SANDPOINT — Sandpoint senior Laney Search, who excels both athletically and academically, signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play volleyball next season at George Fox University in the Portland suburb of Newberg, Oregon.

Search, a four-year starting setter and all-league performer at Sandpoint, has been playing volleyball since the third grade and can’t wait to test her skills at Division III George Fox, a member of the Northwest Conference.

“It’s a private Christian university. I liked the location, they have strong academics,” said Search of her choice. “I’m excited to keep competing and getting better. The coach is young and nice. She seems fun and energetic.”

Search tallied a team-high 564 set assists and 72 aces, to go with 193 kills, 274 digs and 13 blocks as a senior. While those numbers are impressive, they pale in comparison to her gaudy 4.47 GPA, which earned her Valedictorian honors this year at SHS. She plans to study biology and pre-med in college, one of the main reasons she chose George Fox.

Bulldog head coach Erin Roos knows the value Search brings to the court, one of the rare players who excels in all facets of the game.

“I definitely think she’ll make a big impact. Once they see her day in and day out in practice they’ll be blown away,” predicted Roos. “Physically, she’s not a huge player, but she plays huge.”

Search is also one of the top tennis players in North Idaho, and hopes to make another trip to state and run at a doubles title this spring.