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. 
 

Daniela Ferreira
Volleyball
Class: Junior
Hometown: Lisbon, Portugal
Major: Nutritional Sciences
 

Daniela, a junior at Morgan State University, has recently joined the women's volleyball team. With experience from her previous university and her hometown of Lisbon, Portugal, where she first developed her volleyball skills, Daniela brings valuable experience to the team. Her early growth, reaching 5'8" by the age of 9, has allowed her to effectively leverage her height advantage on the court.

Eager to start the season, Daniela is confident about her new team's potential. "Surprising," Daniela says with a smile when asked what to expect from this year's team. "We will surprise a lot of people. They will see." Daniela is focused not just on playing but also on leading, inspiring, and winning.

Daniela is preparing for her first appearance in the Orange and Blue at the Morgan/Towson Invitational, starting with a match against Lehigh on August 30th at 6 p.m. at Hill Field House. The schedule continues with back-to-back matches against Duquesne on August 31st at 1 p.m. and Saint Francis (Pa.) later that day at 6 p.m., both also at Hill Field House. The Bears will then face Towson on September 1st at 1 p.m. in Towson, MD.

With strong preseason preparation from Coach Ortiz, the Morgan State Lady Bears are ready to take on the season.
 

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Student Life

• What is the best time of year on campus? I love the fall. We are competing, we are in season, and I'm getting to know everyone new, including myself, because I'm new as well. Fall, for me, is the best part of the year. I'm excited for Homecoming.
   
• What is your major and why did you choose it? Nutritional science is good for athletes because it teaches what to eat and what's good for you. I'm learning so much about what can benefit me and best fuel me before games and practices.
   
• What is your favorite class? Nutrition Food and Selections teaches you what you should eat before and after practice. It breaks down the minerals and vitamins in foods and helps you understand what will keep you performing at your best.
   
• Describe your first day as a student at Morgan State?  Although it's an HBCU, there are different cultures and different types of people. It was just fun to see everyone.
   
• If you had to give an incoming student advice, what would it be? Just have an open mind, expect the unexpected, and be open to everyone.

Pop Culture

• What is your favorite social media? TikTok and Instagram. If I want to talk to my friends and see them doing things, I use Instagram. When I want to watch fun videos and get in a good mood, I go on TikTok.
   
• Would you rather read the book or watch the movie? The movie. My favorite movie of all time is Harry Potter, and I watch it every year.

• Favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy and Vampire Diaries.

  

• Do you have a favorite celebrity? Gabriela Guimaraes, a volleyball player from Brazil. She is such an inspiration in volleyball. She wants to bring the community together and is one of the best players in Brazil.

• Favorite music artist? Thiago Veigh, a Brazilian rapper.

• Favorite childhood cartoon character? Mickey Mouse and Minnie.

• What is the most interesting place you've visited? America and New York. It's just like everything you see in the movies.

• Where would you like to visit? I always said America, but now that I'm here, I would say Puerto Rico and Cuba.

• Favorite home-cooked meal? A Portuguese meal, Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo. My mom makes it so well. It includes potatoes in circles with onions, tomato sauce, and is fried.
   
• Favorite breakfast cereal as a kid? In America, I like Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies, but in Portugal, I love Estrellitas. The cereal comes in little stars with a honey flavor.
   
• Favorite candy? I love sour candy. In America, I like Sour Patch Kids, but in Portugal, I like Vidal and Fini.

Sports

• When did you start volleyball? I  was nine when I started playing. I had a physical education class, and the professor asked me to join and try. I was really tall—160 cm and 5'8" at nine—and I went and fell in love.
   
• Which team do you most look forward to competing against? I have a friend at Maryland Eastern Shore, and I know it will be a close game. I'm also looking forward to playing against Delaware State to show them we are not a weak team anymore.

• Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals? Beforehand, I listen to music, sing, and cook my own meal. I call my mom, who gives me advice, and I listen to more music. Every single game, I have to call my mom. She is my best friend.

• What is your favorite part about playing your sport? Being able to play with people I love the most, my teammates—we are a family. I can forget about all my problems outside the court, lock in for those 2-3 hours, and reset.

• What is your favorite athletic memory? When I was playing in Portugal, I was on a second-division team, and we advanced to the first division. It is the greatest division in Portugal, and that feeling was rewarding. I was only 18-19 at the time.

  

• What is your favorite professional sports team? Benfica, because of soccer. I have them tattooed, and that is where my family comes from. I grew up in that environment and went to soccer games as a child. Benfica has my heart.

• When you're not at practice, what could someone find you doing? In my room or listening to music.

• What do you most look forward to during this upcoming season? So many different players add to the game this year, and I see the potential. I'm excited for people to come out and see that the team now has nothing to do with the team from last year. We are different players, different people, and a different team. I'm ready for the season to start.

• My teammates think I am? Fun, I talk a lot and loud. I make them laugh and release pressure.
  
   

• Miscellaneous

• If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? I like mermaids and vampires because I love Vampire Diaries, so I'd be a mermaid during the day and a vampire at night. I would also love to read people's minds because I always want to know what people are thinking. I love helping people, as not everyone shares how they feel.

• Do you have an interesting nickname? Dani

• What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? My mom taught me that everything has the right moment. Be patient, and everything will come to you at the right time. I have that tattooed on my body. God will provide for you at the right time. Be patient and wait for it to come to you.

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would stop overthinking. I think too much about everything.

• Person you admire the most? My mom. I see everything she did for me and my three brothers and all the opportunities I have. I am who I am because of her. I saw all the strength she has. I love my mom.

• Most prized possession? My necklace with my mom. It's an angel wing; she has the other half. It's my lucky charm, and I wear it every day, even in practice. I need to have it. When I'm sad, I just kiss it, as my mom has the other half.

  

• If you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be? Thiago Veigh, Rod Wave, and João Félix, who is a soccer player.

• Early bird or night owl? Night owl, as I always stay up watching my shows.

• Funniest person on the team? Aubrey Wilson or me. I think we're both pretty funny.

• After meeting Coach Ortiz, you thought...? I love that woman. She is so nice, kind, and helpful. I think she can teach me a lot of things I didn't have until now. I think she gave me a great opportunity to be here. She saved me in a way. She's exactly what I was expecting over the phone and when I met her in person.
   

  

  
  
  Assata Allah-Shabazz MSU Athletics Communications intern contributed to this release.
  
  
  
  Beneath the Surface full list here

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  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