April 15, 2015 9:00 pm • By Seth Ashby / The Columbus Telegram

COLUMBUS -- It was hard for Central Community College head volleyball coach Mary Young to put into words what Makaleigh Yantzie, Skyler Erickson and Megan Anderson have meant to her program.

The trio of sophomores signed their letters of intent on the Central Community College campus Wednesday afternoon, with all three moving on to four-year universities to play volleyball.

Yantzie and Anderson will be teammates at Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas, while Erickson will finish her career at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

"They have been really incredible athletes for us," Young said. "But besides that, they're incredible people. I got to witness that every single day and that was really gratifying for me."

The three players helped the Raiders to a 37-7 record in 2014, including an undefeated home record. The Raiders earned the second seed in National Junior College Athletic Association Division II tournament before losing to eventual champion Glendale.

Along the way, Erickson was named NJCAA Division II first-team all-American, and picked up American Volleyball Coaches Association first team honors.

Erickson thought she might quit volleyball to focus on other things, but realized she loved it too much.

"It was kind of a late opportunity that came from UNK," Erickson explained. "I just thought it would pay for my school and I knew I would miss [volleyball], so I figured, two more years, why not."

About to start her 21st year of coaching at the school, Young said that Erickson is perhaps one of the most decorated players in school history.

"Skyler is probably one of our most decorated players we've ever had in history, with being a two time all-American first team and AVCA first teamer, as well as being a hard-worker."

Despite being roommates and friends, Yantzie and Anderson came to their decision to move on to Fort Hays State separately.

Anderson said she had considered the Tigers out of high school before picking the Raiders, and Yantzie described it as an opportunity she couldn't pass up.

"We both knew we were looking into it, but we weren't like 'if you go, I'll go.' It was kind of deciding on our own," Yantzie said.

As they move on to bigger things, they said they'll both miss the close knit nature of the Central community.

"I'm going to miss the team, no doubt," Anderson said. "We were all so close together."

Athletes such as Yantzie, Anderson and Erickson are examples that Young will use in the future as she builds on to the remaining team.

"I think that's the power of our program," Young said. "Not only do we offer a great product at an affordable price and a good, quality education, but I think the initial scholarship that we afford these athletes when they come in is magnified through the quality of play that we've had and the national exposure, so in the end of two years, there are a lot of looks and the value of their athleticism probably goes up a little bit because of what they've experienced in their two years of playing."

UNK and Fort Hays State are both members of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and are slated to face each other on Sept. 22 of this year.

In the meantime, the three soon-to-be former Raiders won't forget their time under Young at Central.

"I've been blessed with a lot of talent, and friends and opportunities that come through volleyball," Erickson said. "A lot of people don't get those opportunities and so there are things you can't take for granted."