Shields signs with Northwestern College
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By KEN GARNER
MOUNT AYR, Iowa – Aubree Shields has always known she wanted to compete in college athletics. It wasn’t a matter of competing it was in what sport the Mount Ayr standout wanted to take part in and where she wanted to go to school.
Although, she made a verbal commitment in the summer, Shields made it official last Friday with a signing ceremony at the high school to remain a Raider as the signed to play volleyball for Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
Volleyball has definitely always been my favorite sport, always knew that I wanted to play volleyball over track — it’s just a great team sport,” she said. “To be able to take it to the next level and just be able to play for a great program is really exciting.”
Shields will not be leaving her mascot behind as Northwestern is known as the Red Raiders. The Northwestern volleyball program is currently ranked as the No. 3 team nation in 3 team, according to the most recent NAIA coaches poll. Northwestern has been ranked in 65 consecutive NAIA top 25 polls dating back to the 2016 season, which is second in the nation behind Eastern Oregon. The Raiders are currently the top team in the Great Plains Athletic Conference with a 11-0 conference record and are 20-3 overall as of October 21.
Mount Ayr head volleyball coach Gail Thatcher knows exactly what kind of player the Red Raiders are getting in Shields.
“I’m really excited to see her go to the next level and get another challenge,” Thatcher said. “Northwestern has a really good volleyball program up there, and she’s going to be one of the elite among the elite, and it’s really going to bring her game to a new level.”
On Monday, Shields eclipsed the 1,000 career kills mark during a victory over Essex. The 6-foot outside hitter was first team all POI selection last season, along with first team all-region and all-area accolades. She was second team all conference in 2023 as a sophomore.
For the season, through October 20, Shields has 511 kills and hits at .368 efficiency to lead Mount Ayr. Shields leads the team in digs with 289 and is second on the team with 80 total blocks as 71 of those are solo blocks. From the service line, the senior has 47 aces on the season, which is second on the team.
Besides many of the obvious skills, Shields said she brings more than the physical tools to her volleyball game.
“I feel like I see the court really well, and not just power in the hits, but like finding the floor,” she said. “I feel like that is a big asset for me and using my tools and just being a hitter and someone that they can rely on.”
Although Shields has all the physical tools and accolades to thrive at the next level, according to Thatcher it is all of the little things that the she does everyday that make her a special athlete.
“One of the things that I love about Aubree the most is she’s so humble,” Thatcher said. “It’s all you season, it’s been about the team, not about her, even though she’s the person that leads in stats. She’s just been an outstanding senior captain, in making sure everybody’s included, that they’re all valued part of the team, and I admire that so much.”
