We can all agree the average physical therapy major is a busy student. How about the physical therapy major that plays volleyball on the side?
Nikki Morzenti is a senior on the Bulls volleyball team and a first-year student in the physical therapy program. She waved goodbye to her free time a long time ago.
"During the season there isn't much free time," Morzenti said. "I pretty much study."
Morzenti has been one of Buffalo's best players over the past four years. In addition to her hard work on the court, she's been a scholar-athlete every season since arriving at Buffalo.
"I just started physical therapy this fall and I'm really enjoying it," Morzenti said. "I'm learning a lot in my classes and I've enjoyed playing ball."
Morzenti has always excelled in athletics. She grew up in Safety Harbor, Fla., where she attended Clearwater High School. Morzenti led her volleyball team to a county championship in 2002 and was named best all-around athlete in Clearwater in 2003. In addition to volleyball, Morzenti also played soccer and basketball and threw discus, winning titles in each sport. Nevertheless, Morzenti knew volleyball was her true love.
"I started in middle school," Morzenti said. "I've been passionate about the sport and knew that it's something I wanted to do for as long as I can. I always wanted to play at the collegiate level."
Morzenti grew up a sports fan, though it was her brother Michael that inspired her to pursue volleyball. Another great all-around athlete, Michael earned 20 varsity letters in football during his high school career and is now playing football at the University of Chicago.
"He's always been an athletic influence for me," Morzenti said. "He started playing volleyball a year before I started, and that's how I learned about volleyball."
Once arriving at Buffalo, Morzenti had no trouble adjusting to her new surroundings. She immediately excelled on the court, starting all 31 matches and being named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman team. Even the weather has not seemed to bother this Florida girl.
"I really like the colder weather," Morzenti said. "I wanted to go somewhere different, and it definitely is. I really enjoy it up here."
Morzenti and fellow seniors Jenna Map?(c) and Brandie Clark have been friends since their freshman year, four years ago. Map?(c) lived next door to Clark, and the two immediately became great friends.
"She was my best friend freshman year," Map?(c) said. "We immediately clicked. We were inseparable."
Since the two began their friendship, they've had to endure some hardships on the court. The team struggled in Morzenti's first two seasons and endured an 8-22 season in 2004. After that year, coach Sally Kus retired and current coach Jim Lodes was hired. This season, the team is 11-7 and is showing the improvements their coach is expecting them to make.
"The big thing we talk about is changing the culture and trying to get better everyday," Lodes said. "We were fortunate to put together a little win streak earlier in the season. We need to make sure we're playing at a high level all the time."
Being seniors, Morzenti, Map?(c) and Clarke must play a leadership role on the team. While everyone on the team was named a captain for this season, the seniors know they will be turned to by other players for advice.
"Nikki's natural leadership abilities and the fact she is a senior means people are going to come to her and ask for advice whether it's to do with volleyball or with classes," Lodes said. "She's got a natural ability to step on a floor or in a classroom and present herself well. She just has to continue being who she is."
The Bulls are now entering conference play and will look to continue their improved play all the way to the MAC Championships in Toledo.
"I definitely think we can be a top team in the MAC," Map?(c) said. "Especially with Nikki, she's such a great leader."
After this season, Morzenti will complete two more years of school, at which point she is planning to become a physical therapist.
"I'm going to enjoy being a student," Morzenti said. "I'm going to miss volleyball for sure, but to have to be able to stay at Buffalo and have two more years, I really like it here."
Morzenti will finish her athletic career as one of the best players in the school's history. While she must leave the team that has meant so much to her, she won't be leaving the city or the university that she loves.
