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Ray’s Stormee Galka (front center) signed her NLI with Maryville University.
Ray four-year varsity multi-sport athlete Stormee Galka recently signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Maryville University, which is located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Galka, a pitcher and centerfielder for the Lady Cats’ third-ranked softball team, signed to continue her softball career with the Saints over offers from other schools, including one she received as a junior from Paradise Valley Community College.
“They have a physical therapy program that I am interested in and Coach Kelly, who coached in the Olympics, has a great record,” Galka told the Copper Basin News about her decision to sign with the Great Lakes Valley Conference school. “Those two things are what attracted me and were part of my decision to choose (Maryville).”
The Lady Cats’ star has won multiple awards in multiple sports, including All-Division IV Softball 1st Team and Section VI Softball Player of the Year last season. She figures to be a repeat honoree in one if not both categories again this year.
Stormee’s mother, Rikki Galka, is also her coach in both volleyball and softball. Rikki told the Copper Basin News she’s “excited” for her daughter.
“(Stormee) has worked hard to get to this point,” Rikki said in a text message. “I hope she takes the opportunity at hand and gets the most out of it. I am very proud of her.”
Stormee said she’s looking forward to change and the next chapter of her life, even if it is in a distant city and one different in size compared to Kearny.
“I’m going to miss everybody (at home), but I’m excited to see that part of the country and experience new things,” she said.
Rikki admitted there’s an inkling of sadness knowing her daughter is moving far away, but she also knows the opportunity for her daughter was too good to pass up.
“Yes, it is (sad), but she will have a great coach and she has met a lot of (her teammates),” Rikki said “She texts with them often, so I feel it is a great opportunity for her to grow as an individual.”
“It’s such a short time period in her life but a very critical one for her to grow and work hard, both in class and on the field,” Rikki added. “I feel good about her decision.”
Stormee credits her time as a Ray High School student-athlete for preparing her for what’s next in her life.
“The time spent at Ray has helped me grow as a leader,” she said. “It’s going to be sad to leave, but I’ll always feel like I am part of a family in a small town.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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