Hilmar volleyball star Baptista signs with University of Pacific

Hilmar High School volleyball star Emily Baptista signed a national letter of intent with University of the Pacific in a Wednesday morning celebration with parents Randy and Lisa Baptista, teammates and club coach Gabe Leal of Rage.

Baptista, an outside hitter, is a two-time Trans-Valley League MVP and cornerstone of a program gunning for a Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship.

“Emily is an anomaly, meaning she comes from this small town of Hilmar and she’s this girl who is 6-2 when both of her parents are 5-6. She’s truly one of a kind,” Hilmar coach Patti Harris said. “She’s had some good coaching over the years at Rage, really good coaches who have helped mold her.”

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Hilmar volleyball star Baptista signs with University of Pacific."