The 2013-14 school year was a successful one for both Morgan Rentzheimer and her Parkland sports teams. In the fall, the Trojans volleyball squad won another Lehigh Valley Conference title, and in the spring Parkland's softball team brought home league and district championships.

Rentzheimer had to work hard to get to where she is. Yes, she has received many accolades and praise for her play on the court and the field, but nothing came easy. And just last year before the start of her senior year of volleyball showed just that.

"Being injured going into a season is never ideal," Rentzheimer said. "But I got released a week before tryouts and worked hard every day to try to get in shape quickly before the season. I was around the girls throughout the entire summer and I think that helped me stay mentally ready for the season when I wasn't physically.

"I believe the lessons I was taught by the program made it easy to bounce right back into things. Coach [Mike] Krause taught all of the girls how to tackle adversity in all aspects of life and he has made a huge impact on my athletic career."

The slow start didn't affect her play, as she helped guide the Trojans to the league title, while starring as a defensive specialist. Rentzheimer was second on the team in aces (54) and serving percentage (93%).

Head coach Mike Krause called her very competitive, but also very unselfish.

"She has a competitive nature about her," he said, "She did whatever I asked of her for the team."

Once spring rolled around, Rentzheimer was fully healthy, and her right arm needed to be. As the Trojans ace led her team to LVC and District 11 gold and a deep run in the PIAA state tournament.

"This softball season, we knew it was our turn to make a mark on the program," said Rentzheimer. "A lot of the teams who beat us previously lost powerhouse pitchers.

Before, we often found ourselves battling one person instead of the whole opposing team. This year we had almost every aspect of the game covered: great defense, offense, coaching and leadership.

"Our team sincerely loved being together and I think that bond helped us avoid slumps during the season. If one person was having a bad day, another was rising to the occasion."

On the mound, Rentzheimer went 21-1 with a 0.82 ERA, and proved to be lights out against opponents. The Parkland grad also had a .345 batting average.

Rentzheimer will be continuing her career at the University of Scranton, where she will play volleyball and major in physical therapy.

Ironically, volleyball wasn't the first sport she picked up. Rentzheimer began playing organized softball in the fourth grade. It wasn't until junior high that she attempted volleyball.

"It is hard to say which sport I grasped better because I believe I grasped and love both in different ways," said Rentzheimer. "Volleyball was just something I decided to try when I heard about open gyms at Orefield. Something about the sport just clicked naturally for me and I love it because it really shows ones atheleticism."

Parkland as a whole was able to prepare her both on and off the court for a great career after high school.

"Being involved in Parkland has been an amazing opportunity," Rentzheimer said. "Everything from teachers, coaches, classrooms and facilities are the best of the best. Rising throughout Parkland's academic and athletic system comes with the pressure to display respect for others, impeccable work ethic and dignity.

"This so-called pressure is really a blessing that has prepared me for college and life beyond. I appreciate all of the teachers, coaches and people of the community who have impacted my high school career and future."