Johnson signs with Arizona State

Flathead High School senior Kwyn Johnson signed her national letter of intent to play volleyball at Arizona State University on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA early signing period.

Johnson verbally committed to the Sun Devils eight months ago, but couldn’t make that pledge official until the early signing period opened.

“It doesn’t really feel real yet,” Johnson said shortly after signing her letter of intent. “I don’t think it will feel real until I’m actually down there in July for school, but it’s awesome. It’s a good feeling.”

Johnson chose Arizona State over offers from Colorado State, the University of San Diego and the University of Montana. She hasn’t decided on a major.

“They were the ones that offered me first,” Johnson said of Arizona State. “They pretty much offered me right after they saw me play the first time, so they had a lot of faith in my abilities. I really liked the coaches and I was looking to go somewhere warm.”

At Arizona State, Johnson will play in the Pac-12 conference, which has produced five of the last 10 national champions. She will be the only Montanan in the conference.

“It just doesn’t happen very often, so for it to happen to me is crazy and I’m honored,” Johnson said.

Despite battling a sore shoulder throughout her senior season, Johnson helped lead Flathead to a 12-0 regular season conference record. She finished first in the Western AA conference with a .341 attack efficiency and ranked fourth with 3.02 kills per set.

Flathead advanced to the state championship game at the Class AA tournament before losing to Billings Senior in three sets.

“I’m thrilled for Kwyn Johnson to be another DI from Montana,” Billings Senior coach Jeff Carrol said after the championship match. “For me having been around Montana volleyball for 30 years, 27 as a head coach, that’s what this has been all about. Trying to get kids an opportunity to play at the next level, and she’s going to be a great one.”

As a 6-foot-3 left-hander, Johnson has the physical attributes desired in a Division I right-side hitter, but Flathead coach Leon Wilcox said she has other attributes that will help her succeed at the next level.

“It’s going to take a deeper dedication than is required in high school because they’re going to have year-round expectations,” Wilcox said. “But Kwyn has always been one that’s been in the weight room conditioning and playing in the offseason, so she’ll adapt quickly.”

Johnson is the second Flathead volleyball player to sign with a Division I program in as many years, joining Hannah Sackett, a 2012 Flathead graduate who played volleyball at West Virginia this season.

“I think it shows that our program has been successful,” Wilcox said. “For me the greatest joy is to see them get an education paid for and using volleyball as a tool for that.”