The FIU beach volleyball team is now only 11 weeks away from the start of the 2016 regular season. Each week leading up to the season opener on March 4th, a different beach player will be featured in this weekly series. This week, Sand Panthers welcomes junior Morgan Crawley.
 
Morgan is one of the most interesting characters on the roster. Entering her third year as a Panther, she is a leader on the court, in the locker room, and in the classroom.
 
 Crawley is a Knoxville native. She was introduced to beach volleyball when the two directors of a small club in Maryville, Tenn., encouraged her to try the new sport. 
 
"They both played on the beach circuit, so they built one lonely sand court and they encouraged me to go out there," recalled Crawley. "Lo and behold, I started playing for them and they started coaching me and taking me to play in the Florida circuit."
 
Morgan was recruited by Head Coach Rita Buck-Crockett as well as a several other schools. 
 
"I had a few options, but I've always been known to take the hardest road and I like a good challenge," Crawley explained. "I was very much attracted to a team that went to the National Championship and I wanted that for myself. So, I took the challenge."
 
Now, entering her third season, Crawley hasn't played very much for the Panthers. She isn't discouraged by the lack of play. Morgan knew that she could be a top player for several other schools around the country, but she specifically chose FIU for the challenge. 
 
"My personal goals for this season are to be in the top-10, with the most wins," Morgan said confidently.
 
Six spots are open, with the graduation of many seniors last season. Crawley sees the opportunity to finally become a frequent starter for the team.
 
With such a young team around her, Morgan (20 years old) is one of the oldest girls on the roster. Even as a freshman, Crawley was always a vocal leader. Now, she sees herself more so, as a team leader. 
 
"I think the beauty of our team is that we lead each other in different aspects," Crawley said. "So, I definitely see myself as a leader on the court and I think we all look up to each other." 
 
Morgan is the ultimate supporter of her teammates. She is always the loudest to cheer from the sidelines and gets genuinely excited for the success of her peers. Last season, Morgan drove from Miami to Gulf Shores, Ala., just to cheer on her teammates at the 2015 AVCA National Championships.
 
"I love these girls. They are my sisters and I would do anything for them. I feel like I add a lot of support to each girl and I am always there for them," she reminisced. 
 
The beach team has a reputation for being one of the most intelligent and dedicated in the classroom. Morgan is one of the leaders academically. She is currently studying psychology  and minoring in education and plans to either get her PhD. in education policy or pursue a Master's degree to become a clinical psychologist. Morgan has been awarded the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal both her freshman and sophomore years. 
 
"Well I love school!" Morgan admits. "I am a closet nerd, I like to call it."
 
Morgan is a member of the Honors College at FIU. She is part of CCF's (Center for Children and Families) research program. Morgan has been shadowing top clinical psychologists and learning the ropes about the research. 
 
Morgan is as passionate for children as anyone can be for anything. Over summers, Crawley has worked at a daycare in Tennessee for the past six years. She focuses on school readiness for children and sees it as her calling.
 
"I feel like I can really make an impact for the future generation if I focus on kids. I have a heart for it, that's sure."
 
Though, practically all her time is dedicated to school and volleyball, Morgan also enjoys the simple pleasures.
 
"School and volleyball take up a lot of my time. Research also takes up a lot of time. Probably one of my favorite things is to spontaneously drive to the beach and watch the sunset," Morgan admitted. "I know that sounds cliché, but I love it. I also really enjoy…I really don't have free time."
 
Morgan later revealed that she is very passionate about her family and enjoys spending time 4-wheeling with her brother back home. 
 
Each week on Sand Panthers, featured players are asked one random question, posed by the previous Panther to appear on the weekly series. Likewise, they pose a question, which is to be answered by the next player featured on Sand Panthers (without knowing who it is). Last week, sophomore Estefanie Bethancourt asked the question: If you could be any animal, which animal would it be and why?
 
Morgan quickly responded, "A giraffe! Because I think it is so cool how their neck is as long as their legs. They are just so unproportioned. I love it."
 
Continue following Sand Panthers every Wednesday. Next week, Sand Panthers will welcome freshman phenome, Lina Bernier.