Week after week, the student-athletes of Morgan State University continue to excel, not only in competition but also in the classroom and beyond. The 'Beneath the Surface Spotlight' provides a glimpse into the lives of these extraordinary student-athletes, revealing the human stories behind their athletic achievements. These individuals are not only exceptional athletes but also outstanding scholars, leaders, and role models for generations to come. 
 

Jada Williams
Volleyball
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va.
Major: Business Management & Administration

 

Jada Williams capped off a stellar freshman campaign by being named to the 2023 MEAC All-Rookie Team.

A one-time MEAC Rookie of the Week (10/2) selection, Williams ranked 2nd in the MEAC in blocks and finished the season 7th on the Morgan State single season charts, which ranks 19th all-time at Morgan in blocks.

The Fredericksburg, Va. native played in 91 sets, averaging 1.09 kills, 1.03 blocks and 0.49 digs per set. She totaled a team-best 94 blocks, including 30 solo, 99 kills, 45 digs, 18 aces and eight assists.

Williams would hit 2.34, which was 2nd on the team. She tallied a match-high seven blocks twice against Manhattan (9/9) and Maryland Eastern Shore (10/20) and hit .579 with a season-best 12 kills and added three blocks, including two solo in a road win over South Carolina State (10/1).

As she enters her sophomore year, the expectations will undoubtedly be high, but with her talent and unwavering spirit, Jada Williams is poised to continue making a significant impact on the MEAC and beyond.
 

Student Life

• What is the best time of year on campus? Fall and Winter are my favorite times to be on campus, with volleyball and football games in the fall and fun basketball games in the winter.
   
• What is your major and why did you choose it? Business Management & Administration. I chose this major because I was initially uncertain about which career path to pursue, and I felt that this major would provide me with plenty of options.
   
• What is your favorite class? Philosophy 109. I found this class interesting yet challenging. It forced me to think in ways that are unusual to me.
   
• Describe your first day as a student at Morgan State?  Honestly, it was very fun. I was scared about finding my classes and worried about whether I would have time to get from one place to another, but I met a lot of new people and enjoyed myself.
   
• What do you like most about Morgan State? I love the community, the people, and the overall home-like atmosphere.
   
• If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? There are great resources and great people everywhere at Morgan, you just need to go find them. You can have a great balance between school and fun.

Pop Culture

• What is your favorite social media? My favorite social media is Tiktok.
   
• Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? I would rather watch the movie.

• Favorite TV show? Favorite show is 100% Grey's Anatomy.

• Favorite book or magazine? My favorite book is The Weekend Away.

• Do you have a favorite celebrity? No

• Favorite music artist? Favorite artist is SZA.

  

• Favorite childhood cartoon character? Dora.

• What is the most interesting place you've visited? The Bahamas.

• Where would you like to visit? Italy with Mya!!!

• Favorite home-cooked meal? Fish and potatoes, but only if my mom makes it! :)

• Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? Frosted Flakes
  
   

Sports

• When did you start volleyball? I always liked volleyball, but never started playing competitively until I was 14.
   
  
• Which team do you most look forward to competing against? UMES

• Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals? I like to make sure my hair is done nice and I always wear leggings to play.

• What is your favorite part about playing your sport? The bonds I've made through my sport are unbeatable. I also love staying in shape.

• What is your favorite athletic memory? My favorite memory was just last season when we beat a team no one thought we could, except ourselves, and we beat them on senior night. One last hooray for those awesome girls.

• What is your favorite professional sports team? I don't have one.

• When you're not at practice, what could someone find you doing? Definitely somewhere eating with my teammates.

• What do you most look forward to during this upcoming season? I am looking forward to all the work my team and I are going to put in to get further than where we left off.

• My teammates think I am? Humorous, encouraging, and kind.
  
   

Miscellaneous

• If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? Teleportation

• Do you have an interesting nickname? Jadaboo

• What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Stop being a people pleaser!

• Person you admire the most? Definitely my parents, they are my best friends and they are some of the strongest people I know.

• Most prized possession? My family is my whole heart.

• If you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be? SZA, Madisen Skinner, and My mom. All beautiful and successful women.

• Early bird or night owl? Night owl

• Funniest person on the team? Definitely Hannah, she is funny without trying.

• After meeting Coach Ortiz, you thought...? After I met Coach Zee I was so excited with the way she made me feel seen and wanted, and I became so grateful to her for giving me a forever home at Morgan.

  

  
   

Beneath the Surface full list here

 

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu