Morgan State freshman setter Isabelle Brown in just her first weekend as a collegiate athlete, didn’t just set the ball — she set the tone.
She was named the MEAC Setter of the week, and her standout performance also earned her a spot on the 2025 Betty Austin Invitational All-Tournament Team.
“I’m excited. I’m glad that I got it, but I’ve just got to keep working and focus on this weekend,” said Brown.
In her collegiate debut, Brown recorded 31 assists, four digs, a service ace, while hitting an average .400 with two kills in the Bears’ sweeping 3-0 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (25-11, 25-13, 25,14).
In their next match against host Alabama A&M, the Lady Bears fell 0-3, but Brown still posted 27 assists, four digs, and picked up her first collegiate block.
Brown ended the weekend on a high note against Southern, collecting a career high 49 assists, along with nine digs, three kills, two blocks, and three service aces, all season highs.
Despite her standout performance, Morgan State dropped the match in five sets, 3-2 (25-16, 25-18, 21-25, 21-25, 13-15).
“We are very proud of her, I think she is pushing herself every practice very hard, going for every ball, and stepping out of her comfort zone,” said junior outside hitter/right side Hanna Nemeth. “I think it is helping everybody push each other to be better.”
Such recognition isn’t new for Brown as she lettered in volleyball at Avon High School in Indiana. Where she earned First-Team All State, American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region honors, First-Team All-District, and a spot on the Indiana South All-Star Team.
Lady Bear’s head coach Xiomara Ortiz praised her young player for earning early-season recognition and setting the tone for the team’s future success.
“It’s really hard to earn awards in general at the Division I level in the MEAC, so it’s exciting that one of our players has been able to shine among all the teams this past weekend,” said Ortiz. “Belle did a really good job setting the tone for our offense.”
The Lady Bears return home this weekend as they co-host the Morgan/Towson Invitational, taking place September 5–6 at Hill Field House. Morgan State opens the tournament against the Quinnipiac Bobcats on Friday, September 5, at noon, then closes out Day 1 with a match against the Stonehill Skyhawks at 6 p.m.
They’ll wrap up the weekend facing the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday, September 6, at 1 p.m.
