WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University senior Morgan Lowenkamp (Hudson/CVCA) has decided to continue her standout volleyball career at the next level, reaching an agreement to play overseas in England starting later this calendar year.

Lowenkamp, a 6-0 middle hitter for the Cardinals from 2014-17, officially signed a contract this week to play for The University of East London (UEL) and will head to the United Kingdom in August to begin her new journey.

"It's mind-blowing and surreal that I will continue my volleyball career and get paid for doing something I truly love in the process," Lowenkamp said. "This is an amazing opportunity that not a lot of people get, so I am incredibly thankful for the guidance I received here at Otterbein and everyone who pushed me to this point. A special appreciation goes to my coach, Monica Wright, who totally developed me as an athlete and helped me grow as a young person finding their way in college."

Lowenkamp's contract includes scholarship to pay for a master's degree in business administration, along with formal compensation for playing and additional perks such as personalized strength and conditioning, massage therapy, academic resources, etc.

The UEL Volleyball Club, led by head coach Ian Legrand, is a member of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) League and competes in the Premier South Division. The Phoenix have recently won back-to-back Premier titles in 2016/2017 and square off against opponents from Essex, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Bournemouth and others.

"Morgan is very deserving of this," head coach Monica Wright said. "She went through a lot of challenges but had the determination to keep working and finally saw it all come to fruition her senior year. East London is getting a dynamic player at the net but also someone that brings a sense of consistency. She has also helped Otterbein join an elite group of programs that now have representation at this next level. I am very proud of her."

The Phoenix launch preseason training camp in September and the regular-season runs until March, encompassing 1-2 games per week. The National Tournament then starts around early April.

"I am definitely feeling a lot of emotions because it's a new experience in a very new place," added Lowenkamp, who will be one of 16 players on the roster. "But at the end of the day, it comes down to doing what I have always done… getting an education and playing volleyball. I'll give my best and see where it takes me."

Lowenkamp enjoyed a memorable career for Otterbein, culminating with an outstanding senior season in which she became the first in program history to earn Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors and be voted first team All-American. She ranked fifth nationally with a .402 hitting percentage, to go along with 402 kills, as the Cardinals played to a 30-4 record, won OAC regular-season/tournament championships and hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time ever.

Lowenkamp fought adversity throughout her career and missed 27 matches due to injury or illness, but still managed to finish third all-time at Otterbein in hitting percentage (.308), fifth in total blocks (288) and sixth in kills (1,042).

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