The Rock volleyball team is reaping the rewards of a special season.

Four members of the Lions’ national championship team signed their Letter of Intent on Wednesday to play at the next level.

Last month, The Rock swept Grace Academy (Hagerstown, MD) to win the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) Division I national championship 25-18, 25-20 in the best-of-three final at Cedarville, Ohio.

Outside hitter Natasha Kidd (5’11), who served 90% and led the team with 65 aces, signed with North Dakota State.

“It is truly a blessing, the college itself is amazing, just being able to know that the work that I put in has gotten me to this point, it’s just been amazing,” said Kidd, who has been playing on the varsity team since sixth grade. “I’m really excited. North Dakota is a great place…my senior year was like a dream. It was better than I expected.”

Kidd, who will enroll in January, is one of three Division-I signees along with middle hitter Annabell Zachritz (Rider University in New Jersey) and outside hitter/defensive specialist Mary Massias (Lehigh University in Pennsylvania).

“The Rock has been such a great experience just because the Christian foundation and the team are so wonderful and I love everyone here,” said Zachritz (6’1), a three-year varsity player who led the team in blocks with 76. “I definitely feel like I’ve grown a lot. I can’t wait for the new experiences in New Jersey.”

Massias (5’11), who has been on the varsity since seventh grade, led the team in kills with 266 with Kidd a close second at 238.

“It’s big, it’s a big commitment, so it’s scary but it’s also really exciting just because it’s our next chapter,” said Massias, who noted coaching and teammates were the reason she chose Lehigh. “It’s a big part of our lives that we’re going to be stepping into next year…it was really good coming home and getting that banner (championship). I’m just thankful that I got to meet all the girls and gain relationships over the past couple of years. It’s been amazing making memories and winning games.”

Kamdyn Swilley, who has been playing at The Rock since eighth grade, will stay in the Sunshine State. The senior outside hitter signed with Webber International University in Lake Wales.

“I’m looking forward to going more for education than volleyball,” said Swilley, who wants to major in nursing (labor and delivery nurse). “I want to focus more on school…I have club season, so AAU ball in between, so I think I’ll develop some more skill and maybe mental toughness before I leave for college (summer).”

The Rock’s boys basketball team (national team) also had a pair of Division-I signees.

Senior guard Evan Sterck (6’2), who has been a part of two Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) state titles last year and in 2022, will play for Jacksonville University.

“High basketball IQ, and the best passer I’ve ever coached, and I’ve coached a lot of really good players, but his ability to see the court, make the pass on target, has been phenomenal,” said The Rock boys basketball coach Justin Harden. “His desire to win is top of the charts. He almost willed us, even as a freshman, to a victory and then last year he was the pivotal point in us turning around that championship game and winning in the fourth quarter. He’s just been a winner.”

Sterck, who is averaging 12 points and eight assists per game to start the season, is on pace to set the career record for assists at The Rock. He’s averaged six assists for his entire career.

“I’m excited, it’s a blessing,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to have this day since I was a little kid and I can’t wait to get to JU and play with (head coach Jordan) Mincy and Coach Fly. They made it real easy. I just love the whole atmosphere. They told me I could be the one (position) starting off, build the program around me, so I’m just excited to get there and get to work.”

He’s a pass-first point guard who loves to get his teammates involved but also can shoot if the defense sags.

Kentrell Martin Jr., whose dad played at Eastside High School and Santa Fe College, transferred this year from Blake (Tampa). The 6’7 senior will play for the University of Tulsa (OK).

“The one thing about The Rock that I just loved was the competitiveness,” he said. “Last year we had a state championship appearance (61-48 loss to Miami Norland in the 5A state title game), we were up at halftime and then lost, it was a tough experience, but then I came here and I already knew it was going to be challenging because playing with a shot clock it’s faster, bigger, stronger guys, but as the season progressed I felt comfortable that The Rock was going to be the best place for me to prepare to go to college and I’m really enjoying my experience here.”

On Tuesday he had a double-double (16 points, 15 rebounds) at Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) and had 26 points in the home opener against Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee), including 6-of-7 from the 3-point line.

“KJ is just a well-rounded diverse player, I mean at 6’7 he has guard skills, but he also can bang inside and get layups, post ups, and rebound really well,” Harden said. “We can run a lot of stuff through him, whereas we haven’t had that type of guy in a while I just love everything about him. He has a positive attitude about everything that he does and has been a blessing to our program since Day 1.”