LHS grad gains multiple scholarships to attend Division-III Harrisonburg school
By Randy Arrington
LURAY — Reese Fitton had never really thought about playing volleyball in college…until the Royals came calling.
“They were really the first college that reached out,” Fitton said of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, “and I hadn’t even thought about going to the next level.”
During her sophomore season, Fitton earned second team all-district in the Bull Run, and was voted Most Improved at LHS. The next year she earned second team all-region and first team all-district. By her senior season, the power hitter racked up enough kills to be a first team selection at the district, region and state levels, as well as being named the Region 1B Player of the Year. Her fellow Bulldogs named her the Most Valuable Player the last two seasons and presented her with a Gold L after her senior campaign.
As the accolades began to grow, so did the attention from college coaches, so she set up a recruiting profile. Following contact by EMU, Fitton received interest from Hollins, Mary Baldwin, Hood College and small school in South Carolina. However, at the end of the recruiting journey, Fitton found herself right back where she began.
“I loved the coach. I just thought he had an effective style of communication…I think that’s a big thing to like the coach,” the LHS graduate told PVN. “My senior year I met girls on the team and saw the campus, and it was perfect. I said I definitely could see myself going here.”
On May 1, Fitton signed her National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at Division III EMU during at ceremony at LHS. Head Coach Casey Steinbrecher became the 10th EMU head volleyball coach in 2020 and two years later the Royals posted their best conference finish in 20 years.
“He was one of the first coaches I got to work with,” Fitton said. “He always put so much effort into it…he really tried to get to know me. He made me feel validated as a player…as seen…not cocky, but believe that you have the potential to play at that level.”
Coach Steinbrecher carried only three seniors on last season’s roster, with 14 of 18 being either freshman or sophomores. One senior was Kenly Smith of Strasburg. The Royals went 6-20 overall and 2-9 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
Fitton recognizes that she will have to “grow into my role” and that she has “a lot to learn,” but she’ll have some inside help along the way.
“To have someone you know that you can go to…,” Fitton said. “We haven’t texted a lot, but I’m sure she’ll be a big help during the season.”
Former LHS volleyball standout Lindsay Bly (Class of 2023) will be a senior for Coach Steinbrecher’s Royals this fall. Fitton was a freshman when Bly was a senior at LHS, and now the pattern repeats itself this fall at EMU.
“I am so excited,” Fitton said. “I played with Lindsey some my freshman year… I always looked up to Lindsey and always thought she was a big help and very supportive. She didn’t push, but she spoke highly of me to coach…she sent me a text and said she was so happy.”
Beyond her impressive talents on the volleyball court, Fitton is also one of the top graduates of the LHS Class of 2026. Not only is she among 20 grads (of 121total) who finished LHS with a 4.0 grade point average or better — she is also among three graduates who finished their academic careers without ever receiving anything less than an “A.”
Those academic accolades have earned Fitton academic scholarships from EMU worth $29,000 a year — covering around half of the $60,000 annual cost — and renewable for four years, for a total value of $108,000. Fitton also earned another $3,750 last week in local scholarships, as well as the DAR Good Citizen Award.
Fitton says she will remember her time at LHS fondly, especially her relationship with Coach Susan Henry-Wilson.
“We have a strong bond… I can’t thank her enough,” the recent graduate said. “She deserves so much praise… She has bent over backwards, so I really can not thank her enough.
“I want to be remembered more for my attitude and impact on the game, as opposed to my stats… stepping into a senior role… being a positive role model, Bible study and prayer, being a support person — not just a good player, but a good leader and being coachable,” Fitton said. “I guess just want to be remembered as being a nice, good person who is responsible and who can lead.”
The senior standout was clearly the leader of a young team last fall that featured promising freshmen and sophomores.
“I always felt natural as a leader. I enjoy being an example,” Fitton said. “I push myself to be the best I can, not just for me, but for them as well. That’s definitely something I’m going to miss.”
This fall’s scrappy Bulldog team will look to repeat as region champions without the region’s “Player of the Year” — but she won’t be far away from the action.
“I just know they are going to be amazing,” Fitton said. “I just wish I had one more season with them…and I hope they know that I will be right there cheering them on.”
For more information on EMU Volleyball,
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