THOMAS – Snake River High School volleyball player Abby Morgan signed a letter of intent Tuesday to attend University of Montana Western to play volleyball and study biology.

A four-year player in both volleyball and basketball at Snake River, Morgan was happy to be asked to join UMW, whose athletic programs play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Morgan was named first-team 3A all-state after last volleyball season.

“It is so cool to be headed to Montana to play volleyball,” Morgan said. “It has been one of my dreams to have this opportunity and since they have a strong biology program, it fits right into my life's goals as well, as I would like to study physical therapy.”

The scholarship is for full tuition, which still leaves Morgan and her parents on the hook for books, room and board, but it is a major help financially. The package that was offered is in the $16,000 range annually.

“We are so happy for Abby and this fits right into her goals,” Abby's father, Cory Morgan, said. “She is a good student and we know that she will be successful, and she will get to play volleyball as well.”

While at Snake River, Morgan was a strong outside hitter, but also played middle blocker. She doesn't know where she will play at Montana Western.

“I am sure that they will play me where they need help to start with,” Morgan said. “I will play anywhere they ask me to. I just am looking forward to being on campus in August and learning to fit in where they put me.”

While she was also a star in basketball, Morgan will not pursue any basketball activities while on campus at Montana Western.

She will report to campus in Dillon, Montana, in mid-August to begin volleyball activities and get started on her collegiate experience. Classes start toward the end of August and early September.