Freshman outfielder Morgan Hance is in her first year with the Panthers. Hance started playing softball at 6 years old but soon started playing volleyball after. 

Hance, from Clay City, played softball and volleyball in high school where her grandfather was her softball coach and her sister was her volleyball coach.

Hance knew Eastern is where she wanted to play because of her native roots being here, she said. Her grandfather played baseball here at Eastern. 

In Q&A, Hance shares how with her business major and minor in nutrition she wants to return home and open a gym for the community, her top five worship songs and who her biggest supporters are.

Q: When did you first start playing softball?

A: “I first started playing softball when I was 6 years old. I played 10U travel ball when I was 6, so most of those girls were 9 and 10 and I was only 6. My parents quote-unquote said maybe we should have her try a different sport, because I wasn’t very good yet.”

Q: What was it like as a six year old playing with nine and 10 year olds?

A: “It was scary, like these girls were definitely a lot bigger than me, but I think it was good for me because now, playing against juniors and seniors, it doesn’t seem very scary at all.”

Q: You were a three-year varsity player—what was it like earning Midland Trail Conference honors all three seasons?

A: “It was rewarding. I always played high school softball for my grandpa and then I always played high school softball for my sister. So it was always kind of like a family ordeal, and I think it was just rewarding, like earning those things for my school.”

Q: So your sister and grandpa were your coaches?

A:  “Yep, for volleyball. It was amazing. She’s a great role model in my life, and I would contribute a lot of my successes to her. I mean, she’s at every single home game here at Eastern, and I’m really thankful for the opportunity to play for her. And my grandpa has been one of my biggest supporters. He was the one that taught me how to throw a softball, how to catch a softball and how to hit a softball. He played baseball at Eastern, so just being here, doing what he loves and just doing it for him is really important because my roots come from him.”

Q: How does your grandpa feel that his granddaughter is playing at his alma mater?

A: “So he was the athletic director at my high school. So every single day at school, I’d see him and then he’d coach me. When I told him that I wanted to come here, he was really ecstatic just because he loves Eastern and he just knows that being close to home would be so awesome for me just to be able to come home and see family often.” 

Q: You played softball and volleyball in high school. What made you take your softball career to the next level?

A: “I’m from a school where volleyball was a little bit more of a priority. Our volleyball teams were always really good in high school. Both of my sisters were on state teams when they were in high school at Clay City, so the volleyball roots are just really deep. But as I got a little bit older, I thought about playing both in college like they did. Megan played softball and volleyball in college. But I just knew in the end that softball was where my heart was at. And that’s just what God was calling me to do. So that’s what I pursued.”

Q: In addition to softball, you were a standout in volleyball too. How did you balance playing both sports at such a high level?

A: “Volleyball and softball are very different. Volleyball is very team-oriented, it’s such a fun and loud and energetic sport. So that was my escape from the softball stress, I guess you could say. So doing both was such a nice balance and escape from any other stress.” 

Q: If you could go back to playing volleyball would you?

A: “Yes, I would. Me and my roommate Abbi Hatton here, she’s also a freshman on the softball team. We both played volleyball in high school. We actually played each other in the regional championship my senior year. Every time we walk past the volleyball courts or see the volleyball team, we’re just like, man, we miss it.”

Q: Did you know that Abbi Hatton was going to be committing to Eastern as well?

A: “We took our unofficial visit together our junior year. Mid-October, I think. We actually went on it together. Then she committed in early November, and I committed a few days later. So we always knew that we’d be doing this together. Then we ended up playing travel softball together. So we’ve been together for a while.”

Q: Your sisters Macy and Megan both played volleyball at Southwestern Illinois College, and Megan also played softball. How have they influenced your athletic journey?

A: “Ever since I’ve grown up, I’ve watched them play. Just seeing those role models as you grow up is really important for me. I always told myself that I wanted to be better than them in a healthy way. But now they tell me, you are better than us. And I just truly don’t believe it. Because when you think back of your older sisters playing sports, you’ve just idolized them so much. But they’ve just been such great role models. It’s so nice to still have them here watching me play.” 

Q: How was the experience growing up and you all playing together?

A: “It was hectic. It was so hectic. They’d be going to softball one weekend. I’d be going to volleyball. Then I’d be going to softball. Then they’d be going to volleyball. It was crazy. But we have amazing parents and grandparents that would always split up, and take us to certain places. We always had other friends that would offer to drive us places. It was hard. But it was definitely cool to see our parents being great supporters, and doing whatever it takes to get us here.”

Q: Why did you choose to play at Eastern?

A: “I knew that I wanted to stay close to home just so that it was possible for my family to come watch me play. That was something that was really important to me. My final schools that I was deciding between were the University of Evansville and Eastern. But when I stepped on campus here, I just knew that it was home. Just my roots being so deep here, my grandpa playing baseball here, my sister coming here. It’s just so close to home. I knew that this is where I wanted to be.”

Q: What is your walkout song?

A: “’God Did’ by Suns of Sunday.”

Q: Why did you choose this song?

A: “I just use it as a constant reminder to play for the lord. That I’m here in that box for a reason because of him.  It’s nothing materialistic or of the world. It’s just what he intended for me to do.”

Q: What is your relationship like with Christ?

A: “That’s something that came a little bit later in my life. I’ve had a great support system and great family that has always pushed me to make my own decisions and just really do things for myself. So once I kind of got older, I started diving into my faith and just exploring that and I found comfort in my faith. So for many years now, it’s just been a staple in my life. I think since following the lord, life just makes so much more sense.  Everything happens for a reason, and I just think I wouldn’t be here today without that relationship.”

Q: How do you feel when your name is called to pinch hit?

A: “I feel pretty calm for the most part. I just have to remind myself that if my teammates and my coaches feel comfortable and confident with me coming in at that moment, then I should too. I wouldn’t be put in those positions if they didn’t think that I could handle it, and if God didn’t think that I could handle that moment, then I wouldn’t be in it. So just kind of being where my feet are and just being thankful for the opportunity.”

Q: What do you plan to do with your major?

A: “I plan to hopefully return home and open a gym, and also get my certifications in personal training. Personal training and softball lessons are a really big need where I live. Sports really aren’t a huge thing. Physical fitness really isn’t a huge thing. I think just bringing that back to where I’m from is something that’s really important to me. I’m also getting a minor in nutrition so I think that’ll help both aspects of that.”

Q: Do you have any inspiration for wanting to bring that back to your community?

A: “I’ve been lucky enough to have a great trainer at home the last two years, I’d say. Going into my senior year, I started going to Bridget [Ahlfield], I wouldn’t be where I am strength-wise or confidence-wise without her. So I think just seeing her work with young athletes and seeing her pour everything into them is really inspirational.”

Q: Who on the team are you giving the aux to?

A: “So this might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m pretty big on worship music so I’m probably giving the aux to M[ary]b[eth] Dyson, Bri Gonzalez, or Hillary Springer. Most people probably wouldn’t agree with me on that.”

Q: What are your top five worship songs?

A: “The top one would be ‘God Did,’ which is my walkout song. ‘Goodbye Yesterday,’ ‘Take You At Your Word,’ ‘I Know A Name’ and ‘Hard Fought Hallelujah’ by Brandon Lake.”

Q: Who are your biggest supporters?

A: “I would say my grandpa, my dad, my sisters and my mom. They’ve always been just constants in my life. My sisters have both had babies now. So just opening videos after the game of them watching on ESPN and screaming my name when I’m up to that is just a really cool full circle moment.” 

Q: What’s your favorite memory with the team?

A: “Playing Washington. That was unreal. Just the energy and the opportunity. I think we all just were where our feet were and we just enjoyed the moment. We just knew that we could compete with anyone. So it’s like those moments with the team are the reason that we are so successful. We just know how to build each other up, and just know how to reflect on each other’s talents. I think without those moments, we wouldn’t be able to go out and play Washington in a 3-2 ball game.”

Q: Who’s the funniest on the team?

A: “Kira Managello.” 

Q: Looking back on all that you know now, what would you tell your 10-year old self?

A: “Lean on God. Just knowing where you come from is something to be proud of. A lot of people at bigger schools and bigger counties and towns might have more opportunities. But that just means that you have to work 10 times harder and that’s going to make you a better person and a better athlete. And just to keep working hard.”

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.