Athlete of the week: Cassidy Morris
Cassidy Morris is a bright one. I know because I was fortunate enough to have her as a student in World Geography as a freshman, and again this semester in Economics as a senior. She is a keen listener, a critical-thinker, and she responds to challenging questions with well-thought, precise answers. I am without doubt that her same sharp sense of tactics plays a role in her success as an athlete.
Number 13 is captain of the MHS Girls Varsity Volleyball Team for the second year running. The star player began her career on the court in sixth grade. She has played three full years of high school, and begins her final year this Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 5 p.m., when the Varsity squad hosts its season opener against Big Pine.
Cassidy’s favorite subjects in school are the sciences and English. She connects well with the curriculums. The well-spoken Husky and I had a chat about what motivates and inspires her in sports, academics, and life. She feels that she is quite easily self-motivated in both athletics and academics to always do her best. It “comes naturally” to her, as she put it. Both her parents play a big role in her life. Her parents John and Lolita are “well-rounded, inspirational individuals.” Her family has helped guide her on a path leading down a road of great success. Her father John Morris, head coach of Varsity Volleyball, is encouraging her to play beyond high school, either for NCAA or club competition. As for her mum, she is “the most caring person I know.” Her favorite professional athlete is Misty May-Treanor. Misty has inspired Cassidy because she is not only one of the top beach volleyball players on the field, but also an Olympian. May-Treanor, as Cassidy pointed out, is competing well into her late 30’s, and keeps resetting the standard for performance. We talked about what Cassidy sees in Misty on the sand, a sport I don’t follow much. Miss Morris shared with me how Misty works well with her partner and is a true team player, a vital asset in beach volleyball competition.
I asked Cassidy about her role as leader on the court. She said that she expects every athlete to make family, school, and team thee top priorities. “Bench the drama before coming to practice,” Cassidy told me of what she shares with the girls. Those are the words Morris uses when she requests them to focus. She is as keen about team court dynamics as she is in the social science classroom about the traits of a free market economy. “Focus, sleep, take care of yourself. It is about teamwork. Learn your team.” A bit of Misty’s sense of team dynamics has definitely rubbed off well onto Morris.
Assistant Volleyball Coach Janet Shipley said of Cassidy, “She is focused. She is a team player. She keeps the team upbeat and focused on the court.”
After this last year of high school, Cassidy plans on attending University of California, Santa Cruz. She is undecided on a major and career, but knows she wants to tackle four years of university studies. Cassidy is approaching college with an open mind. To get there, her goal is to keep up with volleyball, college applications, and earn “straight A’s.” While this week’s profile of “Husky Student-Athlete of the Week” isn’t intended to be a letter of recommendation for the Banana Slugs, I’d be the first to put a rubber stamp on it and send a copy to the Chancellor and another to the Athletic Director.
What does such a busy senior do on the weekends? “I downhill ski for fun.” This is a hometown student-athlete of which we can all be proud of. Play hard, Miss Morris!
Photo: Leonard
