Rylee Snyder inks National Letter of Intent to play hoops at Frostburg State University

Shanksville-Stonycreek senior Rylee Snyder is a three-sport athlete with a full gamut of talent.

Snyder is one of those special athletes.

Whether she is posting up inside on the hardwood, delivering a spike in volleyball or making plays on the softball diamond, she finds ways to make her presence felt.

Wednesday, Snyder signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her athletic career and play basketball at Division II Frostburg State University.

"I went down and visited the campus and I absolutely loved it," said Snyder. "I even said that if I didn't play basketball there, I was still going to go to school there. The coaches were awesome. I stayed with the team and they were amazing. I felt like that needed to be my home for the next four years."

Title ready: Windber seeks return to pinnacle against Westinghouse in district championship

Snyder is a four-year starter for the Vikings. She has been an integral part in Shanksville's recent success.

In 2019, the Vikings advanced to the PIAA Class A semifinals. Snyder averaged 11 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Shanksville won back-to-back district championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21. She went over 1,000 career points last season, which is her most memorable moment as a Viking, and has more than 500 rebounds.

Thriller: Somerset wins PIAA 2A thriller over Karns City behind Ross

In three seasons, Snyder is averaging 17.7 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per contest. Snyder is a two-time first team all-Somerset County selection as well as a second team honoree. She is also a two-time all-WestPAC pick.

Moving on: Ickes, Berlin stave off Covenant Christian in PIAA 1A volleyball opener

Snyder earned third team all-state honors by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers as a junior.

In volleyball, Snyder is a three-time all-county selection.

Shanksville head coach Robert Snyder, who is also Rylee's uncle, has seen her evolution as a player and knows she will contribute at the next level.

"She is a physical presence and a great rebounder," Coach Snyder said. "Her ability to utilize her body, get position and her power to finish is going to carry over into the collegiate game. She has extended her scoring range also. She has a nice mid-range and outside shot."

Snyder played AAU basketball for the CPA Dynamite. That is where Frostburg State discovered Snyder. If it were not for travel basketball, Snyder may not have had the opportunity to continue her playing career.

"They wanted the rest of my travel schedule and came to a couple tournaments," Snyder said of how she was recruited. "Playing travel basketball has really benefited me because we got to go to so many different places for tournaments. There's so many college coaches there.

"It is a lot more intense (playing AAU basketball) than high school. I get just as nervous then as I do playing a team around here."

Frostburg State plays in the Mountain East Conference. This is only the third year competing at the Division II level. Snyder will play for coach Carrie Saunders, who is entering her ninth season as head women's coach for the Bobcats.

Snyder plans to major in nursing with the goal of eventually becoming a flight nurse. She currently boasts a 4.0 GPA.

Snyder thanks parents Jason and Heather Snyder, along with coach Snyder, former Shanksville coach Cory Crognale, athletic director Stephanie Milavec and the entire school for sticking by her. She said she learned a lot from her father, and to always have a positive attitude.

Before Snyder heads to Frostburg, she hopes to finish her senior season in style. Snyder broke her ankle playing volleyball this season and will miss the start of her senior basketball campaign.

Snyder wants to return to the floor soon and help the Vikings compete for their third straight District 5 Class A title.

"I am excited to play with this team one last time," Snyder said. "We want to go back-to-back-to-back as D5 champs. I want to have a winning season and work hard this year with the girls."

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Shanksville-Stonycreek's Rylee Snyder to play D-II hoops at Frostburg St.