By: Erin Madden

BEREA, Ohio - Tennis legend Billie Jean King once said, “Pressure is a privilege.”

Baldwin Wallace University women’s tennis senior Ashtyn Morris knows it is a privilege to be a collegiate student-athlete, even the pressure that comes with it.

“Not many people get to play a sport at the collegiate level,” Morris said. “Some people don’t even have the opportunity to go to college. The stress I feel on and off the court is a privilege. I have the opportunity to play the sport that I love while receiving a great education.”

That Billie Jean King quote, which was shared with Morris by one of her coaches, is one she hasn’t forgotten and will never forget. It’s a quote that’s also woven its way throughout much of her collegiate career.

She certainly felt the pressure as a freshman during one of the team’s spring break matches. Morris and her doubles’ partner were trailing their opponents 5-0 and the freshman knew she wasn’t playing her best.

“I couldn’t get a ball in to save my life,” Morris admitted. “I was putting too much pressure on myself and I wasn’t having any fun.”

Seeing that his daughter was stressed, Morris’ father started cheering, “Let’s go CASE!” in the hopes of loosening things up.

“My dad and I are huge Minnesota Vikings fans and this was the year of the ‘Minnesota Miracle,’ which was when Case Keenum threw a last second walk-off touchdown to Stefon Diggs,” Morris explained. “My partner’s family started calling her ‘Diggs’ and it got us to laugh a bit.”

Feeling a little less pressure, the two turned their match around, winning by a final score of 8-5, and went undefeated in doubles play for the rest of the spring break trip.

Much like that one match, Morris has handled all the pressure that collegiate student-athletes face and more.

She has balanced a full academic slate, combining an English major with minors in art history and marketing. Morris has always enjoyed writing and editing papers and knew that majoring in English would ultimately help her grow as a writer. However, an art history course during her freshman year “broadened my scope and understanding of the world.”

Marketing became a new interest as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. After her tennis season was cancelled last spring, Morris spent a lot of time thinking about her post-graduation plans and found herself drawn to marketing jobs. However, she lacked a business background and so she decided to use her extra year of athletic eligibility in order to add a marketing minor.

“All three fields complement each other well,” Morris said. “My English classes have helped me see the value of the written word. In my art history courses, I’ve learned about the power of an image. Marketing combines these two disciplines; finding the right image and using the right words are incredibly important in marketing.”

Morris has already seen the value of her written word after one of her essays was selected for the inaugural Anisfield-Wolf Reflection Exhibit this past fall. She chose to write about Jesmyn Ward’s novel Sing, Unburied, Sing for one of her English classes and, at her professor’s suggestion, submitted the piece to the selection committee to be considered for its first-ever exhibition.

“Her novel dealt with heavy issues such as racism, police brutality and death,” Morris explained. “It was an incredibly moving and thought-provoking novel, which is why I chose to write on it. … I was incredibly honored and excited to be published.”

Academic achievements are just as important to Morris as her athletic accomplishments. However, over the last couple of years, her time spent on the tennis court has taken on a different meaning.

Morris’ change in perspective all began in July of 2019 when she was hospitalized with a tick bite. She doesn’t remember being bit by a tick, “which still baffles me to this day.”

Her condition declined rapidly over two weeks and, at first, the doctors couldn’t figure out what was going on and why Morris was so sick.

“I had no control over my body; I felt so helpless,” Morris remembered. “As an athlete, I pride myself on my physical fitness and pushing my body to its limits but being stuck in a hospital bed for over five days is incredibly humbling. I was in so much physical pain and I didn’t know what was going to happen.”

What eventually happened is that the doctors figured out the cause to be the tick bite, saved Morris’ organs from permanent damage and saved her life.

“The tick bite was a wakeup call for me; it puts life into perspective,” Morris explained. “I am so grateful that I have the opportunity and ability to play tennis in college. Why should I get mad at myself on court? Why should I be upset over a loss? What good does that do for me? Nothing. Instead, I play with utter joy in my heart, no matter the outcome.”

Now, when Morris steps onto the court, she also plays for both of her parents, whom she says are her “biggest supporters. They are my best friends.”

Following her hospitalization, life continued to hit Morris hard when her dad was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2019. Thankfully, he is in remission but his diagnosis continues to weigh in the back of Morris’ mind.

“No one sees cancer coming,” Morris said. “He never complained though. He was so strong through it all, even his radiation treatments. … When I step on the court, I play for him.”

Morris also plays for her mom, who got COVID in the fall of 2020 and has been a “long-hauler” ever since, still dealing with symptoms.

“It took a huge toll on her physical and mental health,” Morris said. “She hasn’t fully recovered. She’s a fighter, though, and her strength and tenacity to tackle each day inspires me.”

So while pressure may be a privilege, many circumstances and situations have taught Morris to handle pressure with poise - a path she will continue to take throughout the rest of her time in Berea and in the rest of her life.