Rossview's Karle Pace commits to Eastern Illinois basketball

Rossview High basketball standout Karle Pace will get a chance to play at the Dunn Center throughout her basketball career.

But the Lady Hawks star will do so playing for Eastern Illinois after Pace committed to play for the Ohio Valley Conference school in Charleston, Ill., Monday evening.

"I'm excited because I've always dreamed of playing at the next level and I'll get that chance," Pace said.

Pace was returning from a visit to the EIU campus Monday that helped to solidify her decision. She said she will hold a signing ceremony next week at Rossview High School.

"The coach is new this year," Pace said. "And he's good at developing players. I know I want to get better each year and they have one point guard there and she's a senior so I have the opportunity to play next year."

Eastern Illinois just hired Matt Bollant to lead the program on Monday. Bollant was fired last month after serving as Illinois' coach for five seasons. Pace becomes his first recruit. EIU has room to grow under a new coach after going 9-19 last season, including 5-11 in OVC play.

"There were a few schools contacting me," she said. "I was just waiting on a bigger school and I felt like it was getting close to the end so my high school coaches told me I should be making a decision soon."

Pace said she received interest from schools like Fisk, Freed Hardeman, Vol State and North Florida. She said she made visits to each school except for North Florida.

But EIU was the favorable destination because of its proximity to Clarksville, which will allow her family to attend games and the chance to play significant minutes early.

"It's not going to be strange playing against Austin Peay," Pace said. "It'll be fun."

The 5-foot-8 point guard has been a four-year starter for Rossview helping the Lady Hawks capture three straight District 10 regular season and tournament titles. Rossview was seeking its fourth straight district crown this season but was denied by Henry County. She's a four-time member of the Leaf-Chronicle All Area Team.

Pace burst onto the high school basketball scene as a freshman. Her two 3-pointers late in a Class 3A sectional game against Overton helped to push the Lady Hawks to its first ever 3A state tournament and by her sophomore season, she was given full control of Rossview's offense under coach Justin Woods.

Pace has participated in the most successful stretch of seasons in the program's history. During her four years at Rossview, the Lady Hawks were 101-29 and 53-3 in District 10 regular season games. She's a three-time All District performer and averaged 14.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 rebounds this past season.

"It has gone by so fast," Pace said. "I've seen myself improve. I know I can get better, I just have to work so I feel like I deserve this and I'm going to work hard to be successful at it."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.