Despite being labeled a newcomer to the sport, Mission Bay High School volleyball standout Rachel Rhoades has quickly turned heads — fast enough to sign, seal and deliver a commitment to play for the University of Arizona in 2011, paid in full. Rhoades, who is rounding out her senior campaign as a Buccaneer, started her career on the freshman squad, followed by three noteworthy varsity seasons and club playing time as well. Rhoades’ 6-foot-1-inch frame and her innate, honed volleyball prowess, coupled with a 4.25 GPA, allowed her the luxury of being selective when deciding her next stop. “When I was choosing, the weather was definitely a huge deal,” Rhoades said. “Also, the level of volleyball, the surrounding community, the college and the feel of the team. Also, a big thing was the mascot. If you don’t have a cool mascot, then I don’t want to go there.” Rhoades’ good nature is one of her most-appealing off-the-court attributes. On the court, Rhoades’ road to elite play began as a suggestion. “I started playing club volleyball my sophomore year of high school,” Rhoades said. “I never really thought I could play club volleyball. My high school coach [Steve Upp] said I would be good for that. I started off at a … club in Poway. Coast came up and that was crazy, because I had no idea I would make one of those teams.” The surprises kept rolling. Coast coach Ozhan Bahrambeygui saw the potential in Rhoades and put her on the club’s No. 1 team. “I had no idea, I didn’t even think I would make the No. 3 team at his club, and he puts me on the No. 1 team,” Rhoades said. “The team is amazing. He’s just helped me so much with college, too.” Rhoades says Bahrambeygui’s connections in the sport allowed her to get noticed and eventually recruited. “He kind of got the word out there that he’s got this tall girl who is physical and athletic and he helped out a lot,” Rhoades said. “Colleges started e-mailing me. I did make a website but that didn’t help at all. “I think the two people who have gotten me to where I am today, college-wise, are probably Steve Upp and Ozhan.” Rhoades also considers her family in that helping group. Her sister, Ashley, played for Mission Bay High and was the reason Rachel picked up the ball in the first place. Rachel said her parents played a huge role in her decision to attend the University of Arizona — where she plans to major in psychology or sociology. Her mom took most of the college visits with her. “They are just excited I am going to college and it’s even better because it’s getting paid for,” Rhoades said. Rhoades is definitely doing her part. “As a senior, I feel like I’ve stepped up a lot as a leader,” Rhoades said. With playoffs looming, Rhodes has one goal in mind. “I want to get past first round in CIF,” Rhoades said. “We are going to get to first round this year for sure, but we’ve never made it past first round to second round and that would be amazing if we could do that.”