Year at Cowley helps Jankauskaite sign with NCAA Division I school

Playing a prominent role in the Cowley College volleyball program's first-ever national title, Second-Team All-American Goda Jankauskaite will take her talents to NCAA Division I school Norfolk State University (VA) after signing with the Lady Spartans on Tuesday.

Jankauskaite considered Alabama State before making the decision to sign with Norfolk State, which plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

"I liked the team, the campus and the coaches," Jankauskaite said. "Plus, it's next to the beach."

Prior to her one season at Cowley, Jankauskaite spent her freshman year at Missouri West Plains.

Being named a First-Team Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division and District M selection, the 6'2" middle hitter helped the Cowley volleyball team capture the program's first-ever national championship as the team finished the year with a 22-match win streak and a record of 38-2. The team also went unbeaten in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.

"This was a great year, winning nationals and reaching the goals I set," Jankauskaite said. "I am happy I could be here at Cowley and experience this."

Jankauskaite finished with 227 kills, 38 blocks and 29 aces during the 2011 season.

"Goda was a huge contributor to the team's success and got so much better as the year progressed," Cowley assistant coach Riann Mullis said. "I would have liked to have had her around for another year but it is nice to see players reach their goals and to help them get to where they want to go."

Jankauskaite, who is originally from Lithuania, is grateful for the opportunity she had to play at Cowley and is looking forward to this next chapter in her volleyball career.

"I hope to get better as a player and play professionally in the future," Jankauskaite said. "The experience I gained here at Cowley will definitely help me."

Jankauskaite plans to major in Kinesiology.

"I want to be around athletes as long as I can," Jankauskaite said.