Playing in your sister's shadow is never easy, especially when your sister is Elizabeth Neisler, last year's 4A State MVP in volleyball.

But younger sister Caroline has established her own identity as a volleyball great and last week the Jacksonville High School senior signed a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of North Alabama.

Caroline has had her share of awards and honors to include being named 4A All-State her junior and senior year, All-State tournament team, All-Region as a junior and senior as well as All-Area her junior and senior year. She was a member of the back-to-back state championship teams and this year's state runner-up.

Lady Eagle Head coach David Clark says the awards come as a result of a lot of hard work. "Caroline is one of the hardest working players I've had," says Clark. "She came from being an average player to someone who I think is one of the better players that I've ever had here."

Clark describes Caroline as being, "the motor that made us run. She had a lot of energy."

"Caroline was always ready to go and brought a lot of intensity," says Clark. "She helped this group this year and got us back to the championship game. It was a direct result of her hard-work and making people accountable.

"It's hard to come to practice with someone like Caroline and not practice hard because you're almost embarrassed because she's practicing so hard and you're not. She leads that way; not so much verbally but coming everyday and going to every ball. Her working hard makes other people want to work hard."

Clark says that Caroline's nickname is "Scrap" and that it fits her. "You don't want to be standing there and you're not working hard and here she is rolling and diving; bruised and skinned up."

Caroline feels that the volleyball program, especially this past year, has prepared her well for college." I'm taking a lot away," says Caroline, "the leadership role that I had to step into this year is something that I can take on to college."

Caroline narrowed her college offers down to UNA because she felt that it was a good fit for her. "UNA is only three hours away," says Caroline. "The people are nice and I loved the coaches and atmosphere. I loved everything about Florence."

While at UNA Caroline plans on majoring in business.

Caroline is the daughter of David and Merry Neisler. Her younger sister, Katie, also plays volleyball for the Lady Eagles.