be sad if we don’t get that state run this year,” Simatos said. “I love looking back at the videos and pictures. (Brunstrum) has built a great place here for girls to grow and develop. I really hope we get to play this year."

Getting to play volleyball at the next level is a dream come true, Simatos said.

"Getting to talk schools and getting recognized from top-tier schools ... it’s been amazing to just live that dream,” she said. “I hope that (COVID-19) is not a thing when I'm there and we have a season. I’m excited and my family is so excited. They’ve been amazing, supporting me through this.”