A passion that was not discovered until middle school has paid off for Powell High School senior Catelynn Floy, who signed her letter of intent Tuesday to continue her volleyball career at NAIA Dickinson State University this fall.

Beginning her volleyball career later than most, Floy didn’t get her start in the sport until eighth grade after initially choosing other options at Powell Middle School.

“I remember being in seventh grade and me and my friend were talking about volleyball, and I just remember me and this one friend decided to do cross country instead of volleyball,” Floy said. “Then eighth grade came around, and I remember playing volleyball for the first time. Ever since then I’ve really enjoyed the sport and all the people that come with it. Then this year, I finally decided to pursue my career in it.”

In her high school career Floy saw sparing time in the rotation as a sophomore before breaking through her junior year and ranking fourth in team kills. She delivered even more as a senior.

In her final season Floy recorded 307 kills on a .152 hitting percentage, adding 202 digs, 47 total blocks and 31 aces for the Panthers.

She said this season she was able to take that step thanks to the support of her team while also having her coaches continue to support her through the year.

“Honestly, it wasn’t tough, but it was also that reassurance that my team did need me and they wanted me there,” Floy said. “Shout out to Kelsey [Marchant], Anna [Flitner], Chelsi [Graham] and [Greg] Stenlund for always having my back … I would never change it for the world. I think that Anna coming in as the head coach definitely helped this program and myself especially.”

Throughout her years at PHS, Floy played other sports where she has excelled such as basketball and track, but finally decided on her next career path once she realized which sport she held more passion for.

“There definitely was actual consideration for basketball probably a few months ago when I was still torn between the two,” Floy said. “Honestly in the end, the final decision was kind of after state basketball. Did I want to play volleyball or basketball? How state basketball ended wasn’t great, but when I ended state volleyball, I wanted more.”

Getting in contact with the Blue Hawks came through an offseason tournament in Billings, where Floy was able to get in contact with a number of college programs, including Dickinson.

“I went to this four-on-four tournament, just a little mess-around volleyball thing, and the coach there actually hooked me up with some coaches,” Floy said. “One just happened to be from Dickinson, she saw my film and then we did a visit. I was like, this is where I want to go. The people are so nice and I love the campus.”

Heading to that next level of competition Floy is certain that it will bring its own challenges, but she’s ready to take that next step.

“I think that it’s just going to be super intense, more intensive than we had in high school. But I’m definitely wanting more,” Floy said.

Planning her next step for education at Dickinson includes Floy pursuing a career in nursing, where she wants to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and specialize in labor and delivery.

Floy is heading to a program that finished 5-21 this past season, and will be seeking its first winning season since 2010.