Merced County volleyball star headed to East Coast to continue playing in college
Buhach Colony High senior Celina Henn received a big cold-weather jacket and winter boots for Christmas.
There was definitely a theme with her gifts as she also received gloves, scarves and beanies from her family.
The Thunder volleyball standout is stocking up on winter clothes after recently signing her national letter of intent to play volleyball at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.
“I’m actually going to see it snow,” Henn said.
Henn said the last time she saw snow was about six years ago while she was visiting Chicago.
According to Henn, Weaton women’s volleyball coach Craig Letourneau saw Henn play during a travel volleyball tournament in Nebraska.
“He e-mailed me and at first I thought, ‘I’m never going to go to Massachusetts. That’s crazy,’” Henn said. “He kept e-mailing me and then those e-mails turned into phone calls. Eventually he invited me to come visit the campus.”
Henn made the trip to the small East Coast campus in August and immediately liked the small-campus feel.
“It’s a beautiful campus,” Henn said.
It wasn’t long after that Henn was on board and ready to play for Letourneau.
Her academic success is helping pay the way. Henn is receiving a Presidential Scholarship from Wheaton College. Henn compiled a 4.28 GPA at Buhach Colony. She also received a scholarship from a local all-star game.
“She’s an amazing young lady,” said Buhach Colony coach Emili Rivera. “She’s always worked very hard on her game and given 100% every time she’s on the court.”
Henn was named the Central California Conference MVP after helping lead the Thunder to a co-CCC championship. She played varsity for three years at Buhach Colony.
“It’s been awesome to watch her grow,” Rivera said. “Her sophomore year she played libero and then we moved her back to outside hitter the next year. To see how far she’s come is amazing. She was so timid in the beginning and now she’s putting balls down on the 10-foot line. It was fun to watch her play this year.”
Henn is ready for the challenges of playing at the college level.
“I’m excited to see the different style of volleyball on the East Coast,” Henn said. “It’s going to be an adjustment playing at the college level and playing for a different coaching style.”
Henn’s signing ceremony was held at Buhach Colony recently during the winter break.
“It was incredible,” she said. “To do that in front of my family, friends, teammates and coaches. For all them to be there supporting me meant a lot.”
