Growing up, Sandburg’s Morgan Begley thought she had what it took to be a middle hitter.
But the fact that she never grew past 5-foot-6 helped force a change in her thinking. By the time she hit high school, Begley became a defensive specialist and then a libero.
“I started out as a middle and I was the biggest on the team,” she said. “That soon changed when I played for my club at First Alliance. I realized quickly I was too short to be a middle.
“I was really upset at first, thinking I wanted to hit the rest of my volleyball career. Once I started training in the gym, I realized my ability and how far I can go. Since 13U, I’ve been a libero.”
That move has worked wonders for Begley, an Indiana-Indianapolis recruit who has carved out a niche — and a starting role — for Sandburg (4-9).
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The Eagles advanced Wednesday night to the Silver Division of the Wheaton Classic after splitting a pair of pool-play matches at the Great Lakes Center in Aurora.
In a topsy-turvy pool, 24th-seeded Marist JV started by stunning eighth-seeded Hinsdale Central 25-21, 25-27, 28-26. Hinsdale Central slipped past Sandburg 25-22, 25-23, but the Eagles rebounded with a 25-17, 25-23 win over Marist JV. A tiebreaker put Sandburg in Silver.
In another pool at Wheaton Warrenville South, Lincoln-Way East also ended up in the Silver Division, with Lemont headed to the Bronze. The Griffins beat Lemont 25-15, 25-20.
For Begley, meanwhile, it was another day of trying to get the Eagles back on track. And while there are times that being a libero can be a thankless job, Begley certainly embraces the role.
Sandburg plays again in the tournament at 8 a.m. Saturday against Fenwick in Wheaton.
“I love having my own personality on the court, and I think that you are always there for your teammates,” Begley said. “You are there for them and you want them to succeed. My favorite part of this position, regardless the things that can go wrong, is being able to have fun on the court.
“Whether you are winning or losing, if you are having fun, you are playing your best.”
Begley acknowledged that she’s “outgoing” and “loud” even off the court when she’s with her friends and family.
She pointed out that her personality mirrors her father, Brian, who was on the Illinois men’s basketball roster for the 1995-96 season.
“She’s all energy and all defense,” Sandburg coach David Vales said of Morgan. “The leadership that she has developed over the years has been big. As a veteran coach, it’s fun to see the players progress and get everyone on the same page and rally around.
“She plays multiple positions in the back row, which is different than most liberos. She’ll go sideline to sideline and never stops.”
Begley had Indiana-Indianapolis on her wish list but had not reached out to the school before the coaches contacted her on June 15.
“They texted me,” she said. “I had just woken up. I saw the text and immediately ran to my dad.”
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After a visit to the campus, Begley said she was hooked.
As a youngster, Begley also got to know Rachel Krasowski, the former standout libero for Sandburg who went on to star in college at DePaul.
“She was my inspiration,” Begley said of Krasowski. “She was my cousin’s close family friends and I always looked up to her. I went to a few Sandburg games, and being able to be on the court and play the role that she played and play the same club she played on feels very fulfilling.
“I’m able to do what I’ve always dreamed of.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.