Two-time All-Region 24 VUVB Libero Morgan Netcott signs with University of Montevallo

VINCENNES, Ind. – Two-time All-Region 24 honoree and VUVB libero Morgan Netcott (Montague, Mich.) signed her letter of intent to continue her volleyball career this spring at NCAA Division II University of Montevallo in Alabama this week.

“After I had a really great phone call with Coach Haven, I went down to visit and the school and program just checked all of my boxes,” Netcott said. “I loved the girls and the coaches and with a great Psychology and volleyball program, there was no way I could turn it down.”

Netcott leaves Vincennes University with a trail of many athletic and academic accomplishments over her two years with the Blue and Gold.

Netcott helped guide the Trailblazers to a combined record of 61-16 including an unbeaten 26-0 record against Region 24 opponents and two Region 24 Championships.

Netcott also helped the 2023 VUVB team record the best season in program history since moving to Division I, ending with 32 wins, being ranked No. 18 in the country and VU’s first appearance in the Division I Midwest District Championship game.

Netcott had another big year running the Trailblazers back row defense, leading the Blazers with 692 digs, fifth most in the country this season.

Netcott closed out her Trailblazer career by surpassing the 1,000 digs milestone, becoming the third VUVB player in the 25-point rally-scoring era (2008-present) to reach this milestone and set a new school record with 1,389 digs.

Netcott also finished her Trailblazer career with a long list of recognitions as well, twice earning First Team All-Region 24 honors.

Off the court Netcott also has a long list of academic recognitions as well, earning 2023 First Team Academic All-American honors and being named the Top Student in the Psychology Department at VU in April.

“When I think of my accomplishments, the one that stands out the most is making it to the Division I District finals with the team,” Netcott added. “Although we would have loved to go further, this was something tat we worked towards the entire season and it was so fulfilling to see our hard work get us somewhere.”

“Going into the year Morgan wasn’t really sure if she wanted to continue playing or just continue with her academics, so it had to be a really good situation for her to continue to play,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “We’re really glad that she found a University that is a really good situation for her, both academically and athletically.”

“Because Morgan was so far ahead academically, she was able to graduate in December, so we began looking for opportunities for her to sign and transfer in January,” Sien added. “Morgan, of course, had a great year and there was some interest, but just before finals week she got a message from Montevallo that they were really interested in her and they wanted her to come down for a visit. I know Montevallo years ago when they were in the NAIA were a National power and now, they are Division II playing a really tough schedule against a lot of Florida schools, so I thought this sounded like a really good situation for her.”

“Because of the short notice, it seemed like she had to make a quick visit, going down and back in about 32 hours and everything went well,” Sien said. “She met the coaches and met the team, saw the campus and spoke to people in admissions and it turned out to be a perfect situation for her and it made it almost like a no-brainer.”

“Morgan is someone who has her life very well thought out and twice over the last year and a half she had to reconsider whether or not she was going to pursue volleyball,” Sien added. “And because she has twice decided yes, Montevallo is going to get a person that is not only committed to her studies but also very committed athletically.”

“It’s hard to pick just one memory to say is my favorite,” Netcott said. “But I’m sure that it would involve all of the friends I have made here. From the sophomores last year, the freshmen this year and the people I’ve been with both years, they are definitely what has made my time at VU most worthwhile. Between practicing with teammates and studying with my classmates, my most cherished memories will be with the people that I’ve met.”

“Athletically, Vincennes University has given me the on the court experience against talented players that underclassmen usually don’t get at four-year schools,” Netcott added. “This has allowed me to build my confidence as a player while gaining in game experience as a collegiate athlete.”

“Academically, VU has provided a great transition point while moving away from home,” Netcott said. “Moving so far from everyone I knew was scary, but the homelike feel of the professors in the Psych program made the transition much easier than expected.”

“I also just want to say that I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coach,” Netcott added. “The Vincennes volleyball program has taken such good care of me for these past three semesters and I don’t know where I would be without them.”

“Morgan will definitely be missed in our program,” Sien said. “I always say, ‘you can replace the position, but you can never replace the person’ and that definitely applies to Morgan. We can talk about her abilities as a player, but you have to also talk about her leadership and the example that she sets. She is a real leader on the court that I always really depended on to communicate things to everyone else on the team. So just looking at the leadership side and as a person, not even looking at the volleyball part of it, that’s Morgan.”

“Volleyball wise, I said after the District tournament that Morgan has helped set the standard for the liberos in this program,” Sien added. “Her two years here, as the saying goes, the next person who steps into that position has some immense shoes to fill. She has really defined what we look for in that position.”

“She’s someone who the game and the team mean a lot to her,” Sien said. “And you know that she loves the game because she made two big-time decisions on whether or not to play and I don’t think most people would make that same choice. Morgan defines the libero position on the court not only with her ability to read the setter and pick up shots coming in at a million miles per hour but as someone who can direct our defense and as someone who is going to be very vocal.”

“When we were down two sophomores during the season, Morgan really willed us to a couple of wins,” Sien added. “When you talk about a libero, you don’t usually get that type of leadership out of your libero. Normally it will be a big time hitter or a setter, those will be your leaders but that didn’t define Morgan. If Morgan were a hitter, she’d still be a leader. It wouldn’t matter what position Morgan played, she would be a leader and that’s a reason why we recruited her, not just because of her skills, but because of all the other things that she brings to the court.”

“Her high school coaches raved about her and in talking to them we knew we were getting someone who could really help establish the culture we want in this program,” Sien said. “I have no doubt that Morgan is going to do wonders for Montevallo. She is going to pick them up. She is going to lead. They are getting a good one, that’s for sure.”

Netcott is joining a Falcons squad who finished this past season with a record of 13-18 and a 10-6 record in Gulf South Conference play under Head Coach Haven O’Quinn.

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Morgan Netcott on her signing with the University of Montevallo and wishes her good luck as she continues her volleyball career in the spring.