Sometimes the door opens and life’s next destination is across the ocean.

For Sharae Esprecion, it’ll be right here in the middle of the Pacific, at Hawaii Pacific University.

The Campbell infielder was one of 17 student-athletes to sign letters of intent Wednesday in a ceremony hosted by the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance at the Elks Club in Waikiki.

Esprecion, a standout second baseman, has been a classic Saber role model.

"I’m proud that so many of our players go to four-year colleges," coach David Perreira said. "She’s always been a terrific student with a 3.5 GPA, taking AP classes. As a player, she’s outstanding at second base, covers a lot of ground and saves us from a lot of hits."

Esprecion considered going to Southern Nevada Junior College, where former Hawaii-Hilo coach Callen Perreira is the coach.

"HPU stayed on her and offered her something she couldn’t refuse," David Perreira said. "It’s a good four-year university."

One key to preparing student-athletes for a day like Wednesday, he added, is early planning.

"A lot of our kids are self-motivated, and we’re trying to get them going earlier academically instead of waiting until senior year," said Perreira, a counselor at the school. "Sharae was on it early."

Though it was spring signing, seven of the signees are football players. Farrington linebacker Semo Sila signed with St. Francis (Pa.), while Kamehameha running back Bronson Barretto and linebacker Jarome Ching will go to Pacific University (Ore.).

Sila doesn’t know much yet about his future home away from home.

"It’s Pittsburgh Steelers country," said Sila, who intends to study criminal justice. "My parents felt like it’s far, but it’s my only option, so I’m taking it."

Punahou two-sport standout Zachary Hernandez signed with Columbia. The three-time state wrestling champion intends to focus on school and wrestling, then take up football in two years.

"I feel awesome. It felt really good to make it official. I’m really excited about going up there. I’ve been working out hard," said Hernandez, who won the 189-pound weight class this year. "I’ll probably wrestle at 184 my freshman year (at Columbia). It’s going to take a lot of discipline, especially on a college campus."

Hernandez enjoyed a visit to the school earlier in the year. His interest in business made the possibility of internships in New York City appealing.

Brayden Ayrton Hill, also a Punahou football player, has been best friends with Hernandez since seventh grade. Hill signed with Air Force.

"My dad’s a pilot in the Air Force, so I’ve been around it all my life. I want to become a pilot, so one of the best ways to do that is through the Air Force," said Hill, who will enter the institution’s prep academy first.

Another Buffanblu, Sean Gruebner, signed with UCLA. He played on Punahou’s state-championship basketball team, but will play volleyball for the Bruins.

"It’s the whole package," said Gruebner, who considered Oregon. "It’s L.A. You can’t get bored there."

Then there’s Ashley Johnson, who will graduate from Moanalua and soon thereafter fly far away. She’ll play volleyball at North Carolina A&T.

"I wanted to try something new. They’re starting a new program this year," the libero said. "High school, we didn’t really do much (off-court) training. But now they sent me a plan for summer workouts, so it’s a lot different. I’ve never lifted weights before."

Another volleyball player, Haley Pa‘akaula of Kamehameha, is on her way to the East Coast. She signed with Towson (Md.), turning down opportunities at Nevada, Hawaii-Hilo and HPU.

"It’s a different culture and I’m ready to experience something different," she said. "It’s 45 minutes from D.C. and 20 minutes from Baltimore. I haven’t had a chance to visit yet."

She connected to Towson when coach Bruce Atkinson was here for a clinic earlier in the year. Atkinson graduated from Brigham Young-Hawaii and is married to a former Hilo resident. The Tigers went 23-9 and reached the final of the Colonial Athletic Association tourney.

Punahou’s Alexander Kimura signed on with Ohio State in air riflery.

"I’m excited. Relieved. It’s been a long journey," he said. "There have been a couple of Hawaii kids there the past few years. It’s a good school, so that’s why I chose it. The coach thinks we can try for the national championship, so we’ll see."

Kamehameha volleyball player Kawai Robins-Hardy signed with Notre Dame de Namur.

"I like their academics and I’ve just heard great things about the school. We come back and play HPU and UH-Hilo," she said of her new school’s affiliation in the Pacific West Conference.

Another Warriors spiker, Pua Mo‘okini Oliveira, signed with Cal Lutheran.

"I wanted to say close to home and California is far enough away for me," the outside hitter said.

Moanalua’s Kaimi Morreira became Idaho State’s fifth soccer recruit this year.

"I’m excited. I’ve known the coach since I was 12," said Morreira, who was part of a development program that included Allison Gibson, who later became ISU’s coach.