Although Chandler Blondin will be leaving Warrenton High School behind this May, her connection as a Warrior will remain the same. 

Blondin recently signed her official letter of intent to play collegiate volleyball at Rend Lake College, also known as the Warriors. 

In sixth grade, Blondin first picked up a volleyball and played for Holy Rosary. From there, her love for the sport began.

She noted that volleyball is often her escape from reality. For Blondin, stepping onto the court has always been an opportunity to forget about everything else. 

Her transition to collegiate play is a fitting continuation of a journey that began years ago. 

It was not until halfway through her senior season, Blondin knew she could not give up the sport just yet. So, on Jan. 28, the senior signed her official letter of intent to continue her career at Rend Lake College. 

“I couldn’t come to terms with it ending after that,” Blondin said. “It’s definitely exciting seeing that everything I wanted to happen is happening.” 

Blondin has been a four-year varsity player for Warrenton throughout her high school career. Rend Lake women’s volleyball head coach Reggie Bateman first noticed Blondin through a few Hudl clips that showcased her highlights. 

Shortly after, Blondin reached out. 

“I saw her highlight film and I was just like wow, this kid can really play,” Bateman said. “I realized she’s a player that can come in and make an immediate impact.” 

The senior was selected to the GAC North second-team as well as all-district second-team. 

Bateman added that Blondin’s natural athleticism stood out to him the most when he first saw her play. 

“Obviously, she’s going to make some mistakes. It’s kind of a different tempo, different speed but I feel like after watching her play, it won’t take her too long to adjust,” Bateman said. 

Blondin noted she is excited to play outside of a level that is not club or high school, as well as meeting new people. 

She went on to say she likes the campus and the fact that she will be close to her brother, Charlie Blondin, who attends McKendree University. Her intended major is political science. 

When asked what advice Bateman had for Blondin, he responded with, “Have fun. It’s not the end of the world, it’s just volleyball. Do what you’re supposed to do, relax and enjoy yourself and at the end of the day if you give 110%, what else can you do.”