Tall, positive and a natural leader, Nikki Morzenti has all the right components to be a great volleyball player.
Though Morzenti is only a sophomore, she has already been thrust into a leadership role on the court for the UB Bulls.
Lately, Morzenti has averaged around 11 kills and seven digs per game. Morzenti registered perhaps her best game this season with an explosive game in UB's come from behind win versus Miami of Ohio, turning in 17 kills and 10 digs.
An exercise science major from Safety Harbor, Fla., Morzenti began playing volleyball in the sixth grade when she noticed her brother was trying out for the men's volleyball team.
She was an outstanding athlete in high school and received a plethora of awards after experiencing a great deal of success. A Most Valuable Player award for her performance in the 2002 season highlighted the awards, and she was named the Pinellas County Player of the Year by the St. Petersburg Times.
In 2003 Morzenti was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team. She was voted the team's top newcomer and finished the season second on the team in kills with 331.
Morzenti's 331 kills are the most ever recorded by a freshman in UB volleyball history. She also tied for second on the team with 28 service aces and ranked fourth on the team with 274 digs and 70 blocks.
Morzenti chose Buffalo because she liked UB's academic and athletic programs. She also chose UB because she wanted a change of scenery from Florida.
"I loved the academic program. I lived in Florida my whole life and I wanted a change in climate. I just wanted to go someplace different," said Morzenti.
A complete team player, Morzenti thinks she is a leader that is willing to do whatever is necessary for the team to do well.
"I know I am young, but I still think of my self as a leader. I think we all are leaders, we listen to each other. I do whatever I can to try and help this team win," said Morzenti.
Morzenti said she will never forget the team's come from behind victory against Miami earlier this season.
"I think that was huge, if you look what it did. We got our first MAC win, we ended a 14-game losing streak and we came from behind to beat a good team," said Morzenti.
Morzenti said she enjoys all competition, but she gets especially fired up when facing off against the local schools because she thinks there is more intensity and more of a fierce rivalry.
"I like playing and hopefully beating the local teams like Niagara and Canisius. There is an obsession for bragging rights," said Morzenti.
Morzenti likes to unwind by going bowling and doing crossword puzzles. She enjoys hanging out with friends in the dorms watching the stars. She also enjoys watching her favorite movie, "Miracle," the story of the 1980 U.S. hockey team. She loves watching baseball on television and her favorite team is the Milwaukee Brewers, with her favorite athlete being Cal Ripken Jr.
Morzenti has always idolized her older brother who is a kicker on the football team for the University of Chicago. He earned 20 letters during high school.
As far as her plans for life after college, Morzenti said she would like to be a volleyball coach eventually. She said she would also like to be in the sports medicine field, preferably physical therapy or sports therapy.
