Abilene High softball standout Brieyonna Reed took the first step toward extending her career to the collegiate level on Monday, making her commitment to McMurry University official at a signing day ceremony at Eagle Gym.

Flanked by gymnast Azurae Martin (Hardin-Simmons University for cheerleading), distance runner Aldo Sanchez (HSU for cross country and track) and tennis player Syler Richardson (Gordon College in Massachusetts), Reed signed her college paperwork in front of a mob of maroon-clad supporters — an experience that was a dream come true for the speedy slap hitter and center fielder.

Reed, who missed her junior season while pregnant with daughter Mai’lani, wasn’t sure what her softball future held a year ago. But she was able to return this season to help lead AHS to its deepest playoff run in school history and will now get to extend her playing days into her college years after finding the perfect opportunity right at home in Abilene.