MOSES LAKE — Esther Timofeyev led the Moses Lake Christian Academy (MLCA) to a second-place finish at the state volleyball tournament last season. Now, the senior will take her skills on the court to North Idaho College (NIC).

Timofeyev signed a national letter of intent Wednesday morning to play volleyball for the Cardinals and head coach Chris Kosty.

Playing collegiate volleyball is something Timofeyev has always wanted to do, she said.

“I have always dreamed about it,” she said. “Now it’s a reality.”

After Kosty signed Timofeyev to her letter of intent, he said Timofeyev will make an impact on his team and in the classroom.

“I think NIC will be a good fit for her academically and athletically,” he said. “She fit in really well with the team physically and personality-wise. (This) couldn’t have been a better fit.”

Timofeyev said she chose NIC because of how her future teammates and coaches made her feel when she visited the school.

“(They were) all very welcoming,” she said.

In addition to leading the MLCA Lady Lions to the best finish in school history during her senior season, Timofeyev was named the Washington state 1B volleyball player of the year.

Timofeyev’s performance on the court during her career at MLCA will be an asset for the NIC program, Kosty said.

“Her accolades are only going to add to her team,” he said. “She will be walking into a competitive, high-level program.”

The NIC Cardinals are coming off of a solid performance this season — finishing 11th nationally — and Kosty said Timofeyev will make in immediate impact.

“We are really excited to get her,” he said. “She was one of my big pick-ups this season.”