Rosewood's Morgan signs to play volleyball at MOC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 14, 2013 1:48 PM

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A season of travel volleyball taught Ellen Morgan the value of teamwork.

And how to become a leader on and off the court.

She realized she wanted her senior year at Rosewood High to be one that wasn't filled with either bickering or jealousy among teammates, and no personality clashes with head coach Jennifer Cochran.

"I had to change my attitude so I could have a better relationship with her and the team," Morgan said. "It was my senior year and I wanted to go all out. Of course, I wanted to win, but I wanted a team that was a family, no drama ... we're all in it together win or lose, and it happened.

"(Being) positive is the key to success. I learned last year that volleyball is not a one-person sport. You have to have everybody on the court working their hardest or you cannot do anything (successfully)."

That "self-resurrection" opened college coaches' eyes, especially a pair close to home. Morgan signed a national letter-of-intent to play volleyball next season at Division II Mount Olive College.

Numerous programs recruited the middle hitter, a four-time all-Carolina Conference performer who cranked out 1,010 career kills. Morgan pounded out 373 kills this season and helped lead the Eagles to 22 wins -- the second-highest, single-season victory total during Cochran's tenure as head coach.

Morgan led Rosewood to 20 wins in 2010 as a freshman and earned the News-Argus volleyball player-of-the-year award. The Eagles collected 75 total wins and made four appearances in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A playoffs during her prep career.

"I think it's a good decision," said Cochran, a former MOC player and alum. "She's able to stay close to home and we can go watch her play, which is kind of exciting. It's a good program and they have good Christian values.

"Academically, I think that small-school environment will help her."

Morgan is a National Honor Society member and a three-time NCHSAA Scholar Athlete recipient. She plans to pursue a degree in physical education and coach volleyball.

Until then, she hopes to earn considerable playing time from MOC head coach Sarah Lusk. Senior middle hitter Carly White will graduate this season, but Montgomery Register and Dezirae Mackey are expected to fill that void in 2014.

Part of a 10-player recruiting class, Morgan says she must not only fine-tune her offense, but become a stronger defender at the net, too. She is playing for Eastern Elite Volleyball Club 18-Under head coach Steve Mau, who is helping her improve her vertical jump and blocking skills.

"I don't really work on defense that much, which is my problem," Morgan said. "I'm going to work really hard, definitely push and go all out now so I will be ready."