River View standouts Balo, Wallace sign to play college volleyball and softball

River View High School seniors Haley Balo and Hallie Wallace signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college.

Balo will head to Ashland University for volleyball and Wallace to West Virginia Wesleyan for softball. They celebrated their signings Nov. 14 in the newly renovated auditorium at RVHS.

“I liked the culture at Ashland,” said Balo, who is the daughter of Troy and Tricia Balo. “It felt like home.”

Balo built up quite the list of awards during her high school career.

She was on the AVCA Phenomena Watch-List in 10th grade and 11th grade, AVCA All-American Watch-List for 12th grade, MVL honorable mention in ninth grade, MVL first team for 10th grade through 12th grade, District 5 first team for 10th grade through 12th grade, District 5 Player of the Year in 10th grade through 12th grade, MVL Player of the Year for 11th grade and 12th grade, third-team All-Ohioan in 10th grade, second-team All-Ohioan in 11th grade, first-team All-Ohioan in 12th grade, inducted into the River View High School Hall of Fame in 12th grade, MVL Academic Athlete (4.0) in 10th grade through 12th grade, Academic Award (3.5-4.0) in 10th grade through 12th grade, All As Award in 11th grade, community service award for 100 or more hours in ninth grade through 12th grade, National Honor Society in 11th grade through 12th grade, Spanish National Honor Society in 11th grade through 12th grade, and top 10% of graduating class in 12th grade.

Balo also broke 1,000 kills in 11th grade and this year became the all-time leading scorer in kills with 1,161.

“When I was 10 or 13, I set a lot of goals for myself and was able to hit them,” Balo said. “It was my dream to get to play in college too. I’m very thankful for my coaches, both club and at school; my teammates, because without them none of this would be possible; and the coaches at Ashland for giving me this opportunity.”

River View varsity volleyball coach Rose Olinger said Ashland is getting an elite athlete in Balo.

“I think she will have an impact right away on their program,” Olinger said. “She knows how to work hard and is a coachable kid. She is very well-rounded, broke records for us and was a part of some of the best teams we’ve had in the last 15 years. She will be missed.”

Wallace chose to continue her academic and athletic career at West Virginia Wesleyan because she liked the community feel of the campus.

“I visited and went to some different camps, and it just felt nice and I enjoyed it there,” said Wallace, who is the daughter of Wess and Kalie Wallace. “It’s been my dream to play college softball. I love everything about softball and getting to play with my teammates.”

Her list of awards includes East District honorable mention in 10th grade through 11th grade, MVL honorable mention in 10th grade through 11th grade, MVL Academic Excellence Patches in ninth grade through 11th grade, three-year letterman, most RBI on the team in 11th grade, most hits on the team in 11th grade, 2025 Jackson Extreme Tournament Player of the Game, 2024 Akron Tournament Offensive Player of the Championship Game, three academic excellence awards, two All A's Awards, National Honor Society president, Spanish Honor Society vice president, Coshocton County Youth Leadership Class of 2025, and three years of helping raise more than $35,000 for the Courthouse Illumination project.

Wallace is thankful for support from her family, travel ball, and high school coaches, teammates, teachers and everyone who has helped her along her journey.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” she said. “Hopefully, we get good results and it’s our best year yet.”

River View varsity softball coach Willie Infante said Wallace is a good leader who will be missed.

“She’s a three-year starter behind the plate who will leave us a big hole to fill,” he said. “She’s always been willing to do what’s best for the team, play any spot and learn.”