BUTLER TWP — Four years ago, Ashley Grooms didn’t feel confident about making Butler’s high school volleyball team.

Six years ago, she wasn’t playing the sport at all.

Now the Golden Tornado’s multi-purpose player will continue her academic and volleyball career at Carlow University in Pittsburgh.

Grooms has been cyber-schooled and played basketball at Portersville Christian School from fifth through seventh grade. She never played volleyball until joining her cousin, Lauren Hughes, on the First Baptist Christian school team as an eighth-grader.

“She told me how fun it was and I decided to give it a try,” Grooms said. “I was being cyber-schooled and could go play anywhere. I thought it’d be fun to play on her team.”

Grooms fell in love with the sport and went out for the Butler High School team as a freshman.

“They only kept 16 players and there were 35 to 40 girls trying out,” the 5-foot-6 Grooms said. “I was really nervous. In the Christian schools, they keep everybody.

“That was the first time I had to actually try out for a team. I was surprised I made it.”

Golden Tornado volleyball coach Meghan Lucas wasn’t.

“I could tell right away she was an athlete,” Lucas said. “Coaches can see those things. You teach a kid a skill and she picks it up right away. That’s when you know you have something.

“Ashley was extremely raw when we first got her. But she steadily improved. She is the epitomy of work hard and good things will happen.”

Grooms said the intensity, speed and structure of play at the high school level were “things I had to adapt to.”

“We didn’t run any plays at the younger level I was at,” she said. “We just tried to get the ball over the net.”

Grooms wound up playing every position with the Golden Tornado. As a senior, she played right-side hitter and defense.

“She set, hit, played the back row ... whatever we needed,” Lucas said. “We used her in numerous roles, she did them all effectively and I never heard her complain once.

“Ashley is an intelligent athlete and that translated well on to the volleyball court.”

Grooms plans to enter the nursing field, which attracted her to Carlow’s program in that field. She had other collegiate opportunities, but no others involving volleyball.

Carlow is an NAIA program and volleyball is the longest running sport there. The volleyball team has reached the NAIA Tournament in its recent history.

Last year’s team finished 9-19. Of the 12 players on this year’s roster, five are seniors.

“I just want to continue the tradition there, get on the court, contribute and help the team win,” Grooms said.

While Butler failed to make the WPIAL playoffs this past season — finishing fourth behind powers Seneca Valley, North Allegheny and Pine-Richland — Lucas has sent more than 16 players on to college programs while with the Tornado.

“That’s one of the many reasons I coach,” Lucas said. “I like to see the development of the young ladies and help open doors for them.

“Carlow is the perfect fit for Ashley. Entering the medical field, she’ll be in the heart of Pittsburgh, which is where she needs to be. And after talking to Carlow’s coach (Julie Gaul), I know she’ll get on the court for them.”