SPANISH FORT, Alabama — Amber Treace is the first Spanish Fort female to sign a Division I NCAA volleyball scholarship. The 6-foot-0 Lady Toros setter signed with the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers at SFHS April 26.

“It’s a dream come true to keep playing in college and to get to do it on that level is really exciting,” she said. “It’s always been my dream to go D-I and now it’s here.”

Treace helped SF head coach Barclay Kercher’s 2012 team to a winning season including a return to the prestigious 5A Elite Eight state tournament. She recorded 312 kills, served for 185 aces and 945 set assists (School Record) with 64 blocks and 274 digs to lead in all but the digs category.

“As a four-year starter Amber has been a big part of our success,” Kercher said. “When you have an outstanding setter who is also as tall as she is, you basically add another front row player. So it’s no surprised that UAB would be interested in keeping her there, but she’s an all around athlete on the court including defense. She has a D-I heart to go with that D-I ability. UAB is lucky to have her. ”

Treace hopes her sister Alexis who plays volleyball at Faulkner State Community College can join her at UAB down the road.

“We grew up playing pepper in the back yard and practicing together. It was great to have somebody who loved to play growing up and we challenged each other and so we’re both competitive. But it was different this year without her. I hope she can play again up there (UAB) when she finishes at Faulkner. That would be fun.”

She will be joining friend and club teammate Gabby Deshotel of Bayside this summer who also signed with the Blazers primarily as a hitter/blocker.

“I love setting to Gabby and watching her hit. And I’m so glad we’ll be going in together. They talked about me setting mostly but also blocking, so I’m looking forward to working on that with her. She’s a great blocker as well as hitter.”

Kercher agreed the two have potential to be leaders right away in their first year.

“I think if they have a really good group of freshmen coming in this year to match these two who will definitely be good enough to get a lot playing time right off the bat,” Kercher said. “Then Amber and Gabby will make a good core to build an offense around right away and into the future. And also having played together and against each other will help tremendously with their adjustment to the college game.”

The daughter of Bobby and Michelle Treace plans to major in medical marketing. Her younnger sister Ashley Treace also plays and will be an eighth grader next year.

“I just want to thank God and my parents and grandparents (Gene and Anita Buckelew) who supported all of us and helped us get better growing up,” she said. “My sisters and also coach Kercher and (SF assistant coach) Kevin (Frazier) and all my club coaches who helped me. I was lucky to have such great coaches.”