Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Morgan Van Horn, Loyola basketball and softball

Morgan Van Horn is a senior guard for the Ramblers and also a third baseman for the softball team. She was recently named to the All-Conference basketball team, which won a regional championship Thursday, Feb. 17.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I do. I’m actually a very superstitious person. I wear the same necklace every game day, and when I go up with the captains, I give the necklace to coach (Jeremy) Schoenecker and give him a fist bump.

2. What are your plans for next year?

I’m hoping to play college softball somewhere. I’ve been talking to Belmont a bit, but no offer. I am just hoping this upcoming season is going to help me out somewhere. 

3. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

Probably hang out with friends and family or go watch another basketball game. College basketball is very interesting and a lot more fun to watch. Northwestern is a big one, sometimes Marquette too. 

4. Softball or basketball?

My top sport is softball, but I love basketball because I am able to get away a bit from my parents coaching in in softball.

5. What is your dream job? 

Probably a realtor in like Florida or something like that. I just feel like the houses out there are so much nicer than out here. I grew up watching HGTV, and I feel like Florida would be a nice place to live.

6. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

Probably track and field — just because I love running and I would find that fun. It would be something fun to try, both sprint and long distance. 

7. What is one thing you cannot live without? 

Probably ice cream cake. It’s my favorite dessert. Vanilla cake with mint chocolate chip ice cream. 

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying? 

Probably a blue Gatorade and probably like a Snickers bar. 

9. What are you expecting from the upcoming softball season?

The team is actually going to be a lot of the younger class this year because we lost so many seniors. There are couple girls who play basketball and have been getting to know me before the season. I will be having surgery after basketball and will not be playing this (softball) season. I have chipped cartilage in my foot. I previously had surgery about three years ago and have been paying through it. 

10. What will it take for your (basketball) team to finish the season how you want to?

I think it’s just coming to practice every day like we have throughout the season and outworking the other team. … Just go into film sessions and take every coach tells us and watch again on our own end and on our own time. We are not the biggest team out there, so facing (Glenbrook South) and Maine South is going to be tough. It’s about being mentally prepared for the game.  

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