Athens midfielder Audra Davis shields the ball from two John Carroll defenders in the first half of the 2015 6A girls semifinal.

Audra Davis will be staying close to home and playing for a Division I soccer program in the fall.

The Athens senior originally planned to sign with Huntington College in Montgomery, but recently accepted a scholarship from the University of North Alabama.

A five-foot-six defender, Davis was named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 River City Tournament, was Athens Most Valuable Player and top goal scorer in 2016.

She helped lead Athens to the state Final Four in both 2014 and 2015, and to the finals of the 2017 River City Tournament with her club team Huntsville Futbol Club.

“Audra is a huge inspiration on and off the field and I know she will do great things at UNA,” Athens head coach Beth Horn said.

A member of the National Honor Society and BETA Club, Davis also had her team’s highest grade point average in 2015. UNA is currently a Division II program competing in the Gulf South Conference, but will transition to D-I beginning next year.