It turns out Wisconsin-Milwaukee is right for Price

Kayla Price paid the price.

Hours of dedication to the sport of volleyball has earned the 5-foot-9 Fremd junior setter a chance to play at the Division I level.

Price made a verbal commitment Saturday to Wisconsin-Milwaukee head coach Susie Johnson and assistant Lindsey Vanden Berg.

As she began hearing from colleges, the majority Division I, Price began taking unofficial visits in May to get a better feel for the type of campus and college volleyball experience she thought might be a good fit.

She decided last weekend Milwaukee was the right place.

"I really liked the closeness to home, the size of the campus and I was really impressed by the coaching staff," said Kayla, who has helped get the Vikings off to a 7-2 start this fall.

Price, who also played soccer, basketball and softball before specializing in volleyball, has produced quite a resume.

She was a member of the 2009 Junior Olympic "All Tournament" Team (16 American Division).

Price's club team, Rolling Thunder 16 Blue, finished fifth in the American Division at Junior Olympics.

"My club coach (Peter Miramonti of Rolling Thunder) and my coaches at Fremd (Curt Pinley and Nick Vassos) have really helped me with my game," Price said. "And I have to credit all my high school and club teammates who have made me look good."

Price made the list on 2009 Prepvolleyball.com "Soph 79" (elite honorable mention).

She started and played all 6 rotations for Fremd's 2008 team that finished in the Elite Eight of the Class 4A state tournament.

When it comes to sports, Kayla sure had plenty of support from her parents.

Her father, Otis, is the director of athletics and activities for District 211. Kayla grew up in the Fremd gymnasium while her dad taught classes and coached at the high school. Otis served as a 10-month assistant principal from 1991 to 1994 at Fremd.

Kayla's mom, Lori, played volleyball at Hoffman Estates High School and the University of Central Missouri, where she was inducted into the college's Hall of Fame in 2007.

"They've obviously been very supportive of Kayla through the years," said Fremd coach Curt Pinley. "I'd see Kayla coming to matches when she was in seventh and eighth grade sitting in the stands. I think she was already making mental preparations before she even came to Fremd."

Athletically, Pinley believes Price could be best setter he has coached in his 12 years at Fremd.

"In terms of her play around the net, she is so athletic," he said. "I've never had a setter with so many tools."