Follow your heart.
Rachel Hollivay spent days contemplating where she would take the next step in her life. She knew when she entered the recruiting process she would receive a lot of attention, but she never imagined she would face so much pressure making a decision that affected so many people.
On Thursday, Hollivay had a chance to exhale in front of her parents, family, friends, teammates, and coaches when she signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play basketball at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.
“I learned you just have to be patient and do your research,” Hollivay said. “My heart just stayed with Rutgers and the love they have for me and the love I have for them. It was hard, but I am glad I did it.”
The Heritage Academy senior made the decision Monday and then had to call University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt to tell her she was going to be a Scarlet Knight. She said that phone call and the countless others she made along the way made the process difficult and one she was happy to see end.
She said Thursday she had to learn to follow her heart through all the twists and turns in the recruiting process.
“After every visit, I wanted to go to this place or I wanted to go here, but after it all I just said to myself I had to follow my heart,” Hollivay said.
Hollivay, a 6-foot-5 center, is ranked the nation’s No. 11 player in the Class of 2012 by Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls Report, a national scouting service, and No. 8 by ESPN HoopGurlz. She made official visits to the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, the University of Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Rutgers. She said Monday that Rutgers was the best fit for her and provided the best family atmosphere.
Hollivay said that support system was crucial because she is going more than 1,000 miles away from home. While she has spent time away from home during the Amateur Athletic Union basketball season, Hollivay said going away to college is a bigger step. She hopes her parents, Ray Sr. and Larina, will be able to visit her and to watch her play as often as possible. Knowing they might not be able to travel that far very often made following her heart tougher.
“I would have made my decision a long time ago (if not for the distance),” Hollivay said. “It is going to be hard, but I have to grow up. I have to branch out and see what I can do out in the real world.”
Heritage Academy coach Yolanda Moore said in her remarks she liked how Hollivay took her time in making her decision. She said Hollivay is much more relaxed after going through a process that continued Monday even after she made her verbal commitment.
“This is a life-changing decision for her, and I know she is very, very relieved this process is over,” said Moore, a former standout at the University of Mississippi and a professional basketball player in the WNBA.
Ray Sr. and Larina Hollivay know they won’t be able to get to all of Rachel’s games, but they are confident their daughter will have a coach — C. Vivian Stringer — who will take care of her and will help her academically and athletically.
“It was very difficult because Rachel is a pleaser, just by nature,” Larina Hollivay said. “She doesn’t like to tell people no. I had to explain to her, ‘You’re one person, and there is only one college you can go to.’ I told her, ‘If I could make this decision for you, I would, but it is not my decision.’ It was very difficult for her. We both cried. All of the schools she visted have excellent programs, and she would be blessed to be a part of any of them.”
Larina Hollivay feels better knowing Rachel will have someone like Stringer looking out for her when she isn’t able to be there. She feels Stringer will be like a mother to Rachel and will push her to realize her potential and to do her best all of the time.
“I think that will help (Rachel) tremendously,” Larina said. “That is why the distance kind of went on the back burner because I wanted her to be with someone who was going to say, ‘Rachel, you need to step it up in this area,’ and who was going to stay on top of her.
“Children will be children. We’re still talking about an 18-year-old child, but (coach Stringer) has proven the players she has turned out and just being around her and how she nurtures and disciplines, I think that is a good balance, and I was very impressed with that. I think that is what Rachel needs. She is going to love her, but she also is going to be hard and stern.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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