BRADENTON -- For Brittany Jaco, the decision was a no-brainer.

She wanted to play volleyball at the next level and she wanted to go some where with a good physical therapy program.

State College of Florida offered both. So the Braden River senior signed with the Manatees on Tuesday.

“I was looking at some other schools,” said Jaco, who played different positions for the Pirates but will serve as a defensive specialist at SCF. “But I wanted to go to SCF.”

Jaco chose the Manatees after meeting the coach, Carmine Garofalo, formerly of Southeast, and the players.

“All the girls were great,” Jaco said. “We bonded very well.”

Jaco helped the Pirates to back-to-back state titles and regional championship games in 2009-10, and helped a young Braden River team reach the Class 7A-District 11 semifinals this past season.

The Pirates were ousted by powerhouse Venice, by Jaco capped her career that night with 29 digs and 24 kills. Jaco said she isn’t sure where she go after two years at SCF, but she does know one thing.

“I want to continue to play volleyball,” she said, “whether it’s indoor or outdoor.”

Jaco wasn’t the only local star to sign with SCF, as Southeast’s Brittane’ Hunter also chose the Manatees.

Hunter helped the Noles claim their second consecutive district title, totaling eight blocks, 10 kills, eight digs and three aces during the Class 5A-District 12 final against Bayshore.

The Manatees went 13-20 last season, but won the Suncoast Conference title and two games at the FCCAA Region 8 state tournament in 2010.