Michigan State University Athletics
Question and Answer With Junior Angela Morley
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 27, 2001
Q&A with Angela Morley
Michigan State middle hitter Angela Morley was named the Big Ten's Co-Player of the Week in volleyball after playing an instrumental role in the Spartans back-to-back road wins over the No. 9 team in the nation, Ohio State and No. 14, Penn State, Nov. 23-24. The redshirt junior also garnered National Volleyball Player of the Week honors after tallying 31 kills and 16 blocks to go along with a .558 hitting percentage in Michigan State's two victories. The Michigan native is a major reason why the Spartans are making their first appearance in the Top 25 poll this season and are on the cusp of their eighth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Morley recently spoke with the Big Ten's Matt Savoti about the Spartans success and their recent turnaround.
Q: Are those two wins against Ohio State and Penn State the two biggest victories you've been a part of since you've been at Michigan State?
A: I definitely think these are the two biggest wins of my career here. In the past, it was consistent, we'd beat the top team on one night, Friday, and then we've gone on to Saturday night and lost. So I think it's the most consistent we've been in my career, and plus, beating two top teams.
Q: Sometimes an athlete has that feeling in the back of their mind that they know they're going to win. Did you have that feeling before those two matches?
A: Yes, our whole team did. All of us were like, 'yeah, we feel really good about this,' especially against Ohio State. Then, at first, I wasn't sure what to expect against Penn State but yeah, I had that same feeling. It was just like a focused (feeling) and very driven to win.
Q: You're 7-1 in your last eight matches, what do you think has been the difference in those last eight matches compared to when you started out in Conference play?
A: I think our mental game has improved a lot. I think when we mentally serve and pass and play defense the way we can, I think we're unstoppable, and that's something we struggled with the first part of the Big Ten (season). And I also think losing the games in the first part of the Big Ten (season) had a lot to do with our success this half, because I think we learned so much just about our team and what it took to win.
Q: At one point, you were 4-6 in the Big Ten, did the team get together at all and have a team meeting or maybe refocus on what the team goals were?
A: Yeah, it actually started out in practice. I think that the way we practice, is the way we play. And it started out with just having individual goals for that certain practice to accomplish and keeping a high intensity in practice. Like everyone taking 10 minutes out of practice to be that 10 minutes we're you're focused on what you want to do and keeping the intensity high.
Q: You're in the Top 25 (No. 22) right now, how big of an accomplishment is that considering not only that the season is winding down and you're playing for an NCAA Tournament bid, but also where the team was at one point?
A: I think it's a great accomplishment, especially since at the beginning of the season we had a lot of struggles, and with the first part of the season not going so well. And now, worrying about seeding for the (NCAA) Tournament, I think it's a huge goal for us to be ranked. Now, we're able to get into the NCAA Tournament and I think we'll have a pretty good seed in the tournament, too.
Q: A lot of times, people might tend to overlook the Spartans when it comes to Big Ten volleyball powers, but Michigan State has qualified for the NCAA Tournament the last seven seasons. What's it like to be part of a program that's establishing itself as a top-notch program within the Conference as well as the nation?
A: I think it's a great tradition. The 1995-96 teams (Big Ten Champions and Co-Champions) started something at Michigan State, and I think we struggled the past couple of years just to make it into the first round (of the NCAA Tournament). But I definitely think that from this year on, we're re-establishing that tradition and I think we're going to be really successful in the future.
Q: Do you think sometimes that might be an advantage for you, that teams might not take Michigan State as seriously as they would a Penn State or a Wisconsin?
A: Yes, you go in as the underdog when you play Penn State or Wisconsin and sometimes those teams will overlook you. We're just focused on playing hard every point and the end result will take care of itself. I think going into those big games that we have nothing to lose and we have everything to gain.
Q: You personally, are there a series of steps you take before every match or any superstitions that you have?
A: I've been really focusing in on mental imagery lately. Like before the game, picturing myself blocking or hitting and having a few things to exactly focus in on what it is I want to do in the game. Getting up quick and having a fast start is something that I've focused on this past week, and it really helps a lot. During the National Anthem, I'll go through stuff like blocking and hitting. I don't really have any superstitions, I think.
