Unlike many high school athletes, Althoff senior Kymber Hill didn’t have many college recruiting trips planned before making a final decision.

All Hill needed was a few.

A 6-foot-3 center, Hill’s visit to the University of Massachusetts earlier this fall made an impact, as Wednesday she signed an NCAA Division I letter of intent to play for the Minutewomen beginning in the 2013-14 season.

A number of metro-east athletes made their college choices official on Wednesday.

“It basically came down to two schools — Eastern Michigan and UMass. When I went out for my visit, UMass just seemed right. I liked it a lot and it’s a place where I can be happy,’’ Hill said. “It’s a long way from home, but I feel like it’s a place where I’ll have a chance to improve and get a great education.’’

Located in Amherst, UMass is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and is coached by Sharon Dawley. Currently 1-1, the Minutewomen are rebuilding after finishing 8-21 and 7-23 the past two seasons.

“They’re rebuilding, but that’s fine. Hopefully I can go in and be part of the team which helps the program improve,’’ Hill said. “I know I need to get stronger and that I need to improve in all areas of the game. But I’m willing to go in, work hard and do what it takes to become a better basketball player.”

Hill will play center for the Minutewomen.

Althoff coach Todd Hill said he’s glad Hill is the getting the opportunity to show what she can do.

“I’m excited when a kid gets the opportunity to go where they want to go,’’ Hill said. “Her and her family went on several visits, and UMass was the place she really liked.

“I think she’s going to get the opportunity to play right away. She’s just got to do the things that all freshmen must do which is get stronger and adjusting to the speed of the game. I think Kymber has the tools to contribute right away as long as she continues to work hard.’’

Hill plans on majoring in broadcast journalism at UMass.

Rakers signs with Michigan

Carlyle guard Paige Rakers was one of four players who made up new Michigan women’s coach Kim Barnes Arico’s first recruiting class.

Rakers averaged 19.4 points per game as a junior last season. She also was named “Queen of the Hill’’ for winning the Illinois High School Association’s statewide 3-point contest.

“Paige is from a tremendous family, a great student who really values academics,’’ Barnes Arico said. “She is one of the best shooters that I came across all summer. Besides her ability to shoot the basketball, she has a great feel for the game. She is a really good passer and she works incredibly hard. She is going to be a tremendous addition to our program.’’

Roustio signs with Illinois

O’Fallon outside hitter Katie Roustio, who led the metro-east with an average of 6.27 kills per game this season, has signed to play volleyball for the University of Illinois.

Roustio amassed 1,468 kills, 1,232 digs, 220 blocks and 210 service aces in her four seasons with the Panthers.

“Katie Roustio is an extremely physical outside hitter,” Illinois coach Kevin Hambly said. “She has a great arm and puts up a great block. She was looked at in high school to score and has shown the ability to score points. She will be looked upon to develop into a six rotation outside hitter.”

Metro-east high school athletes on Wednesday signed letters of intent to play for the colleges of their choice.

They include:

Belleville East's Malcolm Hill signed to play basketball at the University of Illinois.

Emmonnie Henderson, of Edwardsville, signed to play basketball at the University of Louisville.

Here is a list of other local athletes who will be signing with Division I or Division II schools or have made their college commitments:

Boys Basketball

Player High School College Choice

Garret Covington Edwardsville Western Illinois

Nick Van Osdale Belleville West Lindenwood-St. Charles

Prep Baseball

Player High School College Choice

Brent Gibbs Alton Indiana

Chad Spanberger Granite City Arkansas

Keaton Wright Triad SIU Edwardsville

Drew Curtis Edwardsville St. Louis U.

Jake Haberer Highland Eastern Illinois

Tyson Boehne Carlyle McKendree

Chris Mathes Collinsville Missouri-St. Louis

Cody Massey Triad Maryville

Brendan DePoy Columbia Rhodes

Brogan Fischer Marquette Illinois Central

Blake Graham Edwardsville Heartland CC

Boys Soccer

Player High School College Choice

Seth Aycock Triad Wisconsin-Superior

Girls Basketball

Player High School College Choice

Erica Brown Nashville Eastern Illinois

Lauren White Edwardsville Northern Kentucky

Megan Wienstroer Okawville Quincy

Girls Volleyball

Player High School College Choice

Katie Roustio O'Fallon Illinois

Alexis Smith Belleville East Alabama

Kelsey Reis Freeburg Arkansas State

Madalyn Werths Edwardsville Southeast Missouri State

Emily Koelling Mater Dei South Carolina Upstate

Sarah Parker Edwardsville Southwest Minnesota State

Bailey Kampwerth Mater Dei McKendree

Nicole Allaria Edwardsville Quincy

Ali Lampen Mater Dei Lindenwood-St. Charles

Abby Luebbers Mater Dei Maryville

Chelsea Crocker Mater Dei Kaskaskia

Prep Softball

Player High School College Choice

Shaye Harre Nashville SIU Carbondale

Taylor Bowlby O'Fallon Bradley

Kelly Kapp Gibault Bradley

Annie Crouch Waterloo Eastern Illinois

Marissa Modglin Waterloo SIU Edwardsville

Amy Hunt Triad SIU Edwardsville

Kelsie Bailey Triad Missouri-St. Louis

Tiffany Harbison Waterloo Quincy

Alexis Royer Columbia Parkland CC

Amber Toenyes Edwardsville Eastern Illinois

Girls Soccer

Player High School College Choice

Brooke Blasingame Collinsville Missouri State

Kassidy Rawdon Collinsville SIU Edwardsville

Alyssa Reiniger Collinsville McKendree

Kat Roe Collinsville Lindenwood-St. Charles

Girls Golf

Player High School College Choice

Alexa Boatman O'Fallon Central Missouri

Girls Tennis

Player High School College Choice

Taylor Stevenson Triad Lewis & Clark CC

Girls Gymnastics

Player High School College Choice

Alexis Mura Belleville East Iowa

College Players

A list of junior college players signing with four-year colleges:

Women's Basketball

Player Junior College New College Choice

Janelle Cannon Southwestern Illinois Louisville

Baseball

Player Junior College/High School New College Choice

Michael Failoni Heartland/Edwardsville Lindenwood-St. Charles

Men's Golf

Player Junior College/High School New College Choice

Steve Souchek John A. Logan/Gibault SIU Carbondale