Introducing U: Morgan Ledenko
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – One of two incoming freshmen growing up in the Golden State, Morgan Ledenko trekked over 2,500 miles from Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., to settle at the University of Miami.
HurricaneSports.com caught up with the 5-foot, 7-inch defender and Torrey Pines High School graduate to chat about a variety of subjects, including what she has liked the most since joining the Hurricanes…
Q: To start off, you have been at Miami for almost a month now. How has the experience been thus far?
“Honestly, it has been completely amazing. I wouldn’t want to ask for anything more. Since arriving, we have been treated so well and everyone is there for us if we need anything and always checking up on us. So, I would say the first month here has been amazing and even though I expected it to be like that, I’m still surprised about how much I really have enjoyed it.”
Q: What has been your favorite part through the first month?
“One of my favorite parts is getting into the swing of things and getting into a rhythm. Meeting the team is also great. And finally, just being here is really the best part because for about two years I have been looking forward to being here and now I finally am.”
Q: You mentioned some of the older girls who have been around. Has anyone in particular been there to help show you and the other freshmen around and help get you acclimated?
“Everyone who has been here has been extremely helpful including Lauren [Markwith], Selena [Fortich], Dejah [Cason]…Dejah has been an extreme help for me because we had been assigned a specific upperclassmen to help us make the transition. So Dejah and I have gotten coffee and talked about things, so she has been extremely helpful. And all of the other girls that have been here have been extremely helpful as well.”
Q: What do you feel are your main strengths as a player?
“Being a defender, I would say one of my main strengths is that I am very aggressive and strong. And I would say that I also have some grit and am not going to let somebody just take the ball away from me and get away. I will work to get it back. I would also say that I am really good in the air when it comes to headers. Communication is also a strong point of mine.”
Q: What areas do you think you need to improve on the most?
“Obviously, I would say that you can improve in any area, no matter what. But specifically, foot skills is something as a defender you can always get away with being able to just clear the ball or pass it up field. But with that being said, improving on my on ball skills and foot skills is important to me.”
Q: What are you most looking forward to about your college career?
“I am looking forward to playing in the ACC over the next four years and finally live the dream that I have been working up to over the past 14 years.”
Q: When you think back on it, what made you decide UM was the school for you?
“I had multiple decisions that I could have made, but Miami to me was the best of both worlds between the weather, the giant conference, a great coaching staff and the team atmosphere. And those reason were really why I ended up choosing Miami.”
Quick Facts…
Favorite tv show: Gossip Girl
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite ice cream: Coffee
Show you could easily binge watch: Black Mirror
Favorite midnight snack: Baked goods like cookies
Go to song to warm-up to: TNT
