Having the hot hand at the right time
They’re firing on all cylinders.
Westdale grad Nicole Morrison is a hot hoopster for the Laurier Golden Hawks while Assumption’s Autumn Bailey is a high flyer for the NCAA nationally-ranked Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans volleyball team.
Morrison had a hot-hand-popping 37 points as the Hawks recently handed the Queen’s Gaels a sweet defeat (72-70). The OUA All-Star’s potent performance surpassed 2011 Hawks Hall of Famer Meaghan McGrath’s single game scoring record of 32 points established in 2006.
“Nicole came out hot as a pistol in the third quarter,” said Laurier women’s basketball coach, Paul Falco.
“She was simply unstoppable in the second half (scoring 28 points).”
Morrison’s record-setting performance earned the communication major Female Athlete of the Week. It is the eighth time in her collegiate career that the former Westdale Warrior has been honoured.
The fifth-year guard was more excited about the win than her eyepopping point performance.
“I found out after the game (that she had established the record) but I was more excited about the team win,” said the 22-year-old.
“I honestly never thought that I would score that many points in a game — ever — and to beat a record set by such an outstanding player like Meaghan.”
When asked how coach Falco responded to beating the undefeated Gaels, Morrison replied. “Coach is a man of few words, but that win made him crack a smile.”
And south of the border, Burlington’s Autumn Bailey is one of seven super Spartan seniors looking to leave their mark at MSU.
Bailey transferred to the East Lansing campus in 2015 after two years at Marquette where she left an indelible mark on the volleyball program.
At Marquette, Bailey earned BIG East Freshman of the Year (2013) and First Team BIG East All-Star status.
As a sophomore, the outside hitter was named BIG East Player of the Year (2014) and BIG East First Team All-Star. The five-foot-10 authoritative hitter recorded 576 kills establishing a Marquette single season school record.
Why then would the BIG East All-Star transfer after two outstanding seasons?
The challenge of the BIG Ten — deemed among the best conferences in the country — was attractive to the power hitter.
In a 2015 media release, MSU head volleyball coach Cathy George welcomed the gifted transfer to the Spartan family.
“Autumn is an outstanding player who is well-skilled in every area,” said George. And a winner. The 2017 unanimous BIG Ten All-Conference selectee and threetime all-American Honourable Mention recorded her 10th doubledouble (16 kills and 13 digs) and added five aces as the curtain closed on BIG Ten regular season play.
The 22-year-old senior has actually been a Spartan for three years but was forced out of action with an ACL injury in her 2015 MSU debut.
Bailey was granted medical exemption and allowed to extend her NCAA playing experience to a fifth season. And oh, what an experience it has been.
“MSU has been awesome,” said the education major. “I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.”
Bailey and her mates have set lofty goals for NCAA post-season tournament play.
“We know we’re good enough to make the Final Four, but it depends who’s hot come tournament time,” said the “high flyer.”
And tournament time has arrived.
No. 12 MSU opened tournament play last night against No. 25 Missouri State. Follow MSU’s run: ncaa.com/wvb.
Cecelia Carter Smith is a four-time Canadian champion and indoor world record holder in track and a member of the McMaster Sports Hall of Fame and the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.