Morgan Hentz Turns Passion Into Purpose Through Autism Advocacy
As a child, Morgan Hentz was bursting with energy. Her parents often described her as a wild child and encouraged her to channel that energy into sports. Growing up in a fast-paced, sports-loving family, she quickly found her place in the competitive world of athletics.
But Hentz’s childhood came with challenges beyond the soccer field, swimming pool, and volleyball court. Four years her junior, her younger brother, Louie, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor at just 1 year old. Though he recovered, another challenge soon followed. At age 3, he was diagnosed with autism.
That diagnosis shaped the close-knit Hentz family and brought a new sense of responsibility for Morgan, the oldest of four, as she watched her beloved brother learn to navigate life as a neurodivergent individual.
“I feel like I grew up fast in some ways,” Hentz recalled.
That older sibling role is one that Hentz embraced, and it serves her well on the volleyball court, where she has built a professional career, using natural leadership qualities that have been put to the test over the years.
“Being an older sibling, I think I do fit the stereotype to a T,” Hentz said. “But I love being an older sibling. I feel like my siblings teach me as much as I hope to teach them.”
Today, the sport is more than just an outlet for the girl who grew up in Kentucky—it’s become a passion. It has also given her a platform to advocate for neurodivergent individuals like her brother.
Hentz laid the groundwork for her impressive pro volleyball career at Stanford, where she played a key role in three NCAA championship-winning seasons. Following her senior year in 2019, she made her professional debut for Dresdner SC in Germany for the 2020-21 season.
The start of the COVID-19 pandemic made her first year in the pros a challenging one.
“It was just apartment, gym, apartment, gym,” Hentz reflected. “All of the German girls were fantastic teammates. I’m really lucky that they spoke perfect English as a second language … but at the same time, I didn’t get to see my family for nine months, and that’s a really long time for me to go without seeing them.”
In 2022, Hentz had the chance to return to the United States while continuing to chase her professional volleyball dreams in Season 2 of Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball.
She made waves in her first season, claiming GEICO Defensive Player of the Year honors. As she has continued to set the defensive standard with two additional Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024, her advocacy work off the court remains a top priority.
Hentz supports New Perceptions in Northern Kentucky as her Athlete Cause and strives to give back to the facility that plays a large role in her brother’s life.
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“When you turn 21 in the state of Kentucky, you can no longer go to high school,” Hentz explained. “And so for Louie, we were looking for new places for him to go and just find community and friendship, and New Perceptions offered that for our family and for Louie specifically.”
Hentz partners with New Perceptions to create more opportunities for neurodivergent individuals in sports. She hosts a holiday volleyball camp for those attending New Perceptions and raises funds through volleyball clinics for players in Northern Kentucky. She was a finalist for the 2024 Civic Leadership Award presented by EY for her work with the organization.
Hentz is dedicated to combating misconceptions about the neurodivergent community and creating a more welcoming and accepting environment for those who face challenges in their daily lives.
“The biggest thing is sometimes just a lack of education about autism,” Hentz said. “Sometimes they’ll make really loud noises or stim, and I think that can be alarming at first. I understand that, but at the same time, if people have the knowledge of that beforehand, then maybe there won’t be the stares.”
I don't want [Louie] to feel uncomfortable just going to a store or out to a restaurant with my family…The more education we have, the better—and the more accommodating we can be.Morgan Hentz
For Hentz, April’s Autism Awareness Month serves as a deeply personal reminder of the strength and resilience of her brother, as well as others who face similar challenges.
“It’s a chance for my family to celebrate Louie and really celebrate everything that he’s overcome in his life, along with other individuals who have autism,” she said. “It’s not been an easy ride, but he’s so strong and intelligent, and I’m excited for the life that he has and the work that he’s put in.”
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
