INDIANAPOLIS - The cheers echoed throughout the Jungle during the fourth set of a back-and-forth battle between Milwaukee and IUPUI. The Jaguars won the first two sets, but lost the third.

As the noise level continued to rise, the Jaguars finally had a match point to take down the 2021 regular season Horizon League volleyball champs.

All the while, IUPUI volleyball freshman Morgan Ostrowski stood at the net focused and unphased.

As the point progressed, Ostrowski saw an opening. Reading Milwaukee's attempt at a kill, she leapt into the air with effortless athleticism and blocked the ball, which fell on the Panthers' end of the court to close out the win.

Ostrowski smirked with her teammates celebrating around her — she knows she can always count on her athleticism. After all, Ostrowski's athletic ability is the defining quality that set her apart as a standout high school athlete, providing her with the opportunity to play Division I volleyball.

In her first season as a Jaguar, Ostrowski is already making an immediate impact on the floor. Currently, she leads IUPUI in blocks with 98 and has collected 142 kills. Ostrowski's strong play has helped the Jaguars earn wins over conference foes Milwaukee, Youngstown State and Robert Morris thus far.

"I think her visualization of the court has been very, very good for us," said IUPUI volleyball assistant coach Bekah Strange. "Her blocking is really good, but I think her being able to see the court and score is her top ability."

However, entering freshman year of college presents a completely new set of challenges, including living away from home for the first time, adapting to a new city, playing alongside a fresh set of teammates and balancing college-level coursework all at the same time.

Throw in the fact that Ostrowski is the only freshman on the IUPUI volleyball team, she has found herself in a unique position.

Fortunately, Ostrowski knows she can look back at her time in high school as a dual-sport athlete to use as inspiration throughout the ups and downs.
 
Approximately two hours from Indianapolis and 23 miles directly north of Fort Wayne lies Garrett, Indiana; population: 6,5017. For Ostrowski, Garrett is more than a small town—this is where she flourished in both high school basketball and volleyball.

At Garrett High School, Ostrowski was a four-year varsity member of the girl's volleyball team. Throughout her career, she played in 379 sets, accumulating 1,037 kills, 302 total blocks and 215 aces. Thanks to her help, the Railroaders amassed a 51-14 record in Ostrowski's final two years, including an impressive 29-4 finish for the 2020-2021 season.

During the 2019-2020 season, the Railroaders set the school record for the most victories by any Garrett sports team in a single season, winning 29 matches with Ostrowski's help. The following season, the Railroaders did it again winning another 29 matches Ostrowski's junior year.

"I think I bring a good sense of energy to the court," Ostrowski said. "I have a good volleyball IQ, and just a good understanding of the game."

A successful high school volleyball career alone was not enough for Ostrowski though. She wanted to leave her mark on the Railroaders girls' basketball program too.

Ostrowski was a four-year varsity member of the Garrett girls' basketball team, playing in 99 games and accumulating 855 points, 746 rebounds, 114 steals and 155 blocks throughout her high school career. Ostrowski helped lead her team to multiple semi-state appearances along with a 20-3 finish her junior year and a 27-2 record following her senior season as a Railroader.

"She's a great leader," said Garrett High School girls' basketball coach Bob Lapadot. "She led by example, she wanted to win above all else, and would do anything that she could do to make sure that her team won."

Colleges took notice of Ostrowski's basketball skills, including Indiana University-South Bend, Trine College and University of Saint Francis while in high school.
Yet, Ostrowski's true passion remained with volleyball.

"I really enjoyed playing both (volleyball and basketball) in high school, but I think I liked volleyball just a little more than basketball. I played volleyball for almost my whole life and I just thought after playing all throughout high school that I really wanted to play more."

Given her ability to successfully balance playing two sports in high school combined with the teamwork skills she learned from her time as a dual-sport athlete made Ostrowski an attractive choice as a recruit.

"I think playing two sports helps a lot with understanding the game, having good communication with your teammates and different leadership skills," Ostrowski said.
 
IUPUI volleyball head coach Lindsey Froelich agreed. Upon visiting IUPUI, Ostrowski connected with the coaching staff and girls on the team, proving that she finally found her home for the next four years.

"Her raw athleticism and ability to react (is her biggest strength)," Froelich said. "I think she understands the game pretty well. There's some things that she does naturally that are really just fun to watch."

After signing to play volleyball at IUPUI, Ostrowski headed to Indianapolis ready to make an impact for the Jaguars as the sole freshman.

"It's definitely hard being the only one coming in," Ostrowski said. "But I know that they all want me to be there, and they all want to help me and want me to do the best that I can. So I'm just trying to do everything that I can to help our team out, really taking their feedback and encouragement and just trying to do my best."

Luckily, Ostrowski can look for support from her coaches, teammates and even from her own mom.

It turns out athleticism is not a learned trait for the 6-foot-1 freshman, as Ostrowski's mom played college basketball at Purdue-Fort Wayne.

"My mom played college sports, so she has helped me with her advice, and her telling me what to do, what not to do," Ostrowski said.

Despite her athletic success, you would never know Ostrowski is a powerhouse on the volleyball court when talking to her. Her quiet, humble demeanor and shy personality make up who she is. It's on the volleyball court where Ostrowski said she feels like she can be herself and come out of her shell.

"I think it's just a little different for me because when I'm on the court, I'm showcasing what I can do and how well I can play," Ostrowski said. "I think off the court I'm kind of shy and quiet. It's not that I'm a different person when I'm playing volleyball, but volleyball helps me not be as quiet of a person."

As Ostrowski continues to strive for excellence at IUPUI, she knows she can count on the support system she's left behind at Garrett High School to remind her of what she's made of.
 
"My high school basketball coach had a big influence on me," said Ostrowski. "He's always just been so supportive in everything that I've done, whether it's basketball or volleyball. Knowing that he knows that I can do it really helps with my confidence."

Ostrowski and the IUPUI volleyball team will close out the season with two matches this weekend. The Jags host Cleveland State on Friday at 6 PM, then celebrate their seniors with a presentation before first serve at 4 PM against Oakland. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.