Freeland forward Michelle Herring (7) reaches back to kick the ball during a game against Hemlock. (Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Michelle Herring is a soccer player, but that’s about as definitive as she gets.

The Freeland High School senior has signed to play for Michigan State University next season after earning back-to-back Division 3 first team all-state honors the past two seasons.

Herring, 18, plays center midfield for Freeland, with an occasional move to a target position. For her club team, the Bloomfield Force, she plays forward. At Michigan State, she expects to play outside midfielder.

“Wherever the ball is, that’s where I end up, I guess,” Herring said. “There were a lot of smaller schools that were interested in me, like Saginaw Valley (State University). I played club soccer, and I got a lot of attention from schools.

“I went to a Michigan State camp, and they started to get more serious after that. I made the decision in the summer.”

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Freeland's Michelle Herring watches the ball after kicking it during the Division 3 regional final on June 10, 2016 at the Brookwood Athletic Complex, 670 Ann Arbor Trail in Clare. (Josie Norris | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Herring helped lead Freeland to three straight semifinals

Herring was an honorable mention all-state pick as a freshman and has followed with back-to-back first team honors.

In her three seasons, the Falcons have won three district titles and three regional championships, falling all three years in the Division 3 semifinals. In her freshman season, Freeland was 21-3-3 after falling to Detroit Country Day in the semifinals.

In the last two seasons, Freeland has lost to Hudsonville Unity Christian in the semifinals, finishing the seasons with 23-5 and 19-3-1 records respectively.

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Hudsonville Unity Christian's Casandra Besteman and Freeland's Michelle Herring fight for control of the ball during the division 3 state semifinals game at Cedar Springs High School in Cedar Springs, Mich., Tuesday, June 9, 2015. (Hugh Carey | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Herring's senior season 'bittersweet'

“It’s kind of bittersweet, because it’s her last season, and she’s been here all four years,” Freeland coach Lauren Deroo said. “I started coaching her four years ago, and she was part of my first team. These are my kids, and it’s great to see them move on but it’s bittersweet that they’re leaving.”

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Michelle Herring (7) from Freeland chases the ball down the field during the Division 3 Girls Soccer Regional semifinals game against Roscommon Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Brockwood Athletic Complex in Clare. Freeland won 5-0. (Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Herring has heart for soccer

Herring does not play any other sports, focusing on soccer.

“She does everything well, but her ability to control the ball sets her apart,” Deroo said. “She has all the ability, but she also has an incredible love for the game. She has the heart for soccer. You combine her love of the game with her ability to play it, and you have a player who could get all-state all four years of her career.”

Herring’s grade-point average is over 4.0. She’s also the National Honor Society president, the Freeland Student Council vice president and the editor of the Freeland High School newspaper.

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Freeland's Michelle Herring and Hudsonville Unity Christian's Casandra Besteman head the ball during the division 3 state semifinals game at Cedar Springs High School in Cedar Springs, Mich., Tuesday, June 9, 2015. (Hugh Carey | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Michelle Herring Facts

Michelle Herring facts

Height: 5-8

Year: Senior

Position: Midfield

College: Michigan State

Other sports: None

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Michelle Herring (7) from Freeland moves in front of the ball to block it during the Division 3 Girls Soccer Regional semifinals game against Roscommon Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Brockwood Athletic Complex in Clare. Freeland won 5-0. (Andrew Whitaker | MLive.com File)

Hugh Bernreuter | MLive.com

Michelle Herring favorites

Michelle Herring's favorites

Favorite Class: Math

Favorite Sports Movie: She’s the Man

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite Junk Food: Popcorn

Favorite TV Show: The Office

Sports Role Models: Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan

Favorite song to sing along to: Anything country

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Michelle Herring eyes another all-state season as a senior at Freeland High School.

Michelle Herring talks about senior season, MSU future

Michelle Herring will play for Michigan State next season.