Schlabach has become a complete player for Garaway
Garaway senior Morgan Schlabach has been a wrecking crew on offense for the Lady Pirates while adding a strong defensive talent to her overall game this season.
Garaway senior volleyball player Morgan Schlabach can’t quite recall when she first picked up a volleyball, but she knows when she did, it didn’t take long for her to find great satisfaction in playing the sport.
Many years later Schlabach has reached her final season as a Lady Pirate, and it has been a strong one.
“My mom (Suzie) has always been a volleyball coach, so as far back as I can remember from when I was little, I’ve been going to volleyball practices,” Schlabach said. “I think that’s why the game has come pretty naturally to me.”
Schlabach’s senior campaign has been the type that any graduating senior would cherish. She has been a strong leader on a winning team, and her play and her numbers attest to how dominant she has been.
Her head coach Jess Schwartz said it’s easy to take for granted a player the caliber of Schlabach because she’s been around the program so long, including four years as a starter on the varsity squad.
“I think I’m still in denial that she’s a senior,” Schwartz said. “We’ve worked everything around her for four years, and she’s come into her own as a complete player. She’s so driven to succeed, and we’re grateful to have her as a player and a leader. She helps teammates understand what it means to fight and compete every time out.”
One highlight for the season came in Garaway’s victory over rival Hiland on the Lady Hawks’ home court this September. In that contest Garaway was down big in game three when it turned to Schlabach, and the senior lit it up in every way possible, leading her team to an electric comeback win.
Schlabach said it was a total team effort but admitted that when her team turned to her to get them going, she relished the opportunity.
“I love those types of moments, and it’s been a work in progress,” she said of taking over at crunch time. “I look back to my freshman year and the way I looked up to those seniors, and I think it was a big learning moment for me. I struggled then, but it helped me get to where I am today. I still can’t say I’m perfect, but I feel comfortable enough that when the time comes, I’m ready to give it my best.”
Her best has been spectacular, and other teams know that all too well. So too do her teammates, who get energized by her effort as she takes control.
“It all adds up,” Schlabach said of leading the younger players. “The important thing for them coming in was that they realize that they belong and they’re here for a reason. That’s what we’ve really tried to focus on as far as leadership.”
While her high level of play speaks for itself, Schlabach as enjoyed taking on a leadership role for a very young but talented group of Lady Pirates this season.
“We’re a young team with four freshmen, so we knew there would be a lot to learn, but they have come in and put in the work and really dedicated themselves to playing well,” Schlabach said.
When asked about mentoring the young talent, Schlabach was quick to deflect accolades to both the Lady Pirates coaching staff and her fellow senior co-captains Charlee Yoder and Cora Head.
“I think we all play a big role in mentoring the freshmen,” Schlabach said. “Charlee and Cora have meant so much to me and helped me so much, and they make it so the pressure isn’t all on me.”
Known for her big hits at the net and her ability to process situations and make the right choice in where and how to hit a ball, she said that part of her game has always been an asset. What she said she has enjoyed improving is her play in the back row, where she has exemplified an ability to play any position.
“I think my back-row play has improved a ton since my early years,” Schlabach said. “I’m not as hesitant as I used to be, and I enjoy playing there more now.”
Schlabach has verbally committed to playing next year at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, where she hopes to step right in without missing a beat and contribute immediately.
Until that time comes, she said there is plenty to focus on right now including chasing after a league title and helping the Lady Pirates continue to play strong volleyball.