By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

There are many multiple-sport athletes in high school but rarely do athletes play more than one sport in college. Twin River's Briana Johnson is an exception.

Johnson recently signed to play basketball and volleyball at Williams Baptist in Walnut Ridge, Ark.

Johnson said the school doesn't usually allow athletes play two sports but is glad she has the opportunity.

"I was extremely happy with it I don't have to choose," Johnson said. "I am going to play both and work on school."

There were other my schools interested in Johnson but she liked Williams Baptist the best.

"It is close to home and I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the coaches and the players," she said. "I pretty much clicked there."

Johnson knows that there may be even more commitment than normal with two sports.

"I am going to be disciplined on it," she said. "On road trips I will take work with me and when I am not playing I will be studying and working."

During her senior year on the Lady Royals volleyball team Johnson had 216 kills and an 85 percent hitting percentage along with 54 blocks Those numbers were all team highs.

"She has a lot of power and is a powerful hitter but also has the softest hands," Twin Rivers volleyball coach Kelly Null said. "She is such a combination of good things."

She also made the All-Conference team along with getting All-Region honorable mention and All-State honorable mention her senior season.

Although the volleyball team had numerous seniors, Johnson was a physical leader on the team, Null said.

"When the was on the line and we wanted game the ball to go to somebody our girls were confident with the ball going to her," Null said.

As for basketball, she averaged 13.5 points and 12.5 rebounds over her senior year. She had 997 rebounds for her career which is a school record.

"She is one of the better rebounders I have ever had," Twin Rivers coach Jeff Walk said. "You can count on her getting those."

Johnson was a versatile athlete who could have played at different spots on the court, Walk said.

"What impressed me more than anything, she could pass the ball the length of the floor on a dime," said. "She is about 5-8 but plays taller and has great timing and good hands."

As she moves a level up, her ballhandling will have to improve, Walk said.

"I can handle the ball OK," Johnson said. "Handling the ball under pressure is what I have got to work on."

Johnson's position may change from time to time at the next level, she said.

"They told me I would be a No. 3, play inside sometimes and play outside sometimes," Johnson said. "I feel more comfortable inside but being at a four-year I will be up against better girls."