Former VU setter Savannah Grimes to return to the court at Florida Tech

VINCENNES, Ind. – Former Vincennes University volleyball setter Savannah Grimes (Dieterich, Ill.) announced earlier this week that she will be returning to the volleyball court after taking a year off to focus on her academics by signing with Florida Tech in Melbourne, Fla.

Grimes was the textbook definition of a student-athlete at Vincennes University, double-majoring in Engineering and Marine Biology and being a two-time NJCAA Academic All-American recipient, including receiving First-Team Academic All-American honors for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I chose Florida Tech initially for their great Chemical Engineering department and the amazing location,” Grimes said. “They offer a fast-track program that counts certain classes as undergraduate and graduate credits, so students can finish their master’s program in a year or less. The school is a few miles from the beach and it is still crazy to me that I can go there at almost any time.”

“I am thrilled that Savannah has decided to continue to play,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “I knew she would do this, so it comes as no surprise to me at all.”

“What I miss most about Vincennes University is the amazing staff there,” Grimes added. “It was obvious the professors really care about their students and want to make sure they are successful. Also, the facilities at Vincennes University are incredible.”

“Aside from volleyball, Savannah was a model student,” Sien said. “She not only excelled in her studies, but she also tutored. When did she sleep or eat? Savannah is someone the Athletic Department should be very proud to say is one of our very own.”

Grimes helped tutor her fellow students in math, biology and chemistry while at Vincennes University, where she worked closely with VU Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics Curt Coffman.

“Savannah was an exceptional student during her time at VU,” Coffman said. “She not only completed two degrees, Zoology & Marine Biology and Chemical Engineering, but graduated Magna Cum Laude at the top of her class. She also tutored math, biology and chemistry in between classes, practices and matches.”

“These are all impressive, but what matters most is that Savannah is an incredible person,” Coffman added. “She is friendly, genuine, kind and holds herself to a high level of integrity. That’s a rare combination and we were fortunate to have her here at VU.”

Florida Tech University is an NCAA Division II program that plays in a very strong Sunshine Conference along with school’s like Tampa University who won the NCAA D-II National Championship in 2021.

Nova Southeastern, Embry-Riddle, Lynn and Palm Beach Atlantic also represented the Sunshine Conference in the NCAA Tournament and all were ranked this past season.

In her two seasons with the Trailblazers, Grimes came away with 1474 set assists, 707 digs and 60 service aces, in just 239 sets.

Grimes was a First-Team All-Region 24 selection after the Spring 2021 season, in which she finished with 753 set assists, 271 digs and 39 blocks.