Linsey Morningstar was ready to play junior college volleyball if it helped her accomplish her goal.

Turns out the May Free State High graduate didn’t need to.

Morningstar signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play volleyball at Temple University in Philadelphia. Barton County Community College in Great Bend was the original option — not a bad one, either, considering the Cougars finished fifth in the NJCAA last season.

“My lifelong dream was to play Division One volleyball,” Morningstar said. “If I could’ve done that by playing at a juco for two years and then play D-I after that, that would’ve been fine. But then Temple came up.”

In fact, if not for girls soccer and a variety of other school-related spring activities, Morningstar probably would have signed a long time ago.

“In February, my club team played at a tournament in Las Vegas and their coaches saw me play,” she said. “I sent them a video and they responded, but I really didn’t get a chance to do anything about it until after school was over.”

Firebirds coach Nancy Hopkins thought Morningstar always had D-I talent, but figured the sit-out-a-year factor might play a big part in Morningstar’s decision.

“I knew she was kinda wavering whether she wanted to play at a D-I or a juco first,” Hopkins said. “Usually a freshman has to sit. I don’t think she wants to do that, but I think she realizes how it can be at that level.”

Morningstar, who was among the Sunflower League leaders in assists, aces, hitting efficiency and blocks, said those were the only schools she was really considering, mostly because she knew her D-I options would still be available after two years at BCCC.

Free State High graduate Linsey Morningstar is headed to Temple. Though she considered attending junior college next season, Morningstar signed a volleyball letter of intent with the Owls last week.

Temple, which advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season en route to a 28-7 season, had the added bonus of being smack dab in Philly’s hub, which appealed to the 5-foot-10 setter.

“I wanted to get away from here,” Morningstar said. “I like the city.”

She’s the 10th Lawrence high school athlete to sign with a Division One school this year and the fifth from Free State.

Morningstar left Saturday for the rest of the summer to play in more tournaments with her club team, Topeka Impact, which just finished the Junior Olympic National Tournament in Atlanta. She set and hit for the Firebirds, but is a full-time setter for the Impact, which is what she’ll focus on at Temple.

“They want me to set,” she said. “They have a setter who’s a junior right now, so they don’t expect me to come in and start. But I’m going go for it, see what I can do.”

When she arrives at campus next month, the lifelong dream will finally be a reality. Until then, she’s not nervous about making the jump to Division One — yet.

“In August, when I get up there, it’s going to sink in,” Morningstar said.

Morningstar’s older sister Jamie played volleyball at Kansas University.