SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Kathryn Kramer has made a verbal commitment to Texas Christian University and will sign with the school's beach volleyball program on National Signing Day.

"I liked the environment at TCU," said Kramer, who made an official visit the weekend of Oct. 4. "Everyone supports all the sports programs and I felt at home when I went there."

Kramer will join a Horned Frog program coached by Hector Gutierrez, who will be entering his third season at the helm of the program this spring.

Kramer is the first Troubadour to sign with a school specifically to play beach and second to play beach at the NCAA Division I level. Alumna Zoe Nightengale '16 led USC to the first ever beach NCAA title in 2016.

"I started playing beach two years ago for fun," said Kramer. "I realized I liked it more than indoor. It is more my style and I enjoy just having me and my partner on the court."

Kramer spent the summer of 2018 in Los Angeles playing beach club ball.

"I think she is going to do an amazing job," said St. Francis Head Coach Alynn Wright. "She loves the outdoors. She has the skill set that she needs and I think she is going to do very well."

Kramer has been a four-year member of the St. Francis volleyball team, helping the team to back-to-back Delta League titles. She is one of three seniors on the 2018 team and one of the squad's captains, a role that she has grown into over her career.

"Being a captain is an honor," said Kramer. "I think I have grown out of my comfort zone and as a captain this year, I have to talk more and be more of a presence on the court. Compared to my freshman year, I was shy and did not talk at all. I have changed as a player by talking and being a leader on the court."

Kramer, who has tallied 776 kills in her career, ranked second on the team in kills as a junior with 403, earning All-Delta League honors. She is hitting at a career best 39 percent this season, leading the team to a 25-3 overall record.

"I think her outdoor game has helped her indoor game," said Wright. "She sees the court better and has few more tools in her belt so to speak. She is able to get herself out of tight situations at the net using her outdoor skills. She has lot of different shots now and it has helped her quickness and jump."

Kramer and her teammates begin playoffs on Oct. 23 with hopes for a long playoff run. She will officially sign with TCU on National Signing Day on Nov. 14, three days before the Volleyball State Championship.