RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Sleek, smart, super-fast and skilled… that’s Saviya Morgan, the junior outfielder from Columbia, Tennessee and member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization, in a nutshell.
And even her first name is beautifully elegant. What was the genesis of that, we asked her mother, LaTasha Morgan?
“The intention was to give her another name, Saniya, but I wanted to her to have a unique name.”
A unique name for a unique softball player, athlete and student as she was ranked No. 8 in the recently released 2024 Extra Elite 100.
For her high school team this year, Saviya led the state of Tennessee with a .735 batting average and her on-base percentage of .783—thanks to 72 hits–was 9th best in the nation. And, oh yea, she also stole 60 bases.
For Justin Kaplan’s Bolts team this summer, she batted .475 which led the squad and also was first in hits (57), runs scored (44) and steals (34) while helping the team to a 3rd place finish at PGF 16U Premier Nationals.
Not surprisingly, she her great travel ball campaign didn’t go unnoticed, at least by one highly reputable source (ahem):
Thank you @ExtraInningSB for selecting me for the 16u All Summer Team. @Los_Stuff @KarenWeekly @UACoachMurphy @Coach_Alameda @CoachDeOliveira @CoachJordanSB @CoachKRyman @bolts06kaplan @CLionsSoftball pic.twitter.com/vN6r3lxbKz
— Saviya Morgan (@SaviyaMorgan) September 18, 2022
And her special talents also didn’t go unnoticed by many college coaches, but—proving good Dorothy’s line from the Wizard of Oz to be true that “There’s no place like home,” Saviya committed this week to her in-state SEC school:
Rocky Top Here I Come! Thank you @KarenWeekly @CoachMalveaux @MRhodesSmith @KateMalveaux for giving me me this opportunity! I can’t wait to call UT home! @bolts06kaplan @rockello24 @taylorbobbyt @CLionsSoftball @CCHS_ladylions @mopatton_sports @joe_spears7 @Los_Stuff pic.twitter.com/pzGQa3KFKX
— Saviya Morgan (@SaviyaMorgan) October 25, 2022
“Saviya is a really special kid,” Coach Kaplan explains when asked what makes her so good.
“When a ball is hit in the air in her direction anywhere past the infield it almost never touches the ground. Knowing she’s out there, too, helps pitchers relax because—even when a ball is hit into the outfield—they have confidence it will be an out. She has a very strong arm and great instincts to go along with her incredible range. At the plate she has become a true triple threat.”
And, certainly, her speed and natural athleticism, which she also uses to play varsity basketball at Columbia High, is up there too.
“On top of being one of the fastest kids in the class,” Kaplan adds, “and being able to get on base playing small ball, she has developed the ability to stand and hit balls into the gaps and even over the fence.”
And, to top it off, Saviya is a standout student with a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society as well as a Beta Club member.
“Until you get to know her,” her club coach finishes, “she is quiet and reserved but when she’s out there, Saviya is a bulldog competitor.”
*****
We caught up with the newest Tennessee commit this week and here’s what she had to say…
Name: SAVIYA MORGAN
Hometown/ST: Columbia (Tenn.)
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s): OF
Club Team: Thunderbolts
High School (City/ST): Columbia High.
College: Tennessee
Preferred College Major: Accounting/Finance
Congrats for committing! Tell us what were your emotions as you told the coaches…
I was extremely nervous and excited! I contacted Coach Karen (Weekly), thanked her for the visit and told her I how much I enjoyed it. I told her I had made my decision and I’m accepting her offer.
When did you “know” that this was the place for you? Did you have an “Aha!” moment where it became obviously clear?
During the visit, I fit right in with the players. I felt like I belonged there.
How far away are you from campus and what impacted you most from your visit(s) there (and when was your official)?
I live three and a half hours away from Knoxville. I feel like my visit was very personal and I was able experience the day in the life of a Lady Vols softball player.
You had an amazing year… don’t know too many who have batted .735 in a season! Was the ball looking like a beach ball coming in?
(Laughs) No, it definitely looked like a softball, but having many tools (to get on-base) is beneficial.
What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
That’s hard because there are so many. Winning the Colorado Sparkler in 2021 was memorable. There wasn’t an expectation to go that far, so winning there was major.
You have big stats across the board, from your average to your runs scored to steals. Which of all your numbers are you post proud of and why?
I absolutely love stealing, but I think I’m most proud of my batting average because it takes a lot of hard work to get a batting average that high.
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
I haven’t set any goals for myself. As a leader on my high school team, I have set goals for the team because I feel like, as a leader, the team’s success is my success.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
I’m really big on treating people how you want to be treated. I also believe hard work pays off.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
On the field: Focused.
Off the field: Quiet.
What do you want to do once your playing career is over?
I love Math and Broadcasting, so I would love to either be an Accountant or a Sports Analyst.
What do you feel makes softball such a wonderful sport? And how can it be improved?
I love the game! I love the competitiveness and how it has grown over the years. If I had one change, I wish softball was more affordable. There are a lot of talented girls out there who don’t have the same opportunities because it’s pretty expensive.
What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
I love New York City! There’s so much to see and do; I have never done the same thing twice when visiting there.
What’s been your favorite place to have played fastpitch?
Denver. It’s beautiful and the shopping is great.
You’re also a basketball player on the varsity team… how do the sports compare in your mind as far as how playing both helps you?
Basketball keeps me in shape for softball. There’s a lot more running involved with basketball than softball. Softball helps me see the basketball and the opposing teams’ plays better.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
My grandfather passed away unexpectedly seven years ago. He was young and I always thought he would be here for moments like this. It was really hard because we were so close.
You also have a great GPA and excel athletically… how do you balance academics, sports and other areas of life?
You have to have good time management and set your priorities.
What’s the best advice you could give to a young and upcoming softball player that is something you strongly believe in?
I believe anything is possible. I’m small, but I have a lot of heart and love for the game. Believe in yourself and never give up!
EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item (like preferred bat, glove, etc.)?
I love my batting gloves.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
Shoes and purses.
Favorite school subject:
Math.
Best way to unwind is…
Find a good show on Netflix or Hulu.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
TikToks.
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Summer Walker.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Insomnia Cookies.
What drives you in life?
Success!
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I have learned to take chances. I used to only do what was comfortable, but you have to take chances and push yourself.
Who or what inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: Winning and learning to make good decisions which helps my development.
Non-athletically: I have a lot of successful people in my corner which is a huge inspiration.
When you leave the sport, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered as the player that made an impact on the game, a division or team. I plan to give back by training or coaching my little sisters’ softball team.