A few months ago, Trigg County High School Varsity Volleyball player Morgan Parker received what she describes as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The 16-year-old north Trigg County resident is one of two high school students from Kentucky selected to compete at International Sports Specialists Inc.’s Down Under International Games in the 12th annual Down Under Volleyball Tournaments.
Parker, representing Kentucky, will join other volleyball players from two western states to form one of 10 USA teams that will meet up on Aussie turf to compete against each other and the Australian teams for the Down Under Cup. Parker will be under the direction of John Cupit of Bozeman, Mont. Coach Cupit has carried three USA teams to the championship and eight teams to the finals since he began coaching for ISSI Down Under in 2000. The games, which begin on July 15, are being hosted on the Gold Coast of Australia for seven days, then in Hawaii for 3 days.
“I was so excited when I found out that I had been selected, the closer it gets the more pumped up I am, and I can’t wait to meet the team and get started with practice,” said Parker.
Parker is the daughter of Jeff and Darrie (Lancaster)Parker of Cadiz and the granddaughter of Kenneth and Mae Lou Lancaster of Cadiz and Jewel and Elaine Hardison, Helen Simpson and James Parker all of Hopkinsville. Parker and her family have been asking family, friends and business sponsors for donations, and are planning fund-raisers to help cover the $4,800 cost of the trip. For every $2 that is donated, a donation ticket will be given to the donor to be put into a drawing for a trip for two to Australia.
“Volleyball has always been her passion and she has always talked and dreamed of playing at a higher level,” noted the player’s mother, Darrie. “Receiving an invitation to something like this, who knows where it could take her. We are proud of her and her achievements, not only as an athlete, but also as the person she has grown to be. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and with the chance to see other cultures and meet new friends across the U.S. and world, it has so much more than just volleyball to offer.”
Parker began her volleyball career as a sixth grader at TCMS at the freshman level, when she first stepped on a volleyball court after being encouraged by family and Rick Erickson, head volleyball coach of the Trigg County Wildcats. As an eighth grader, Parker achieved a starting position on the JV team and played in her first volleyball district championship at the varsity level, where Trigg earned the district champion title.
Through the course of her career she has achieved several awards, including Most Improved 2007, McLean County Invitational All-Tournament Team in 2008, Caldwell County JV All-Tournament Team, Western Kentucky Smackdown All-Tournament Team, Most Kills, Best Serving Award in 2009.
“Volleyball was the one sport she took interests in that our knowledge of the sport was limited. So, starting out, she was on her own, we had to learn along with her to be able to help her off the court. To see her try something new and grow with it to this level, is a testament to her and the passion she has for the sport,” said her mother.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 athletes compete annually in the Down Under International Games, which also includes cultural experiences such as tours and activities in both Australia and Hawaii.
The deadline for Parker’s commitment to participate is June 1. As of now, two major fund-raisers are scheduled.
On April 10, a Poker Run will be held, beginning at the Cadiz Park and taking bikers on a 100-mile ride around the lakes area. Then on April 24, a Horse Fun Show will be held at the Trigg County Complex Covered Arena. Other fund-raisers, including Bake Sales, Ham Raffle and a Community Service Pledge Drive, are also in the works.
Anyone interested in making a donation should make checks payable to International Sports Specialists, Inc. Parker and her parents can also be contacted at (270) 522-4364.
