By Jim Hague
In today’s age of specialized sports and tight practice schedules, finding a two-sport athlete on the collegiate ranks is very rare.
Finding one that stands out in two sports is even more unique.
So that makes Rutgers-Newark senior Morgan Schweitzer a very distinct and special student/athlete.
Schweitzer is a fine player for both the women’s volleyball team and softball team at R-N.
If you ask Morgan what sport she’s better in, you wouldn’t be surprised with the answer.
“What did my coaches say?” Schweitzer asked. “I really can’t answer that. When I’m playing volleyball, I’m into volleyball. When it’s softball season, I love softball.”
But what sport is she better at?
“Right now, I’d have to say volleyball, because I’m kicking ass in volleyball,” Schweitzer said with a laugh.
She’s not kidding. The outside hitter has collected 115 kills in 10 matches this season after registering 88 kills for her entire junior campaign.
“She’s a great hitter, one of the best, if not the best, on our team,” R-N head women’s volleyball coach Megan Knott said. “She’s one of our main options. Her job is to take all the tough sets and put them away.”
“I’m hitting the ball harder this year,” Schweitzer said. “I think softball helped with that. I did a lot of endurance work to get ready for volleyball, but playing the doubleheaders in softball helped me stay focused. I think they go hand in hand.”
Last spring, as a catcher/first baseman for the Scarlet Raiders, Schweitzer batted .288 with one homer, six doubles, a triple and 12 RBI.
Schweitzer credits an offseason weight program that has made her a better athlete.
“I would say that the workouts we did with weight lifting and all helped tremendously,” Schweitzer said. “When I came back for volleyball season, I could definitely see my improvement on the court.”
Schweitzer came to R-N after a fine career at Monroe Township High School in central New Jersey. She almost attended Kean University, but decided upon Rutgers-Newark for academic reasons.
“I wanted to attend the Rutgers business school,” Schweitzer said. “I knew that they were competitive in both volleyball and softball and I knew I wanted to play both in college. So it was all about getting a degree from Rutgers business school and staying close to home.”
R-N head softball coach Kristen Hunt said that she formed an immediate bond with Schweitzer.
“I played volleyball and softball in college,” said Hunt, who attended Wheaton College in Massachusetts. “I think being able to play multiple sports is amazing. When you play two sports, you learn a lot about your body. I think it’s a situation that is great for the athlete and I totally understand it.”
Knott believes that Schweitzer has benefitted from playing the two sports.
“Morgan came to us this year in much better shape than last year and I think that’s because of softball,” Knott said. “I think it helps to build teamwork skills. And this way, she doesn’t get rusty because she’s so active and constantly going at it. I also think that the athletic movement in volleyball is a lot like softball.”
Hunt agreed.
“I think it helps with quickness and moving side-to-side,” Hunt said. “I think there’s a lot of the same body movements. I think she hit the ball harder for us after volleyball season.”
Schweitzer has enjoyed her final volleyball season.
“It’s been an awesome experience,” Schweitzer said.
Her attitude in both sports is contagious.
“She’s kind of a natural leader,” Hunt said. “I don’t have to worry too much about Morgan. She brings comfort to the team. She’s also very funny and makes everyone laugh. But she’s also very focused when the time comes to play. She’s so mature and is very level headed.”
“She provides leadership,” Knott said. “She’s able to fill that role with our basically young team. The other girls look to her with any questions or concerns. And she’s such a happy person to be around. She’s positive energy at all times. She never gets down on herself. She’s such a positive influence on everyone. I know I can rely on her and look to her for answers. She reminds me a lot of myself. It was the same mindset I tried to have. ”
Schweitzer said that she likes having the positive approach.
“Whenever we start to get down, I tell the others to pause and then just smile,” Schweitzer said.
“I try to keep it fun for everyone. Whenever I get down, I just try to keep it to myself and never let anyone see that. I need to set a good example, especially with the younger girls. I always try to stay positive.”
Knott is impressed with the way Schweitzer juggles her schoolwork with her commitments to two sports.
“She has to stay extremely organized,” Knott said. “I think it helps her time management, knowing she’s dedicated to two teams and goes to all the practices. Otherwise, it wouldn’t work.”
While Schweitzer will graduate with a business degree in May, she would eventually like to pursue a career in athletic administration.
“I’d really like to become an AD (athletic director),” Schweitzer said. “I’d love to do something in sports and I may want to get into coaching.”
But one thing’s for certain. Schweitzer is glad that she selected Rutgers-Newark.
“The education I received here and the connections I made here are invaluable,” Schweitzer said. “Rutgers brought me a lot of opportunities.”
Not to mention, the opportunity to be a rare breed, a two-sport collegiate athlete.
