Spartans' Culligan decides on Illinois

Catherine Culligan finally knows where she's going to play volleyball in college.

The St. Francis senior libero has committed to Illinois. She chose the Illini over Kansas and DePaul.

"Illinois was my favorite," Culligan said. "I just love the atmosphere there. I want to go to a big school and the team's going to be really good next year and the years after that.

"It just felt right. I like the distance and I know a lot of people there. My brother (Emmett, a sophomore) goes there, too, so it all fit."

Culligan accepted Illinois' offer of a two-year scholarship over four years or a three-year scholarship over five, the first of which she would sit out as a redshirt. (DePaul also offered two years, while Kansas eventually offered one and possibly more over time.)

"I haven't decided if I want to redshirt yet, but I'll probably just go for four years," she said. "It's my option."

Culligan's decision marked the end of her long recruiting process that was delayed by ACL surgery, which caused her to miss much of her Sports Performance club season after her sophomore high school season.

She left Sports Performance after that to join First Alliance so she could continue playing basketball for St. Francis. She's been an All-Area selection in volleyball and basketball, though she missed half of this past basketball season with mononucleosis.

Culligan is feeling good now that her recruiting process is finished.

"It was kind of nerve-wracking because everyone around you knows exactly what they're doing and where they're going and you have no idea," she said. "It's kind of scary, but I'm just glad I got it over with and I'm happy with my decision."