Zoe Morales '23 Recruiting Profile

I have been around volleyball all my life. Maybe this is why I always feel at home and comfortable no matter what gym, facility or arena my team and I play in because I always feel like I've been there before. It's funny but typical baby photos of me are usually in a stroller at a volleyball tournament so I guess you could say I grew up in a gym. 

I've been fortunate to have a sister that's played volleyball at an elite level. When I was eight years old, I enjoyed experiencing the true thrill of victory through my sister's eyes as I was able to watch her pile up 22 digs and help her team defeat Stanford at Cal in 2012 to advance to the first Final Four in Michigan Volleyball history. I was also present in Kentucky a week later to watch Michigan almost take down Texas, the eventual 2012 NCAA champion, in a five set highly competitive match.

Even with the enjoyment and pride from watching my sister play, and how I myself enjoyed watching the matches and working as a ball girl on occasion at Michigan home games during hard fought Big Ten matches, I wasn't sure volleyball was for me. 

I decided to join a team when I was 10 years old but I was sort of just going through the motions and trying it out. However, by the time I was twelve, the joy of competition and the feeling of being a part of something big like a hard working goal oriented team, over took me. My teammates appreciate my effort as do my many excellent coaches such as my High School coach, Tiffany Morales, my previous club coach, Tommy Chaffins (2020-2021), my past sand coach, Patty Dodd, and my 18U club coach, Lindsey Breeden (2021-2022). I am very happy to now return to Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club to play on 18-1 Rockstar. It's the club I started at when I was ten years. I am fortunate that my coach will be Joy Mckienzie Fuerbringer for my final season of club volleyball. 

I thank all who have coached me so far, for their time and patience. It fuels me that they appreciate my effort, especially in big games, where I tend to get into a zone.

I know that good things come in time. I'm dedicated to remaining on track so that I will have over 10 years of volleyball experience under my belt when I'm a college freshman. In addition to club volleyball, I have been the Bishop Montgomery High School varsity team libero since my freshman year.  In 2019, we were undefeated league champions and finished third in CIF Division 2 and 5th in the state. I was fortunate to be recognized as an All-State Freshman and was selected as First Team All League.  

I am now paving my own way.  I am the first in my family to have been selected All-CIF Southern Section DII First Team as a Junior.  And the first to be named to an All America Team (2021 MaxPreps Underclass All America Team - 2nd Team).  Thanks to my teammates and coaches our team was elevated in the CIF and I was fortunate to be selected by the Daily Breeze Newspaper as All-Area First Team and named as All-League First Team as well.  I was also awarded Defensive Player of the Year on my High School Team.  I am very excited right now, as we have started our 2022 high school season very strong with three straight victories.

My coaches and family believe in me and work with me to improve my game. I agree with them that I must continue to get better with my technique. They appreciate that I am encouraging to my teammates on the court and do my best to keep them smiling and their heads in the game. My coaches say I make things look easy, I'm very quick, a natural, I dig and pass well, read hitters and setters well, and communicate effectively. Namely, they are happy that I am positive force on the court and I always seem to better the ball. 

I will do my best to continue to increase my volleyball IQ  and further learn the nuances of the sport as I work in a growth mindset fashion to better my game. In other words, work on strengthening my skills one day at a time. It can be  a slow process, but as my Dad says "it's about the development journey," so that mindset works well for me.  My dream becomes more real with each passing club and high school season. However, I will never be satisfied because one thing my family has instilled in me is that the joy is in the adventure because there's always something to work on.

Hopefully, one day I will play for you and your team and can further grow in your program to be the best player I can be.

I realize academics are critical and continue to remain focused on my studies. I was on the honor roll my freshman year and am focused on maintaining and improving my GPA which stands at 3.56 (through the end of my junior year).