Get to know the newest member of the Rise, who’s a two-time MLV Libero of the Year and three-time NCAA champion.
Story by Alex Eisen | Photo by Nicolas Carrillo
In a trade that turned heads throughout the volleyball world, the Rise acquired Morgan Hentz from the Omaha Supernovas on Feb. 13 in exchange for second-year libero Elena Oglivie and a 2026 first-round draft pick.
A member of the U.S. National Team, a two-time Major League Volleyball Libero of the Year, and a three-time NCAA champion at Stanford, the Lakeside Park, Kentucky, native brings elite defensive experience to Grand Rapids.
You’re a few matches in with the Grand Rapids Rise. How are you starting to feel with this group and the system overall?
I feel like it’s been nice to have some practices under our belts, just getting on the same page and me getting familiar with the systems the team has in place. Everyone has been extremely welcoming. We have a lot of talent on this team, and it’s been fun getting to know people more off and on the court.
What did getting traded and that quick transition feel like in the moment?
It was definitely a whirlwind and fast-paced. But you kind of just jump right in. Sometimes I think that’s the best way to do it. There’s no time to overthink. You just have to go out there and, in the simplest way, play volleyball like you’ve been playing your whole life.
How do you develop chemistry with new teammates in short amount of time?
I think it’s a lot about communication, just having to do it at an expedited pace. Asking questions like, ‘What do you need from me? Do you like this? Do you like that?’ Just really simple questions.
Does that process come easy to you?
I feel like I’ve played with a lot of different people. Even playing with Athletes Unlimited, where your team changes every week, I think that helped prepare me to pick up the pace in situations like this.
Your list of accolades and achievements is pretty long. Which ones are you most proud of?
At the end of the day, I don’t necessarily think about those a ton. I think more about the big wins I’ve had with teams or really special moments. The goal at the end of the day is always to win with whatever group I’m with. I think about the memories in the locker room, big matches, and being in tough moments where you can look a teammate in the eye and say, ‘I’ve got your back.’ Those are the moments that stick out most to me.
Which matches stand out to you?
There are a couple from college. I remember my freshman year, we went down 0-2 against Wisconsin, and we had an amazing senior leader named Inky Ajanaku. She gave this incredible speech, and we came back and won that match. I feel like that really set the tone for the rest of my college career.
I also think about a lot of games with the Atlanta Vibe. We had a really rough start last year but we stayed in it, fought back, and went on a nice win streak. I think about that streak a lot and the work that went into getting to that point. I’m looking forward to putting in the work with this group and getting better one percent every day.
What’s the difference between a good libero and an elite libero at this level?
You have to be a goldfish — have a little short-term memory loss — because plays happen fast. You need that next-play mindset. You also have to be an elite communicator and feel like you can be involved in all parts of the game, not just defense and serve receive, but really communicating at a high level with your teammates.
Anticipation is such a huge part of your position. Is that instinctual for you, or is it built through film and preparation?
You’re definitely looking at hitter tendencies on video. But at the end of the day, everyone is a fantastic player in this league, so you have to read the situation developing on the other side of the net. I try to stay aggressive and think about attacking the ball on defense.
How do you measure success in a match as a libero when you can’t always track your performance on a stat sheet?
I measure success by whether we won or lost and whether I did everything in my power to help the team play at its best. I love the phrase, ‘Do your best, forget the rest.’ If you give your all in effort, attitude, focus, and being a great teammate, you can’t ask for much more from yourself.
You’ve competed at the highest levels. In those pressure moments, what keeps you calm and collected?
I fall back on my preparation. If I know I’ve done the work in practice, then once I get into those moments, I can treat it like practice because I’ve put in the work.
You have also played for the United States National Team. How has that experience changed your perspective on the sport? It’s really cool to see the different styles of play from each country. You have to adjust and adapt to different game plans and styles. There’s no one right way to play volleyball. You can play to everyone’s strengths, which is something I think is unique about the sport.
What’s the most unique style you’ve seen playing against other countries?
I think Thailand is a fantastic team. They run a very fast offense and mix up their routes a lot — sometimes you can’t tell who is getting set because they have two players in the air at once. They also do a great job scrapping on defense. I also really enjoy watching Japan play defense. You can tell they are ingrained to never let a ball die without at least five players hitting the floor.
Three words you’d want your teammates to describe you as?
Compassionate, thoughtful, and intense.
If volleyball didn’t exist, what would you be doing?
I majored in psychology and have always been interested in potentially pursuing occupational therapy one day. It’s still something I might want to do once volleyball comes to an end.
What is one small thing that brings you joy during a long, hard season?
I usually have my dog here with me. He’s about a year and a half old — a golden retriever named Ollie. He’s with my parents right now so I can get settled, but he’s great. He doesn’t care if I played well or poorly; he just gives me a nice welcome when I walk into my apartment. I love going on walks with him.
Any plans on bringing him up to Grand Rapids?
Yeah, I think my parents are trying to pick a date to drive back up and bring him when they come visit.