University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign Morgan, Seliger Swenson to NLIs
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
University of Minnesota volleyball head coach Hugh McCutcheon has announced that Taylor Morgan (Blaine, Minn.) and Samantha Seliger Swenson (Minnetonka, Minn.) will join the Golden Gopher volleyball team. Morgan and Seliger Swenson are set to join the program for the 2015 volleyball season.
"We're fortunate to have these two student-athletes continue their volleyball careers at the University of Minnesota," McCutcheon said. "Both Taylor and Samantha will be great additions to our program and we've excited to get them in the gym and start working with them."
Morgan, a 6-foot outside hitter, is a two-sport athlete with Blaine High School and Kokoro volleyball club. Morgan was ranked as the 89th recruit in this year's national recruiting class. Playing on the Blaine Varsity volleyball team since her freshman year, Morgan has played both as a middle blocker and an outside hitter. In 2012, Morgan helped lead the Bengals to a state-tournament berth and was named to the state's all-tournament team. In the state tournament, Morgan had 35 kills as she led her team to a third-place finish. In her sophomore season, Morgan had 230 kills and hit .409 as she garnered all-conference honors. After suffering an injury during her junior year, Morgan returned to the Bengals lineup and was named a team captain. She also is a standout track athlete for the Bengals. Taylor is the daughter of Matt and Jennifer Bingle and has two sisters, Allie and Grace. Her father, Matt, is the University of Minnesota's director of women's track & field and cross country.
"I've always wanted to go to the University of Minnesota, Morgan said. "Knowing that coach McCutcheon is there to guide me make the whole experience even better."
Seliger Swenson, a 5-foot, 11-inch setter from Minnetonka, Minn., comes to Minnesota as the nation's No. 8 recruit. A Prep Volleyball three-time All-American, a USA Today All-American, a two-time MaxPreps All-American, Seliger Swenson was an AVCA Under Armour First-Team All-American. With Hopkins High School, Seliger Swenson was named the 2014 Minnesota Miss Baden Volleyball, an award that goes to the top senior player in the state. The 2014 Minnesota Volleyball Breakdown Player of the Year, Seliger Swenson was also named Star Tribune's Metro Player of the Year. Earning three all-state honors, she is also a five-time all-conference selection. Her credentials only continue with her club team, Northern Lights, as she is an eight-time All-American and a five-time national qualifier. In 2012, Seliger Swenson was named the United States Junior National Championship's most valuable player after she led Northern Lights to an Open 17 championship as a sophomore. She has also seen action with the USA Youth National Team, where she played internationally with USA and Northern Lights in Croatia, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Czech Republic. Samantha, the daughter of Vicki Seliger Swenson and Erik Swenson, is a three-time distinguished scholar athlete. Her mother, Vicki, was also her high school coach at Hopkins.
"I chose the University of Minnesota for many different reasons, Seliger Swenson said. "First, I have an amazing opportunity to play for one of the best volleyball coaches in the world in Hugh McCutcheon and I am incredibly grateful. Minnesota also offers strong academic programs and a beautiful campus. The community support for volleyball is remarkable and the atmosphere of the Pavilion is extraordinary. After spending time with the Gopher players and coaching staff, I knew Minnesota was where I wanted to be. With everything Minnesota has to offer student-athletes, it's also close to home. I am very humbled to be a Gopher and am excited for the next four years."
