Growing up as a Creighton volleyball fan, Jessica Bird was a member of the school's "Bluejay Buddy" program.

The 5-foot-11 junior outside hitter from Bennington will soon make an even more meaningful contribution after giving an oral commitment to CU head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth.

Bird said Tuesday that she has accepted a scholarship to play for the Bluejays. She pounded 288 kills this past season for the Class B Badgers, who finished 28-5 and narrowly missed the state tournament.

"It's a relief to have this decision behind me," Bird said. "Creighton offered me a scholarship when I was 14 and they've always been really patient and not pushy."

Bird, a first-team member of the All-Omaha Area volleyball squad, had several Division I offers. She selected the Bluejays over Notre Dame, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Virginia and Colorado State.

"Staying close to home was another important factor for me," she said. "I want to play in front of my family."

Bird, a three-year varsity player who also competes for the Nebraska Elite select program, said it will be fun playing for Creighton after supporting the team as a "Bluejay Buddy." That program's privileges for kids include a season pass to matches and other amenities.

"I'd go to camps, get to shake players' hands and just cheer for the team as much as I could," she said. "It's neat to think I'll be one of those players someday."

Contact the writer:

402-444-1350, mike.patterson@owh.com

twitter.com/MPattersonOWH

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