Kent State University at Tuscarawas is announcing the signing of a 2021 Ripley (WV) High School senior to their women's volleyball team. On December 7, 2020, Olivia Banton signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Golden Eagles.

Banton was a three-year letter winner for the Vikings volleyball team and played mostly libero and outside hitter, but she is also known as a defensive specialist and an ace server. She was selected Max Preps Player of the Match twice during her senior season and recognized for perfect 21/21 serving with eight service aces against Ravenswood (WV). She led the Vikings in Aces with 26, amassed a team leading 43 digs (3.1 digs per match), led in ball handling with just 30 errors in 301 attempts (less than 10% ballhandling errors), and also tied for serve receives with 230 (16.4 receives per match).

In the classroom, Banton has achieved a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA throughout high school, is a member of the National Honor Society as well as iBelieve Leadership Academy and Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. She will major in veterinary technology at KSU Tuscarawas.

She has countless hours of volunteerism that includes; Church of Christ Disaster Relief for flood and tornado victims across the United States and West Virginia, Soles4Souls, Mt. Alto Church of Christ food pantry, school supply and clothing drives, American Red Cross disaster relief, Adopt-A-Family, assembling fruit baskets for the elderly, Troop Link, NICU hats, and volunteers with local animal groomers.

"Olivia is a gifted athlete and a very special person as well," said Mindy Craig, Head Volleyball Coach for Kent State Tuscarawas. "She is very competitive, has great natural skills and her work ethic is something that every coach would covet. She is a defensive gem and her addition to our team will help us get to the next level. I truly believe that, and we are so proud to call her a Golden Eagles athlete."

Kent State Tuscarawas is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).