Growing up, Sarah Luebbert would go to Missouri women's soccer matches and get autographs from the Tiger players.
Now Luebbert will be one of those players handing out the autographs as the Jefferson City High School senior has signed a letter of intent to play for the Tigers starting next fall.
"I was a ball girl up there and I thought it would be cool to be part of it again," Luebbert said Monday. "Being able to play in the SEC and play close to home is great."
Luebbert, who orally committed to Missouri as a sophomore, is recognized as one of the top players in her age group in the country. She twice participated in the Nike National Training Camp in Beaverton, Ore.
Last summer, Luebbert was one of just 29 high-school seniors invited to the event.
"When Nike flies you out two years in a row, it shows you what people think of Sarah," Jefferson City coach Eddie Horn said. "She's on the national stage and is on the radar for the national teams."
Luebbert began training at age 12 with the Scott Gallagher Club in St. Louis.
"She has worked so hard to get here and it's great to see that hard work get rewarded," Horn said. "There are a lot of sacrifices to get to where she is today."
Luebbert will play at forward for the Tigers.
"I know they're trying to play more of a passing style, which is how we played in club and here," Luebbert said.
Luebbert won't play for the Lady Jays this spring. She will enroll at Missouri for the spring semester.
"They didn't push me, it was my idea," Luebbert said. "I can get a semester in to get ready for the fall season and maybe be a key player for them."
Luebbert is the third Lady Jay in program history to sign a Division I letter of intent, joining Alena Thom (Wake Forest) and Courtney Kolb (Missouri State).
"There is no doubt Sarah is one of the best to ever wear the uniform here at Jefferson City," Horn said. "She has a bright future."
Missouri finished 9-5-5 this season, finishing second in the SEC.