Rich Lawton went to Colorado College.

His wife, Sue, went to athletic rival University of Denver.

Their daughter, Julia, will be the first of their three children to go off to college. And after a solid career as a libero/defensive specialist for the Durango High School girls volleyball team, one of her parents’ alma maters came calling, and Sue Lawton soon will be outnumbered 2-to-1 at the dinner table.

Julia Lawton will join the Tigers of Colorado College in the fall as one of two defensive specialists listed on the roster. Her proud mother said she’s taken some good-natured ribbing from former classmates over her daughter’s decision and threw out some good-natured ribbing of her own.

“Julia had always said she wouldn’t pick one over the other because she couldn’t do that to her parents. Clearly, she got over that,” Sue Lawton said jokingly.

Rivalry aside, the ability to play Division III volleyball at a school known for ranking fairly high among its liberal arts peers appealed to Lawton. One of the core group of seniors that helped push DHS to the state tournament last fall, Lawton was no slouch in the classroom either, carrying a 4.1 grade-point average, and she was a member of the National Honor Society.

While she’s still undecided as far as her course of study, the opportunity to continue to play while achieving her academic goals was too good to pass up.

“When I was looking at schools, I wasn’t really looking at how successful they were. I was mostly looking at the school part, and if I could play volleyball there, that was a huge bonus,” Lawton said.

When she reports for practice Aug. 14 in Colorado Springs, Lawton won’t be the only former Demon wearing the black and gold.

Haley Hamilton, who helped the Demons to a third-place finish at state in 2006, will be a senior middle blocker next season, and Lawton said their relationship was a major factor in her decision.

“She’s been my sister since forever,” Lawton said. “Before she went there, I was a little skeptical. It was a little small; I was afraid of liking it a little bit. But she definitely warmed me up to it.”

It didn’t hurt matters that CC’s built an impressive volleyball résumé under current head coach Rick Swan. In Swan’s 13 seasons in charge, the Tigers have yet to miss the NCAA tournament, racking up a record of 299-124 in the process, including a 30-7 mark in 2010.

Preparing to add to that legacy, Lawton kept a busy club schedule throughout the winter and has been a fixture at twice-weekly open gyms at DHS.

The area she most wants to improve? Consistency, she said.

As far as her ability to transition to the next level, DHS head coach Robin Oliger said Lawton’s outspoken nature lends well to her position and should lend well to the college game.

“Julia has great leadership skills, which, to play that position, you have to be willing to step out. It’s kind of a bossy position,” Oliger said. “You have to take control. If you don’t, nobody knows who’s getting the ball in the back row.”

For Oliger and Terene Foutz, a staple as a coach in the Durango volleyball community, placing another DHS alum in the college volleyball ranks is a point of pride. And for Dr. Rich Lawton, it’s going to be a mix of emotions for him to watch his daughter play on the campus he once called home.

“It’s a little scary, but (I’m) also comforted by the familiarity of the community and the school,” he said. “I’d say a combination of fright and excitement.”

rowens@durangoherald.com