Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Manistique’s Emilee McDaniel signs her letter-of-committment to play volleyball at Lake Superior State University Wednesday in the high school gym. Pictured on each side of her are her parents, Troy and Cindy. Behind is her sister Sarah.

MANISTIQUE — After having an amazing volleyball career at Manistique, Emilee McDaniel is now following in her parents’ footsteps. The 6-foot middle hitter signed her letter-of-committment to play at Lake Superior State University Wednesday in the high school gym, making the decision to attend the school both of her parents graduated from.

“It’s amazing,” McDaniel said. “I’m so excited to play and be a part of that team.”

The decision to go to Lake Superior State started a couple years ago when she attended a volleyball camp.

“Sophomore year I went to a camp at a different college, and they had asked me if I had thought about it, so I just sent out emails here and there and they answered me,” she said. “That’s how it all started and it just went from there.”

McDaniel noted her parents being alumni from there and the comfort level she had with the school played a role in her decision.

“It was partially, and I had been there with them when I was younger, so it was very comfortable,” she said. “I’m excited to be there and to have them as alumni is really nice.”

McDaniel, who will be going into pre-veterinary school, admitted she never thought she’d be playing college volleyball.

“It’s so amazing,” she said. “I never thought it would happen, so it’s so cool to do that and be able to see all the younger (Manistique players) coming up through.”

A three-year varsity starter, McDaniel helped the Emeralds win back-to-back Mid-Peninsula Conference titles and back-to-back district titles. She was also named to the M-PC first team last season.

“Emily is a three-year varsity starter, and her improvement from freshman year until now is just unbelievable, to the point that she’s being looked at by Division 2 schools,” Emeralds’ coach Amy Nixon said. “I’m excited that she’s staying in the U.P. because her parents both went to that college, so I think it means a lot for her to be there, and I’ll hopefully get to watch a lot of her games.”

McDaniel joined teammate and best friend Lenna Smith in becoming the first two Emeralds to ever sign to play college volleyball.

“It was amazing because we’re really close and we’ve grown closer ever since we’ve been playing together, so it was so cool to have her by my side and doing it together,” she said.

The strong program the Emeralds have built and the competition they face should help McDaniel when she gets to the college level.

“It’s definitely going to help me,” she said. “I’ve seen that higher level of competition, so that’s going to be a good transition going into college where it’s even more fast-paced.”

McDaniel simply wanted to thank all her supporters.

“Thank you to all of them, because without their support and encouragment and getting me through it all, I wouldn’t be where I am right now, so I appreciate everyone,” she said.