Hundreds of hours on the courts, countless early morning and late night practices, and years of dedication led up to this moment. Maddie Morgan ‘25 has committed to playing women’s tennis at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU).

From an early age, Morgan knew she wanted to pursue a career in collegiate sports. 

“I just really loved the sport. I loved the feeling of hitting a good shot and I knew I wanted to try to play a sport in college,” said Morgan. 

Morgan has been a standout player for the Gryphons varsity team since her freshman year, and her coaches praise her exceptional skill, fitness, mental focus, and leadership. 

“Maddie Morgan is a complete athlete,” said women’s tennis head coach Mark Randolph. “Her best days are still ahead of her.”

While she excels on the court, off the court, she demonstrates great leadership skills and a team-first mentality. A captain since her sophomore year, Morgan has been praised for what Randolph describes as “servant leadership,” which always prioritizes her teammates and promotes a supportive atmosphere for all. 

“Maddie has been an exemplary team captain, putting the needs of her teammates first,” Randolph said. “She’s always putting other people first.”

Morgan’s leadership has also been evident towards her teammates, who admire her dedication and composure over the years, on and off the court. 

“She’s very focused, and she puts a lot of emphasis on tennis,” said teammate Shangyang Xia ‘25. “She’s very collected and calm.”

Morgan’s composure and motive have also been a key part of her success over the years. 

“She has always felt a drive, and I think that has motivated her through all of these ups and downs during the last four years,” said her mother Helen Morgan. 

Morgan’s commitment to WashU is not just a tribute to her athletic talent, but also her academic ability and her ability to manage the balance and demands of being a student-athlete. Over the years, Morgan has embraced the challenges and the joy of the sport. 

“I’ve learned how to just have fun with it and just enjoy my time on the court,” said Morgan.

Her passion for tennis was nurtured at a young age, often playing tennis with her younger sister Hazel Morgan ‘28. 

“We used to play in the driveway a lot when we were younger,” said Hazel. “Whether it was in France, some island, or wherever we went, it didn’t matter. We would always find a place to go play tennis.”

As Maddie takes the next steps in her academic and tennis career, Hazel reflects on the impact that her older sister has had on her over the past years. 

“I’m going to miss her a lot,” said Hazel,  “She’s taught me to be who I am today, and she’s my role model.”

Morgan knows that the recruitment process is difficult and competitive which leads to obstacles to test her patience and determination. She is embarrassed that there are going to be moments of uncertainty and tough decisions. Despite the challenges, she knows that her family will be there for her every step and will support her. 

“Not everything is perfect. There have been bumps in the journey—you’re not going to win every tournament,” said Hazel.

Randolph believes that Morgan’s growth in experience, strength, and durability will serve her well as she heads off to WashU in the fall. 

“She’s grown most in experience and strength, in durability,” said Randolph. “She has an exceptional balance between the academics, the extracurricular activities, and the sport of tennis. I don’t think anybody’s done that better than her.”

As Morgan moves on to WashU, she departs with a record of leadership, dedication, and perseverance, serving as a role model for her teammates and younger sister.

“Don’t set limits for yourself. Just always believe, and things will fall into place,” said Morgan.