Minooka Community High School Senior Earns Full-ride Volleyball Scholarship to Eastern Michigan University

Stacey Perniar, 18, senior,

Hanging up the orange and black uniform and exchanging it for a green and white one may bring a tear or two to her eyes.

But, Minooka Community High School Senior Stacey Perniar is ok with that. She has many joyous memories of her high school team. Next fall she will begin another chapter of her volleyball career. She will be attending Eastern Michigan University on a full-ride scholarship for her excellence in volleyball. 

“I went and visited the university and absolutely loved it,” said Perniar. “I loved the coaches, the players and the campus.”

Perniar’s other top choices were Northern Illinois University, Michigan State and University of Iowa. She had also received between 40 to 60 letters from universities interested in her playing volleyball for them.

“I have saved all the letters,” the Channahon resident said. “I have them all in a file a cabinet.”

Perniar, a 6-foot-0 outside hitter, wrapped up her senior year with an area high of 405 kills, 49 aces and 162 digs. She lead the Indians to an undefeated conference record in the Southwest Prairie Conference this year, in which she was named the Most Valuable Player. She was also named to the All-Tournament team at the Minooka Invite.

She lead her team to the sectional finals this year and was an Illinois All-Star player in the Second Annual Sportstownchicago.com Volleyball All-star Game, hosted by Moraine Valley Community College in December.

Perniar’s volleyball career started back in fourth grade with the Channahon Park District. In fifth grade during intramural volleyball, she learned the fundamentals. She continued to be part of the “A” team in sixth grade and also became a member of Uno Volleyball, a private volleyball club, which she continued to play with throughout high school.

Her love and dedication to the game also landed her a spot her seventh and eighth grade years on the Channahon Junior High team.

Along with volleyball, Perniar had also been a star softball player. But upon entering high school, she knew that participating in a dual sport was going to be difficult. She had to choose one sport to focus on. She chose volleyball and played all four years at MCHS.

“My father was heartbroken because he loved that I played softball,” Perniar said. “But he is accepting now.”

While there is intense excitement in Perniar’s volleyball accomplishments, she does admit that there are some days she just doesn’t feel like playing volleyball. But once she’s on the court, she enjoys the competition and has fun.

“My coaches are very helpful and have had a great impact on my volleyball career.” My advice to young volleyball players is it’s never too late to start playing. Most of all have fun.”

In addition to playing volleyball in college, Perniar will be taking courses in the university’s exercise science program. She would like to have a career in cardio rehabilitation or physical therapy, as well as being a personal trainer.

Since there are only two weeks between school and club seasons, Perniar said she can’t do much extracurricular activities. But between her classes, both high school and Joliet Junior Community College courses, she has managed to earn a Scholar Athlete Award and is a member of the Indian Athletic Leadership Club (IALC).

Perniar’s free time, the little she has, includes hanging out with her friends, going to the movies, especially if it stars her favorite actor, Will Ferrell and baking cookies and confetti cakes. She said she would eat cheeses pizza anytime, any day.

Perniar is known by her friend’s for her unique talent. Thanks to her gymnastic training as a young girl, she can walk across the gym floor, or as a matter of fact anywhere via her hands. 

Keep your eyes open, as she may be in the news again. This time for being one brave soul. Perniar is going to travel with the IALC to Chicago and take the Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Michigan. Costumes and the fundraising proceeds are still to be determined, but she is planning on having fun. After all, it’s for a good cause.