CLARION, Pa. (D9Sports) — Clarion senior Maya Thornton recently decided to continue her volleyball career at NCAA Division III Westminster next season.

(Photo: Thornton, center sitting, flanked by her parents Bridget (left) and Jim (right) with former Clarion assistant coach Erica Cathcart (standing left) and Clarion head coach Shari Campbell (standing right) also in the picture. Submitted photo.)

A team captain for the Lady Cats, Thornton helped Clarion to the PIAA Class 1A semifinals this past season and was named a Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-State member as well as an All-District 9 choice and All-KSAC choice.

A standout softball player as well, Thornton was an Honorable Mention all-state outfielder as a sophomore.

Thornton is planning on a career as a public relations specialist.

Westminster, under coach Tammy Swearingen, competes in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC). They won their first ECAC-III Championship in 2017 after finishing second in the PAC and finished the season at 30-6.