No. 11 Nicole VanDenBerg
Senior, Infielder, Softball
Tujunga, Calif.
Major: Physical Education
 
Morgan State senior Nicole VanDenBerg enters her fourth and final season as a member of the Morgan State softball team. A native of Tujunga, Calif., VanDenBerg started 25 of 29 games played last season and collected eight hits, including two doubles, scored four runs, 3RBI and had seven walks. She was also named to the 2015 MEAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team.

On this young season, she has so far recorded seven hits, scored three runs, has 4RBI and walked three times, while starting 13 of the 15 games she's played. She is also a perfect 2-for-2 in stolen bases. As one of four seniors, VanDenBerg is ready to lead the Lady Bears to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division crown, as well as their first trip to the MEAC Softball Tournament in five seasons. The Lady Bears begin MEAC Northern Division play this weekend (March 19-20) when they visit the Hampton Lady Pirates for a three-game series in Hampton, Va.
 
Student Life
What is the best time of year in campus? Summer.
What is your major and why did you choose it? Physical education with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. I want to stay in sports and keep working with athletes.
What has been your favorite or most interesting class at MSU? Modalities. I got to learn about all the machines and it was very hands on.
If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? Enjoy your time because it goes FAST!
Describe your first day as a student at Morgan State. I was nervous. Being from California and coming to an HBCU was different, but I love it now.
What do you like most about Morgan State? The people I've met.

Pop Culture
What is your favorite social media? Definitely SnapChat
Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? Read the book first, then the movie.
Favorite TV show? Definitely Greys Anatomy (laughs)
Favorite movie? It's gonna be weird, but "The Nightmare before Christmas"
Favorite book or magazine? I like the Twilight Series
Do you have a favorite celebrity? Not really, but my favorite athlete is Clayton Kershaw
Favorite musician or group? The Weeknd
Favorite childhood carton? Catdog
What is the most interesting place you've visited? Guatemala
Where would you like to visit? The Bahamas, I love beaches.
Favorite home-cooked meal? Carne Asade with rice and beans
Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? Cocoa Puffs

Sports
Which team do you most look forward to competing against? Delaware State, it's always a good game.
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals? I listen to music and ALWAYS put a bow in my hair.
What is your favorite part about playing your sport? The travel, meeting new people, and playing the game of course.
What is your favorite athletic memory? My first collegiate home-run against Howard my sophomore year.
What is your favorite professional sports team? The Los Angeles Dodgers!
What is your top skill being a 3B/2B? Definitely my arm
When did you start playing softball? When I was 11
When you're not at practice, what could someone find you doing? Laying in my bed, watching TV
What do you most look forward to during this upcoming season? Making it to, and winning the MEAC Championship

Miscellaneous
If you were a superhero, what would your super power be? Reading people's minds
Do you have an interesting nickname? Everybody calls me Vandy, my roommate calls me Ang
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Fight for what you want and never give up
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would love to be taller (laughs)
Person you admire the most? My parents
Most prized possession? I don't really have one … does my little brother count? (laughs)
If you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be? My grandmother from my mom's side, my aunt from my dad's side, and Channing Tatum
Your hometown is known for? It's a small city, not really known for anything. It's in the valley.
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl.
Funniest person on the team? Briana Jones or Erica Hawkins
After meeting coach Hineline, you thought..? He knows what he's doing.