Player Profile · Libero
Morgan Hentz
American professional volleyball player widely regarded as one of the greatest liberos in NCAA history. A three-time NCAA National Champion, three-time AVCA First Team All-American, and three-time Pac-12 Libero of the Year, Hentz left Stanford as the program's all-time leader in digs before establishing herself as one of the top defensive specialists in professional volleyball.
Early life
Hentz grew up in Lakeside Park, Kentucky and attended Notre Dame Academy. One of the nation's top recruits, she was named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and represented the United States at the 2015 FIVB U18 World Championship before enrolling at Stanford.
College career — Stanford Cardinal (2016–2019)
Hentz started at libero throughout her entire Stanford career and helped lead the Cardinal to one of the most dominant stretches in NCAA volleyball history. She finished her career as Stanford's all-time digs leader, one of only three players in program history with 2,000+ digs, and 4th all-time in Pac-12 career digs. Her 630-dig 2016 season remains a Stanford single-season record, and in 2018 she became the first libero in program history to be named NCAA Tournament Co-Most Outstanding Player.
| Career Digs | 2,310 (Stanford Record) |
|---|---|
| Digs Per Set | 4.72 |
| Career Assists | 489 |
| Matches Played | 153 |
| NCAA Championships | 3 (2016, 2018, 2019) |
Awards & honors
Collegiate Honors
- Three-Time NCAA National Champion (2016, 2018, 2019)
- NCAA Championship Co-Most Outstanding Player (2018)
- Three-Time AVCA First Team All-American
- Three-Time VolleyballMag First Team All-American
- Three-Time Pac-12 Libero of the Year
- Three-Time First Team All-Pac-12
- Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2019)
- Nine-Time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week
- Senior CLASS Award Finalist
Professional Honors
- PVF Libero of the Year (2024)
- PVF Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
- All-PVF First Team (2024)
- Two-Time MLV Libero of the Year
- Athletes Unlimited Defensive Player of the Year
- Athletes Unlimited Best Libero
- League Record 508 Digs in a Season
International Honors
- Silver Medal — 2015 FIVB U18 World Championship
- 2022 FIVB World Championship (4th Place)
- 2022 & 2023 Volleyball Nations League Final Round
- 2024 Volleyball Nations League
- Member of the U.S. Women's National Team Pool
Playing career
Hentz began her professional career in Germany with Dresdner SC, helping the club compete at the highest level of German volleyball.
She joined Athletes Unlimited and quickly became one of the league's premier defensive players, earning Defensive Player of the Year and Best Libero honors while consistently ranking among league leaders in digs and passing efficiency.
Hentz joined Atlanta Vibe for the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation season in 2024, recording 373 digs at 4.2 per set, earning PVF Libero of the Year and PVF Defensive Player of the Year, and helping Atlanta secure the league's top regular-season record.
She continued her dominance with the Omaha Supernovas and now Grand Rapids Rise in Major League Volleyball, earning back-to-back MLV Libero of the Year awards, setting a league record with 508 digs in a season, and posting 471 digs and 113 assists across 30 matches in 2026.
Playing style
Hentz is known for elite defensive instincts, exceptional court coverage, consistent serve receive, leadership from the back row, high volleyball IQ, and defensive reliability under pressure. Her anticipation and reading ability have made her one of the most respected liberos in the sport. Her responsibilities on the court include:
- Elite back-row defense and digging
- Exceptional court coverage
- Consistent serve receive
- Leadership from the back row
- High volleyball IQ and anticipation
- Defensive reliability under pressure
Beyond volleyball
In addition to her indoor volleyball success, Hentz competed for Stanford's beach volleyball team and finished third in program history with 50 beach volleyball victories. She has also become a prominent advocate for professional women's volleyball through Athletes Unlimited and domestic professional leagues.
Career timeline
- 2016 — Begins career at Stanford and wins NCAA Championship
- 2017 — Wins first Pac-12 Libero of the Year award
- 2018 — Wins NCAA Championship and named NCAA Tournament Co-MOP
- 2019 — Wins third NCAA Championship and graduates as Stanford's all-time digs leader
- 2020 — Begins professional career with Dresdner SC (Germany)
- 2021 — Wins Athletes Unlimited Best Libero and Defensive Player honors
- 2024 — Named PVF Libero of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year with Atlanta Vibe
- 2025 — Repeats as professional libero of the year
- 2026 — Joins Grand Rapids Rise and continues Team USA career
Personal information
| Full name | Morgan Irene Hentz |
|---|---|
| Born | July 27, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Lakeside Park, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Position | Libero |
| College | Stanford University |
| Professional debut | 2020 |
| Current club | Grand Rapids Rise |
Last updated: 2026-06-13