By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For as long as she can remember, Makinsey Jones has been a Kansas State fan.
Now the Topeka West senior volleyball star is set to become a member of the Wildcat family.
Topeka West senior Makinsey Jones (10), celebrating a kill earlier this season, has made an oral commitment to Kansas State's volleyball program. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Jones, a star 6-foot-1 hitter, confirmed to TopSports.news Tuesday night that she has made an oral commitment to Suzie Fritz's K-State program and plans to sign with the Wildcats during the NCAA signing period.
"My family went there so I've always liked K-State and I feel like it's a really good family there and everybody there, they're so welcoming,'' Jones said. "When I'm at West and I'm playing, that's how I feel like it is at K-State.''
Kansas State made an offer in July for Jones to join the program as a walk-on before recently upgrading that to a scholarship offer.
"I went there on a visit last week and I committed last Friday,'' Jones said.
Jones said she had also been considering NCAA Division II power Washburn University as well as Hutchinson Community College, but when Kansas State offered a scholarship that sealed the deal.
"I had some other options, but I feel like that (a scholarship) is what really helped,'' Jones said.
Topeka West senior Makinsey Jones, a returning All-Shawnee County first-team volleyball pick, has orally committed to Kansas State. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
As a junior, Jones earned first-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition after helping lead the Chargers to a breakthrough 27-10 season.
Jones registered 246 kills on the season for Topeka West while also finishing with 51 solo blocks as the Chargers put together what is believed to be the best season in school history.
With her college choice out of the way Jones said she's now looking forward to making the most of her senior year at Topeka West.
"It's a relief,'' she said. "It feels like now I can breathe and I can relax a little more.
"I want to make first team again and since we're in a new league (United Kansas Conference) it might be a little more challenging.''
Jones, also a Class 5A state medalist in track and field as a junior, said she also wants to continue to make improvements in her game as she prepares for college volleyball.
"I just want to be more aware on the court and with my placement,'' Jones said..
