Pelham volleyball star Whitney Billings signed a national letter of intent this week to play college ball at the University of Kentucky. The Helena resident will be joined by Birmingham Volleyball Club teammate Alexandra Morgan of Mountain Brook.

“In terms of athleticism both of these players are exceptional,” Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner said. “Both play well above the net and really dominate matches with their athleticism.”

Billings, an outside hitter/middle blocker, was a two-time National High School Player of the Year finalist in both her freshman and sophomore seasons at Pelham . She has earned six varsity letters in her time at Pelham, and has twice been named to the Birmingham News All-State first team. As a junior she was the Metro Player of the Year and the Shelby County Player of the Year. In her sophomore and senior seasons she was named to the Class 6A State All-Tournament team.

Billings has also been a part of several national teams, playing with the Junior Olympic volleyball 14-and-under tour in South Africa. She was also a part of the Volleyball Junior Olympic Girls 16 American All-Tournament team in 2006.

Additionally, Billings is an honor roll student and has been involved in a number of community service projects. She has volunteered her time as a coach and mentor for Our Lady of Sorrow Camp and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, while also coaching home school kids with Lance Woods and the BVC. In 2004, she toured South Africa with “Bring it to USA Volleyball” and helped promote the event by working with local companies to donate goodie bags for the opposing teams.

“Whitney is quiet by nature off the court,” Skinner said. “But, she is an intense competitor between the lines. She’s extremely versatile and will play all phases of the game at a high level.”

Both Billings and Morgan are rated in the top-60 of their class by PrepVolleyball.com.

Billings will look to repeat as Player of the Year when the 2008 Shelby County Reporter All-County team when it is released Nov. 26.