Steeleville's Trevathan signs with SWIC

Hannah Trevathan is taking her career to the next level.

The Steeleville High School senior signed a letter-of-intent to play volleyball for Southwestern Illinois College on Monday. She will join a Blue Storm program that went 16-19 last season.

"This past season, I had three of my top liberos were all sophomores," said SWIC coach Warren Thomas. "So, I am recruiting that level again. (Trevathan) is going to compete for that libero position, but from what I've seen from her, I think she will do very well on the team."

Trevathan told local media that the relative proximity of SWIC factored into her decision. She will be attending the Belleville campus.

"I like that it's closer to home," she said. "I liked that the atmosphere was kind of like Steeleville High School.

"It was smaller, but still a step into the right direction as far as being a college student. I like that I can live away from home, but I still feel like I'm at home."

Attending the signing ceremony - in addition to SHS Principal Jennifer Haertling, District 138 Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland, Athletic Director Bryce Bainter and Steeleville Coach Lesley Holloway - were Trevathan's father, Mark Trevathan, and her aunt, Linda Mulholland.

"In our region, there are three other teams that are constantly - since I've been here and this is my fifth year coaching - been in the top 10 in the country," Thomas said. "So, I've got to build as much as I can in every realm of our team.

"I try to recruit the best that I have in our region and go from there. From what I've seen from (Trevathan), we should be able to compete with those teams to get a lead on them and possibly be the best we can moving forward."