All-City volleyball: Player of the Year Sydney Miles puts education ahead of athletics

Miles realized that there's much more to her future than just the next four years of volleyball, so she began to focus her college decision on the college itself.

Miles, The Oklahoman's All-City Volleyball Player of the Year, turned away opportunities at good schools like TCU, San Diego State and the University of Denver to attend Emory College, an NCAA Division III university on the outskirts of Atlanta.

“I started looking more at the schools first,” said Miles, a versatile 6-foot-1 setter for the Chargers. “I loved Emory, the campus, the volleyball program — just everything about it fit my personality perfectly.”

Professional volleyball options are somewhat limited, with the best opportunities being in beach volleyball or overseas leagues. Neither of those appeal to Miles, which was a triggering factor in her pursuit to find the best academic program where she could also follow her passion for volleyball.

Emory provides that, and will help her focus on the bigger goals of her post-athletic career.