Sometimes playing a specialized position in volleyball can be a hinderance when it comes to finding a spot at the next level.
Most schools only carry one or two setters and one or two liberos (defensive specialists), if any.
So Douglas senior Mysta Townsell, a first-team All-Sierra League libero last fall, was willing to take just about whatever she could find.
That included an offer from one school to play volleyball in the fall and tennis (a sport she'd never competed in interscholastically) in the spring.
And then a Division I scholarship fell right out of the sky for her, due in large part to her specialized skills.
Townsell signed with Chicago State University, a member of the Great West Conference, on Thursday.
"It was kind of a long shot," Townsell said. "I was looking all over the place, hopefully somewhere far east of here, and I chose Chicago State just to pick a school.
"They have a growing program and they needed a libero. I contacted them and the coach started working on getting me some help to get there."
The signing brought an end to a years-long process that Townsell said had her convinced she'd be going somewhere else several times.
"I've gone through different schools and there were a couple where I thought I might have ended up, but it didn't work out.
"I was starting to get a little frustrated, because I'd be pretty set to go to one place and then the next day everything would be different."
Among the finalists were Virginia Union, Mount Olive and Morgan State. At Virginia Union, Townsell would have ended up playing both volleyball and tennis.
Chicago State came into the picture in February.
"The coaching staff didn't know what they were getting in me, but they saw some film," Townsell said. "They had to talk with the athletic director about arranging a scholarship package.
"But, they needed a libero and it seemed like a good fit. My parents know people in the area who were able to check out the campus for us. I'm going for a visit next month."
The Cougars are in the midst of quite a rebuilding project. They have not won a match since the end of the 2007 season - making for a 57-match losing streak in the span since. The streak ranks among one of the longest in NCAA Division I sports history (Prairie View A&M football lost 80 consecutive games and Long Island University women's basketball lost 58 straight).
Head coach Shakeila Castlle-Jones, a former Chicago State standout, will be entering her second full season at the helm of the program and has a roster returning nine lettermen, including six first-year players from last fall. Among the returners are former Galena standout Kimberly Naut - a 6-1 middle blocker that also competed with Capital City Volleyball Club (Townsell's offseason club).
"They've been building," Townsell said. "They've had a tough time, but hopefully we'll all be able to work together and continue to improve."
The Cougars also play an ambitious schedule, taking on many of the top programs in the East. Townsell said she's looking forward to the high level of competition.
"It's nice to have this settled and not have to worry about where I am going," said Townsell, who plans to enter college as an undecided major, but hopes to get into writing or English.
Townsell recorded 365 digs, 109 service points, 23 aces, 11 assists and 10 kills for Douglas last season as the Tigers rolled up a 28-7 record overall (10-4 Sierra League). She helped Douglas to two Sierra League titles and a Northern 4A Regional runner-up finish.
She reports to campus in early August, but will practice with the Douglas High team this summer.
Townsell's father, JoJo Townsell, was a standout football player at Hug High School before going on to play at UCLA and later for the New York Jets. Her mother, Suzi Townsell, was a multi-sport standout at Douglas High and currently coaches the school's volleyball team.
The Townsells run the MEFIYI Foundation geared toward furthering youth sports in the area and have spearheaded the effort to start a Boys & Girls Club in Carson Valley.
