Arizona Christian University has established a strong pipeline of talent from Sierra High.

The latest Timberwolf to commit to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school is girls volleyball standout Rebecca Thomson. She was supported by family, friends, teammates, coaches and administrators Wednesday as she signed her letter of intent at the Sierra cafeteria.

Thomson follows alumni Deshon Thomas (2020, baseball) and Christian Threadgill (2021, football) to Glendale. She got to catch up with Thomas while visiting the campus back in September, and their conversations proved helpful in her making the big decision.

So why ACU? Let her count the ways.

“There are so many things,” Thomson said. “I like that they are a Christian university — that was one of the things I held high on my list of colleges. I also like that it is a very athletic school. About 98% of the student population are athletes. It’s a very small school, but very athlete oriented. I like the coaches, they’re super nice, and being with the program just felt right.”

Thomson initially came in contact with the Arizona Christian coaching staff, led by sixth-year head coach Micah Briscoe, while competing with Pulse Volleyball Club at a tournament last January.

On her visit, Thomson got to train with the team.

“I liked that their practices will challenge me to be a better player, but it didn’t feel stressful or anything like that,” Thomson said. “The coaches are very, very nice, and we had very good and deep conversations about school and what my future would look like. Those were serious conversations that I was looking to have and they provided those for me.”

Thomson said she will major in biology and is looking into a career as a physical therapist.

Most ACU athletic programs have been a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference since the 2012-13 academic year. The Firestorm’s women’s volleyball team has had its best seasons in the GSAC era while under Briscoe’s watch, finishing 17-14 in 2019 while setting program records across the board. This past season, they went 7-11 in conference play and 10-16 overall.

Arizona Christian is getting a proven winner and leader in Thomson, who has excelled in three sports (soccer, swimming) while at Sierra. As setter for the volleyball team, she helped raise the program to unprecedented heights in an historic senior campaign that culminated in the program’s first Valley Oak League championship, first home playoff match and first playoff victory in its 27th varsity season.

Coached by Kim Ellis, Sierra finished undefeated in the VOL at 10-0 and 24-5 overall. The cherry on top: The Timberwolves’ skilled setter was named the league’s MVP. Thomson produced 524 assists, 78 kills, 11 blocks, 63 aces and 160 digs.

“Honestly, the accomplishments were awesome and super fun, but the team is what did it for me,” Thomson said. “The teammates and people I was surrounded by every day made me a better player.

“(Getting league MVP) was a really cool feeling,” she added. “My coaches really pushed me to work hard for that and helped me set goals for the season. I feel like my hard work did pay off.”