Howard signs with Blue Mountain Christian University

Northwest sophomore Caroline Howard will continue her athletic and academic career at the four-year level, as the Pontotoc native signed with Blue Mountain Christian University on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14.

“I have really enjoyed my time here,” Howard said. “Northwest has taught me a lot, not only about volleyball, but growing as a person as well. I am really thankful for my coaches, my teammates and all the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ huddles. I am looking forward to starting a new chapter at Blue Mountain and I want to not only make an impact there, but to also continue growing as a person.”

Howard spent two seasons with the Rangers, helping Northwest to the 2022 Region 23 Play-In Championship, which sent coach Allison Burchyett’s squad to the NJCAA Gulf District Tournament for the first time in program history. This season, Northwest finished with a program-best 28-17 overall record, falling in a tight match to Pearl River in the region championship match.

Howard concludes her Northwest career in the record books, ranking fourth all-time with 505 career digs. She also ranked third in total assists this season, collecting 104, and her 34 service aces were good for fourth on the year.

Howard joins teammate Cristen Cleveland in signing with a four-year program, as the Hernando native signed with Lyon College before Christmas. In all, six Northwest volleyball players have joined four-year programs since the program’s inception for the 2020 season.