Mercy volleyball’s Morgan Elmore
Morgan Elmore is a winner, plain and simple.
In her four years as setter on the Mercy Academy volleyball team the Jaguars have won 141 of 161 matches, four Sixth Region titles, one state championship and one national title. This weekend she hopes to add four more victories and another state title.
Mercy (30-7), which is ranked No. 3 in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association’s Top 25, plays Allen Central (32-5) at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon in the first round of the state tournament at Valley High School. If the Jaguars win, they could play No. 1 Assumption, which has beaten them twice this season, at 2 p.m. Saturday. The state final will be 2 p.m. Sunday.
When, and how, did you get started playing volleyball?
After I quit dance, when I was 9, I started playing at St. Edward. My coach there really encouraged me to play club volleyball. Then I got into it and just loved all the travel. It kind of took off from there.
What are your thoughts heading into the state tournament this weekend?
It’s very exciting to go have a chance to repeat in the tournament that we won last year. This year we’re kind of the underdogs, but I think we’re peaking at the right time. If we play our game I think we can make it all the way to the state finals.
You have committed to Lipscomb University. Why Lipscomb?
Well, it started out with the city of Nashville, it’s beautiful and I love it there. … Lipscomb was actually my first college visit ever. I loved the coaches and the team, they were fun to be around, by the time it was over I knew that was where I wanted to go. I only took one other visit.
What other school did you visit?
Notre Dame. But, surprisingly, Lipscomb was my favorite.
What do you think you’ll study in college?
Probably dietetics or psychology. I’ve always liked nutrition and exercise and really like the way the human body works. And this year I’m taking psychology and it’s been really interesting.
What’s been the favorite moment of your high school career so far?
The last point of the state finals. It lasted for like six or seven rallies; after it was over we all dove on the floor. It was the best moment of my life so far.
What do you think makes you a good player?
Definitely my competitiveness. I also like it when my teammates look to me in tough situations. I like being a leader on the team and trying to make the right things happen at the right time.
What’s this season been like after losing six seniors, and your coach, from last season?
It’s definitely been a year of change. I think we’ve done better than people thought we would, especially after losing six seniors and our coach. It’s taken a little while to get used to things, but we’ve had a lot of people step up. I think now we’re finally clicking.
What are your hobbies?
I really like to draw and paint, and spend time with my family and friends.
What else do you like to do?
I like to read and go to the movies.
There are a lot of big movies coming out in the next couple of months, is there one that you’re looking forward to?
Definitely Mockingjay Part 2.
What do you like about the Hunger Games, and that series?
I really like the hero, Katniss Everdeen. She has a lot of good qualities and I aspire to be like her.
It probably doesn’t hurt that Jennifer Lawrence is from Louisville, right?
Yeah, that’s part of it too.
MORGAN ELMORE UP CLOSE
School: Mercy Academy.
Year: Senior.
Sport: Volleyball.
Student-athlete: Morgan, whose favorite classes are psychology and art, has a 4.0 GPA. In addition to being a four-year starter for the volleyball team Morgan is also a member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (the mathematics honor society) as well as the Book and Spanish clubs.
Family: Morgan, 17 (she turns 18 Tuesday), lives with her mom, Kelly; dad, Dave; and younger brother, Bryce, 15, who is a sophomore and football and baseball player at St. Xavier.
Mercy coach Matthew Thomerson on Morgan: “A leader. Leadership. A winner. Calm under pressure. Gets it done, that’s the bottom line. That kid, she works hard, but when she’s under pressure she’s calm and when the game gets tighter she’s at her best. She’s the leader on the floor with her actions. Just a great kid. She’s awesome.”