In May, Ashland University junior middle hitter
Ravin Morgan had the opportunity to travel to Brazil as part of USA Division II Volleyball Team's Brazil Tour 2025 – and she came back with many life-shaping experiences, both on and off the floor.
"Being chosen to play on the Brazil Tour was such an incredible honor," said Morgan, who was one of two teams' worth of players who represented NCAA Division II on the tour. "I was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude. Not only was it an amazing chance to represent my university and the U.S. internationally, but it was also an opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.
"I didn't know a single teammate going into the trip, so I was walking into a whole new team dynamic, but that challenge made it even more meaningful. Building relationships with girls from all over the country, learning to play alongside them, and forming connections with our coaches reminded me how powerful sports can be in bringing people together. Those relationships became a huge part of the experience for me, and I genuinely hope they last for years to come."
The tour lasted from May 12-21, and the Blue and Red teams played matches in three Brazilian cities, as well as conducted a youth clinic.
"On the court, the highlight was learning to quickly build chemistry with brand-new teammates and still compete at a high level against some of the best club teams in Brazil," said Morgan. "It really stretched me, in the best way, and deepened my appreciation for team unity and communication.
"Off the court, I'll never forget the moments of tasting Portuguese foods, the beauty of Rio's landscapes, and the conversations I shared with teammates that went deeper than volleyball. I'm someone who values heart-to-heart connections, and God gave me so many of those. Whether it was bonding over shared goals or laughing through life experiences, the relationships I built were the true highlight of the trip."
For Morgan, not much of a Portuguese vocabulary didn't stand in the way of communication during the trip.
"I only knew a few basic Portuguese phrases going in, but even that helped create small bridges of connection," she said. "The language barrier could've been intimidating, but instead, it became a reminder that love, respect, and kindness don't require perfect words. We communicated through hand signals, facial expressions, and a willingness to learn from one another. That challenge actually brought us closer to our opponents and to the local communities. It was humbling and beautiful.
As a sophomore for Ashland in 2024, Morgan had 201 kills, a .274 hitting percentage, 35 digs, and a team-high 93 total blocks – earning second-team All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference honors. She also was 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District.
In 2024, Eagle volleyball went 19-11 overall and 12-4 in the Great Midwest – winning the East Division and qualifying for the conference tournament.
"The 2024 season was special because it was my return after sitting out a year due to the in-conference transfer rule," Morgan noted. "That year away from competition was honestly one of the loneliest and hardest seasons of my life. But in the silence, God was doing deep work in me. I got to train harder than ever, grow under the mentorship of coaches I had prayed for, and develop a new level of discipline and hunger for the game.
"Coming back, I was fired up, but also more mature. Learning how to communicate with each of my teammates in a way that made them feel seen and understood became a core focus for me. That challenge taught me how to love better through differences, and it made our team stronger. Looking back, I can clearly see God's hand in it all. He used the waiting and the discomfort to grow me, and to give me relationships I never would've had otherwise."
The Eagles' 2025 campaign will begin with its Ashland University Invitational on Sept. 5-6 at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium. Morgan's first full season as an Eagle on the court, the experience in Brazil, and her faith in God will guide her into her second active season at AU.
"This trip has prepared me for the 2025 season in more ways than I expected," she said. "It sharpened my skills, yes. But even more than that, it strengthened my ability to adapt, to connect, and to lead with empathy. Being put into an unfamiliar environment and asked to perform at a high level taught me how to listen better, encourage faster, and love deeper.
"Heading into this next season, I feel renewed. I want to bring that same energy, unity, and heart to our AU team. I'm more confident in my voice, more grounded in my faith, and more passionate than ever to invest in my teammates—not just as athletes, but as people. I know this season will be special because of what God has already done to prepare my heart."
