In the heart of Kansas, surrounded by endless wheat fields, there was a girl who spent her childhood days bouncing a volleyball off the side of her house. Her home sat between two small towns—Fowler and Minneola—each with populations barely above 500 people. With no other children nearby to play with, she often found herself alone with the ball, dreaming of something greater. The girl who grew up in the middle of nowhere could never have imagined she would one day be celebrated as one of the best middle hitters in Wichita State University’s volleyball history, leading the team to glory, championship titles, and an NCAA tournament berth.
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This is the improbable, yet inspiring, journey of Morgan Stout, a small-town Kansas girl who defied the odds to carve out a legacy in Division I volleyball.
A Star Is Born in Fowler, Kansas
Growing up in Fowler, a town more famous for its wheat fields and tornadoes than its athletic prowess, Morgan Stout never dreamed of being the next big volleyball star. She was the product of a family steeped in athleticism—her father, Mickey, had run track at Northwestern Oklahoma State, while her mother, Amanda, was a basketball player at the same school. The Stout family had a long-standing tradition of athletic success, and it was clear from an early age that Morgan had inherited their competitive spirit.
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However, it wasn’t volleyball that initially caught Morgan’s attention. The sport became an outlet for her abundant energy, a way to stay active in a town that had no organized teams for children to play with. There were only five classmates in her school, and the nearest competitive volleyball teams were a good distance away. Yet, even in the isolation of rural Kansas, Morgan’s talent began to take shape. It was through countless hours of practice against the side of her house that Morgan developed the drive and skill that would eventually take her to the top of the collegiate volleyball world.
The Family’s Sacrifice: A Life-Changing Move
In the fall of 2016, Morgan’s parents made a decision that would alter the course of their daughter’s life. Despite having no guarantees of success, Mickey and Amanda Stout made the nearly six-hour round-trip drive from Fowler to Wichita to have Morgan try out for Shockwave Volleyball Academy. The decision came after seeing Morgan’s raw athleticism and understanding that the right coaching could help her realize her potential.
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The tryout was intended for older athletes, and Morgan, still young and relatively unpolished, was not initially slated to be a part of the Shockwave roster. However, when she unleashed a powerful, albeit errant, serve that ricocheted off the back wall, Shockwave coach Scott Larkin saw something special. His experience as an Olympic volleyball player made him uniquely attuned to recognizing raw talent, and after that one swing, he made the decision to add Morgan to the team.
What followed was a grueling few years for the Stout family. Mickey, a physical education teacher and assistant basketball coach in Fowler, and Amanda, a director of nursing in Minneola, both left their jobs and moved to Nickerson, Kansas. The move was intended to place Morgan closer to Shockwave’s practices in Wichita. The family sacrificed their jobs, stability, and familiar surroundings to provide Morgan with an opportunity few rural Kansas kids ever get. For months, they lived with little more than faith in their daughter’s potential.
Breaking Through: A Scholarship to Wichita State
It didn’t take long for Morgan’s hard work to pay off. By the end of her sophomore year, she had become a star at Nickerson High School, excelling on the volleyball court and impressing college scouts. In one particularly memorable tournament, she played so well that Wichita State University volleyball coach Chris Lamb offered her a scholarship on the spot. Morgan was still uncertain, unsure if she was truly ready for the challenge of playing at the Division I level, but Coach Lamb and his staff were insistent. “You are good enough,” he told her, a sentiment that proved to be a turning point in Morgan’s life.
Her decision to attend Wichita State marked the beginning of an illustrious collegiate career. Under the guidance of Coach Lamb, Morgan blossomed into one of the most dominant middle hitters in the program’s history. Her competitive drive, once a source of frustration, became a powerful asset, propelling her to achieve new heights. But Morgan’s journey to success was not without its challenges.
The Competitive Fire: Channeling Passion into Success
From a young age, Morgan had always been fiercely competitive. Growing up, she would accompany her father to basketball practices, watching in awe as his teams worked tirelessly to achieve greatness. The intense environment left a lasting impression on her, and she carried that fire into every sport she played.
However, that intensity was often a double-edged sword. On the court, Morgan’s competitive nature sometimes led her to become frustrated with herself and her teammates. Her emotions would bubble to the surface, sometimes causing tension on the court. “You couldn’t be around her when she did something good or bad because arms and legs would be flying,” said Shockwave coach Scott Larkin. “She wants to be perfect, and she takes it pretty rough when everything isn’t perfect.”
It was clear that in order to truly succeed at the collegiate level, Morgan needed to harness that fiery energy and channel it into something productive. With the support of her coaches and teammates, Morgan began to mature emotionally. She learned to control her temper, understanding that her reactions on the court could have a ripple effect on her team.
By the time she was a senior, Morgan had transformed into the emotional leader of the team, guiding her Shockers with a calm and focused intensity. Her passion remained unyielding, but it was now tempered with poise and composure.
Leaving a Legacy: From Conference Titles to NCAA Glory
Morgan Stout’s final season at Wichita State was a crowning achievement in a career that had already exceeded expectations. In her senior year, she posted a career-high 392 kills, leading the Shockers to their first American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament title. Her performance in the AAC tournament, where she delivered consistently exceptional play, helped propel the team back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
But perhaps the most defining moment of Morgan’s career came in the way she uplifted her teammates. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and Morgan is the tide,” said Larkin. Her energy, passion, and leadership on the court had the power to elevate everyone around her. She was no longer just a standout individual player—she was the heartbeat of the team, a player whose intensity could carry the Shockers to victory.
A New Chapter: The Professional Journey Ahead
As Morgan prepares to leave Wichita State, her story is far from over. Recently drafted by the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Thrill team in Las Vegas, Morgan is set to take the next step in her professional volleyball career.
Looking back on her improbable journey from a small town to the pinnacle of collegiate volleyball, Morgan reflects on how far she’s come. “When I was growing up in Fowler, I never thought any of this would ever be possible,” she admits. “Little Morgan, who was 14 years old and super athletic, but very uncoordinated, would have never thought I would be here.”
Now, Morgan is proof that with determination, sacrifice, and the right support, anything is possible. She has come a long way from bouncing a volleyball against the side of her house in the middle of nowhere, and her story will continue to inspire athletes from small towns across the country.
Indeed, Morgan Stout’s journey is a testament to the power of believing in oneself and the incredible things that can happen when you do.
