GATESVILLE – Erica Bradley has been a three-sport athlete most of her prep career.

The Gates County High School graduate played volleyball, basketball and softball most of her time playing for the Red Barons – and was a standout in all three.

As she prepares to head for the collegiate level, Bradley will be concentrating her efforts on the softball field after committing to play for Methodist University in Fayetteville.

Bradley said she was excited about the opportunity to play at Methodist and felt good about the program.

“I like where the school is and I think they have a good program,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the chance to get an education and continue to play softball.”

The Monarchs indeed finished the 2011 campaign with a 21-19 overall mark and finished 12-5 in the USA South Conference.

Bradley missed her senior season of playing softball at Gates County due to surgery on her knee. She said she hopes to be completely healed by December and ready to play softball this coming fall.

As she looks back on her career at Gates County High School, Bradley said she learned good sportsmanship while playing at the school and that will help her as she plays at the next level.

Bradley plans to major in chemistry and wants to be a pharmacist when she finishes school.

Bradley follows her sister, Jalissa, into college athletics and calls her sister a mentor.

“I would say my sister has been the greatest mentor,” she said. “Even though she’s only four years older than me, everything I have done is an attempt to reflect her accomplishments. She is the common big sister: a bully sometimes, but more a great role model and fantastic supporter.”

Bradley is a senior at Gates County High School who resides in Hobbsville. She is the daughter of Dr. Jerry and Adrienne Bradley.

She attends St. John AME Zion Church in Sunbury. She has been an active participant in athletics during her youth and began playing travel softball at 10 years of age.

She has played basketball, soccer and softball at the Gates County Community Center and has played basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer and run cross-country at Central Middle School and Gates County High. She has received numerous trophies, awards and recognitions for her athletic ability.