Faith. Family. Talent.
Freshman softball star Morgen Talley embodies them all for NC State — on and off the field.
Talley has won the majority of accolades possible for a college softball player in her first season. From being a two time ACC Freshman of the Week, D1 Softball National Freshman of the Week and Tri-State Student Athlete of the Month, to getting on the Softball America Freshman Watchlist and receiving NC State’s Heart of the Pack award, there was no stopping her this year. But for Talley, awards come second to faith.
“Walking with the Lord these past couple of years since high school, I think He’s given me a platform to use to give Him the glory and that wasn’t something I knew at a young age,” Talley said. “I’m so thankful He’s revealed to me that I’m not doing this to take the glory for myself. I’m doing this to use my platform to honor and glorify Him.”
Talley also stated how thankful she is to have such a supportive team and staff that allow her to express her faith so candidly and follow her true purpose.
“He’s [the Lord] given me teammates and the coaching staff to be able to do that openly and I’m very thankful for that. Just to be able to play with a greater purpose, knowing that my identity is not found in the sport, it’s found in something greater and that’s Jesus. It’s brought me a ton of joy and allowed me to play with more freedom.”
That’s when her game reached a new level, but the athletic household she grew up in contributed to the player she is today.
“It shaped and helped get me to the place I am now,” Talley said. “I’ve been playing since I was six. My mom was my first coach. The support from my family has definitely helped me get to where I am today and I wouldn’t be here without them”
While Talley’s humble attitude is a defining aspect of her character, head softball coach Lindsay Leftwich believes the freshman’s natural talent is also a big part of her success.
“She walked in the door super talented. We worked really hard to get here and not let her end up someplace else because we had a feeling of what could be,” Leftwich said. “That talent level puts her at an advantage above a ton of other freshmen in the country.”
Aptitude aside, setting limits and maintaining balance when striving for greatness can be a challenge; especially when being a perfectionist in the eyes of her coach.
“It’s good and bad. It’s her biggest strength and greatest weakness. She’s a giant perfectionist and wants to get everything right and there’s great in that. It drives you to do things well and get back to the field, but it can also drive you crazy because you live and die on the outcome of every pitch or at bat,” Leftwich said.
In Talley’s young career, she’s already had to handle the adversities and pressures elite athletes face when the spotlight is on them, but that hasn’t stalled her rhythm.
“There’s been some growing moments in that for her and in the moments of failure, and it’s been really cool to watch her continue to lean into that and not let it frustrate her, especially when you’re doing so many things like she does,” Leftwich said. “To watch a freshman ride the ups and downs with poise and grace is really cool. She makes it look easy.”
That ease is coupled with Talley’s team-driven mindset, another facet of her nature. She credits having a team full of committed players who double as best friends as a key to program success.
“Its a game for your teammates and playing for one another and not getting so caught up in your personal achievements but rather the group as a whole and how we’re going to win games,” Talley said. “When you get to play for 20 of your best friends, what more could you ever ask for?”
The future is bright for Talley as she continues to evolve her game on and off the field.
“We’ve really pushed her to try and not be arrogant but confident. I think that has hopefully helped her off the field, telling her that she can be confident in the human she is and the person God has made her to be,” Leftwich said. “Jesus never asked you to be meek and mild, He asked you to do things with excellence to tell the world about Him.”
NC State’s softball program is in safe hands, and fans should look forward to what’s on the horizon for Talley and the elite freshmen class she’s a part of.
“I think she, and the freshmen class she’s in, have already set themselves up to understand the standard of what this place should be and what the standard of NC State deserves,” Leftwich said. “As she continues to grow and the class grows around her, they’re set up for great things.”
