Plagued by indecisiveness about her future for several months, Free State High senior Banaka Okwuone finally had a moment of clarity two weeks ago.

Funny how the promise of a free college education will do that to a person.

Seated before a large throng of vocal well-wishers inside the Free State library, the two-sport star signed a national letter of intent Tuesday to play volleyball at Southern University next fall, joining a sorority of more than a half-dozen Firebirds who have taken their games to the Division I level.

Okwuone is headed to the Baton Rouge, La., school on a “full ride” – the final, decisive factor for the aspiring doctor who was named Free State’s scholar-athlete of the year during a banquet Monday night.

“I’ve been talking to them for quite awhile,” said Okwuone, who also strongly considered the University of Washington and Howard University. “Every single week, it seemed like my decision changed. Then they just offered me a full scholarship and I was like, ‘This is probably the right school.’

Free State High's Banaka Okwuone signs a letter of intent to attend Southern University as her mom, Lillie Okwuone, looks on. Okwuone finalized her decision to play volleyball at the Baton Rouge, La., school Tuesday.

“A couple of weeks ago, I never would have thought that’s what it would have come down to.”

The Jaguars’ willingness to show Okwuone the money only confirmed the good vibe she encountered while visiting the school on her official recruiting visit. Okwuone developed a quick chemistry with the Southern coaching staff, liked what she heard about the school’s sports medicine curriculum and relished the university’s location in her mom’s native Louisiana.

“It just felt comfortable and a place that I could enjoy,” Okwuone said.

The decision to wait until mid-May to finalize her college plans means a whirlwind summer awaits. Okwuone is leaving for a trip to Europe in two weeks, and will begin ironing out the details for her relocation to Cajun country once she gets back.

The plan is for the 5-foot-11 outside hitter to fill that same role at Southern, but a decision on whether she’ll play as a true freshman or take a redshirt her first season hasn’t been discussed at this point.

Whatever the route, Free State volleyball coach Nancy Hopkins is secure in her belief that Okwuone will leave a lasting impression in her college digs.

“I have no doubts that she’ll succeed in whatever she wants to do,” said Hopkins before honing in on the volleyball specifics.

“They’ll put her as an outside hitter, and with her vertical (leap) and arm speed, she’ll be outstanding. She’ll probably dominate the entire conference.”