Written by Adam Kirsch '15
BEREA, Ohio -- Baldwin Wallace University senior women's tennis standout student-athlete Morgan Baker (Vermilion/Elyria Catholic) is a very busy young woman. For the next two weeks, her attention is focused on two of her biggest goals -- to graduate on May 10 and to help lead her Yellow Jacket team back to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
Baker is a four-year letter winner and team captain who has been to the NCAA Division III national tournament as a freshman and is currently playing first doubles and second singles. She has been a main contributor of the tennis team since her freshman year when she played sixth singles and third doubles. Some words that could be used to describe her are dedicated, hard-working, competitive and constantly busy.
Even though Baker takes pride in her accomplishments and abilities on the tennis court, tennis is just a small part of what this student athlete is involved in on a daily basis.
When it comes to being involved on campus and as a well-rounded student and athlete, Baker is at the top of the list and is an excellent example of what the Division III student-athlete philosophy truly means.
On campus, Baker, a pre-physical therapy major, is a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science Club, serves as a student secretary in the Lou Higgins Recreation Center. There simply is very little down time for this student athlete because she not only is a part of all of these activities, Baker is an active member in each of her endeavors.
The Pre-Physical Therapy and Exercise Science Club requires attending meetings and guest speakers at certain times throughout the semester and that is not even the beginning of all the requirements she has to complete on a daily basis.
In her sorority, Baker has held positions of Intramurals Chair, Parliamentarian, Philanthropy Chair and Sisterhood Support Chair. She was very active all four years with recruitment of prospective sorority members and has held positions that include Head of Decorations Committee, a position that often required late nights until 4 a.m. and then heading to class at 8 a.m.; and she is currently Senior Representative for Standards Board. The positions are all examples of the quality leadership that she brings to the table.
Despite a very challenging schedule that includes classwork, athletics and extracurricular activities and leadership, Baker is extremely upbeat..
"It is a very difficult and demanding schedule and career path to pursue, but in the end I know I want to help people," said Baker. "I enjoy being busy and challenged. It keeps me very focused."
Morgan's parents both understand and appreciate her demanding schedule and the time that it requires for her to succeed.
"We both [parents Kelly and Tom Baker] have learned to not expect returns on calls or texts until late at night, but we are both extremely proud of how involved she is at school," said Kelly Baker. "We are very proud of the leadership roles that she has taken while at Baldwin Wallace."
"I get tired just watching her constantly running in and out of the house," said senior teammate and rommate Whitney Yoder (Medina). "Morgan is always on the go and working on something school related when she is at home. She is so hardworking and dedicated.
"Morgan's is an outstanding leader on and off the court," continued Yoder. "It amazes me how she is able to handle everything on the tennis team in addition to handling all of her other requirements throughout her day."
Yellow Jacket veteranHead Coach Jack Bethlenfalvy, the winningest women's tennis coach at BW, in the OAC and in Ohio intercolleguate tennis, also has a great appreciation for his senior captain.
"Morgan has handled her role as captain of the tennis team better than anyone I have had in that position," said Bethlenfalvy. "This just goes to show that she is able to take on all challenges.
"Morgan is a dedicated individual who is willing to go the extra mile to achieve all the success she possibly can in her life," continued Bethlenfalvy with a laugh. "We are fortunate to have excellent senior leadership."
The Yellow Jacket women end their regular season on Wednesday, April 23 when they host Ohio Wesleyan University in a non-league match at the "Pop" Collins Courts at 4:00 p.m.
Next week is the 2014 OAC Tournament. With an OAC Tournament title, Baker may be able to cap off an outstanding four-year career with her second trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bwyellowjackets.com and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.
