RIFLE — In front of a crowd of teachers, coaches, friends and family, Rifle High School senior Annie Schmidt signed a letter May 12 committing to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska.

Schmidt, a middle hitter who finished her senior year with 30 blocks and represented Rifle on the Class 4A all-Western Slope League volleyball team last fall, will receive a “small” scholarship and a redshirted slot on the school’s volleyball team. While the opportunity to continue her volleyball career at her parents’ alma mater is somewhat of a “dream come true,” Schmidt said she had already made up her mind after visiting the school last year.

“I felt like I fit in there,” she said. “It was homey.”

During that first visit, Schmidt was told she could possibly make it on the team as a walk on. It was not until about a month ago that she learned about the scholarship and redshirt position.

“I just wanted to tell my parents, ‘You’re not going to believe what happened,’” she said.

For Schmidt’s father, Edward Schmidt, it was a proud day.

“She absolutely loves this game,” he said. “That’s the one thing I see in her.”

Given Schmidt’s leadership skills on the court, she will likely find her place on the volleyball team as well, said Paul Currier, assistant head coach with United Volleyball Club of the Rockies. “She’s incredibly coachable,” he said.

Schmidt plans on double majoring in business and economics at Concordia.