Copley commits to Kent State University
For many seniors at Aurora High School looking and applying to colleges is on the top of their priority list. But for some students, such as Morgan Copley the hard part is already over.
At the end of Copley's Junior year she committed to Kent State University on a volleyball scholarship.
Copley states that she’s been playing volleyball since middle school, “I first started playing at Ignite in the 6th grade and then in 7th grade I started playing for AVC (The Academy of Volleyball in Cleveland) on a national team. AVC is where I have been for the past 6 years.”
Playing volleyball year round and switching between school and Junior Olympic travel teams is no easy task, but for Copley, committing to Kent made it all worth it.
Not only is a lifelong commitment to volleyball enough, but the college recruiting process is just as grueling. Copley states her recruiting process experience, “I started out by emailing schools and really just getting my name out there. Then I started calling schools on the phone to set up a relationship. Later in the process I started visits and going to overnight camps.”
Throughout the recruiting process Copley fell in love with a D1 school right down the road, choosing Kent State for their, “phenomenal nursing program, which is the field of study I want to get into. Also the coaching staff is amazing, they all really embrace you and make you feel at home. The girls on the team are super nice and very dedicated to their sport.”
Looking back on her volleyball career, Copley identifies her parents and coaches to be her biggest influencers. “If it wasn't for my mom and dad driving me to practice 5 out of 7 days a week and paying for hotels and club fees I never would have been in the spot I am today. Other than my parents, my coaches have also been some of my biggest supports, they have pushed me both on and off the court and made me into the player I am today.”
Specifically, Copley found her most recent Junior Olympic coach, Meredith Gromala, to be a big supporter and influencer not only on the court, but in life. “She stood out from my other coaches in the past and gave me some of the best training. Meredith pushed my teammates and I so hard and made us a winning team. I give a lot of credit to her for my success and I couldn't thank her enough for what she has done for my teammates and I.”
Looking into her future Copley plans to be a valuable add on to the Kent State Volleyball Team and a player they can count on in the gym.
Copley states, "I commited to Kent as a right side hitter. I hope to use my previous training and coaching from AVC to perform to the best of my abilities and really make an impact at the net."
