Outgoing River Falls senior Abi Banitt, who found her niche as a libero/defensive specialist, signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on National Signing Day at River Falls High School.

Banitt is one of three River Falls seniors to sign a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career, joining Morgan Kealy at St. Thomas University and Brianna Brathol, who chose Kent State University in Ohio.

While Kealy gained attention for her flashy dump kills and outstanding setting ability and Brathol similarly for her jaw-dropping vertical and powerful kills, Banitt flew under the radar to the common eye.

However, Banitt played one of the most important roles on the court throughout her tenure at River Falls as the libero/defensive specialist. She quickly earned the nickname “The Firecracker” by the Wildcats’ broadcast crew for her passionate playstyle and ability to give the team an instant jolt of energy.

Although Banitt eventually found her role as a libero/defensive specialist, River Falls head coach Sara Kealy wasn’t quite sure where she would fit into the lineup. Kealy coached both of Banitt’s older sisters, Elise and Emily, who played completely different roles for the Wildcats. Kealy spoke about Abi Banitt’s playstyle.

“Early on it was hard to tell where she would fit. If you looked at Elise, she was short and built like mom, if you looked at Emily she was long and a jumper and playing middle,” Kealy said. “I was wondering where Abi was going to fall. Not a lot of kids love defense, but she learned to love defense early on.”

Kealy stated that Abi Banitt has all of the physical attributes of a high school outside hitter. She has length, a good vertical and can get downhill quickly. However, she embraced the libero mindset and enjoyed the defensive anchor role for the Wildcats.

River Falls has a history of strong libero play, but Abi Banitt has to be among the top in program history, given her success on the floor and her relentless training to be one of the best defensive players in the Big Rivers Conference. Coach Kealy spoke about what Banitt brought to the floor.

“She loved playing defense and she found her niche in the backcourt as a libero,” Kealy said. “We’ve had a lot of good liberos that were also gymnasts and basketball players, but they didn’t play club year-round. Abi (Banitt) came along and was a true libero that trained, understands the game and being the youngest of three in a volleyball family, she gets it and has been around it since she was tiny.”

While the aforementioned Morgan Kealy orchestrated the offense as the team’s setter, Abi Banitt was responsible for making sure the team’s defense was in order throughout the season. Coach Sara Kealy spoke about what Banitt did for the defense.

“She controls the backcourt, she’s a leader, she has a really good court presence too,” Sara Kealy said. “The way Morgan (Kealy) ran our offense, Abi (Banitt) ran our defense and then Brianna (Brathol) was the gel that filled in everything for us.”

Abi Banitt earned Second-Team All-Conference honors for the 2022 season and was one of five River Falls players to receive either First-Team, Second-Team, or All-Conference Honorable mention accolades this year. Banitt’s defensive leadership and outgoing personality helped the Wildcats reach the Division 1 Sectional Final game against Chippewa Falls and finish the season with a 39-6 overall record.

Just like Morgan Kealy and Brianna Brathol, coach Sara Kealy expects Abi Banitt to make an immediate impact at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She spoke about Banitt’s transition to the next level.

“I don’t know much about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and their program, but Abi (Banitt) will come in and be an impact player,” Kealy said. “She’s got that energy and she’s driven. She will come in and contribute.”

The three aforementioned players of Morgan Kealy, Brianna Brathol and Abi Banitt have been a cornerstone in the River Falls volleyball program for years. As they move to their respective Division 1 schools, there is going to be a lot of leadership to replace in the locker room. Kealy spoke about what those three players meant to the Wildcats – on and off the court.

“Those kids have been around for so long and they know how things get done so I don’t have to think about them. I’m going to have to be more mindful next year,” Kealy said. “Things that they do off the court and in the locker room with organization and communication, I’m going to have to be more involved with next year now that they’re leaving.”

After graduating from River Falls High School in May 2023, Banitt will move to Edwardsville, Ill., to begin the next chapter of her academic and athletic career as a member of the Cougars’ women’s volleyball program.

Outgoing River Falls senior Abi Banitt gets into position as a defensive specialist against Chippewa Falls in the Division 1 Sectional Final. RF head coach Sara Kealy stated that Banitt found her niche as a defensive player and became one of the best liberos in program history. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

River Falls senior Abi Banitt serves during a match earlier this season. Banitt made it official on National Signing Day that she would be attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to continue her academic and athletic career as a Division 1 player. Photo by Reagan Hoverman