Legends Volleyball sets school records and make Alexandria College a great choice for anyone interested in college.

The need for post-secondary education after high school has been on the rise throughout the U.S. Whether an individual wants to be a carpenter, truck driver, healthcare professional, or a social worker, post-secondary education is needed.

With employers needing educated and skilled workers, choosing the right school can be a daunting task. The venture can be even more difficult for student-athletes who want to continue their athletic career post-high school but need to balance that with the program they want to study.

Alexandria Technical and Community College has been evolving over the years to maintain its holistic student-first approach to higher education while building athletic programs to offer students the ability to continue, or even start, their athletic careers while going to college.

In the summer of 2022, Alexandria College announced the launch of the Legends Volleyball team and the hiring of Head Coach Mitch McGuire. While coaching the Legends, McGuire also coaches for Kandi Elite Volleyball Club based in Willmar, Minn.

The following is an excerpt from the article, Volleyball: Alexandria College's program is two years old and already bringing home trophies, by Jake Sutherlin, Echo Press.

"My cousins played for Mitch at Kandi Elite, so I knew I'd be going to a program with a great coach," said Legends Volleyball player Kendall Buerman. "The school also had the nursing program that I was looking for."

Though athletics is a new endeavor for Alexandria College, the Legends Volleyball team is showing that community colleges are great options for student-athletes like Buerman to consider.

This year, Buerman and her teammates made Legends history. In the team's second season of existence, the Legends Volleyball team won the 2023 NJCAA DIII Region 13B Tournament and placed 3rd in the 2023 NJCAA Division III National Volleyball Championship.

"I think sometimes community college athletes are looked at like they are those who didn't make the cut for some of the bigger programs," Buerman said. "But looking at what we accomplished, it goes to show that the drive and competitiveness and passion can be just as high as even a D-1 level."By the end of the 2023 season, Buerman had been recognized as an All-MCAC (Minnesota College Athletic Conference), All-Region 13, and NJCAA Division III All-Championship competitor - as a hitter - who had amassed over 250 kills and recorded 390 digs.

In addition to Buerman's accolades, the Legends' Kailey Fischer, Meaghan Winters, Allie Thelen, and Haley Middendorf were recognized as part of the MCAC North All-Division team. Fischer and Winters were named to both the All-MCAC and All-Region 13 teams, and Fischer was named the Region 13B MVP. And lastly, McGuire was named the 2023 MCAC North Division Coach of the Year.

Alexandria College maintains a comprehensive approach [NA1] to the care of students, so after the players trained hard on the court, they would enjoy their time together with team-building activities like team dinners, a pizza and movie night, and pumpkin carving.

"We also did a lot more of getting to know the girls this year," McGuire, Legends head volleyball coach, said. "I heard a quote that said, 'When athletes don't know you on a personal level, they won't play for you.' That really stuck with me. So, we did a lot more bonding as a team. It was nice that they opened up more to us and listened to what we had to say as a staff."

Choosing a college is a big decision, one Alexandria College is helping make easier for prospective student-athletes. The school has launched multiple athletic programs: clay-target league, eSports, baseball, golf, soccer, volleyball, competitive fishing, and new for the fall 2024 season: competitive archery. Athletics combined with the school's student-first philosophy and nationally-recognized student success rates make Alexandria College a perfect option for students looking to live their passion and get a great education.