As the 2022 season begins for Eastern Washington volleyball, the team can finally put the practice and preparation from summer to use.

Senior Renata Lopez Morales had a uniquely busy summer, as she spent two weeks practicing with the Mexican Senior National volleyball team. The two-week session included inter-squad scrimmages in preparation for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile. The Senior National team hired a new head coach, Rafael Petry, last year and Lopez Morales is excited to be playing at the highest level in the national volleyball system.

In December of 2021, Lopez Morales competed for the U-23 Mexican National team in the junior Pan American Games, taking place in Cali Valle, Columbia. With Lopez Morales help, Mexico qualified for the next year's Pan American Games.



Lopez Morales is a native of Guadalajara, Mexico and has been a part of the country's national team system since 2016, playing on the U-18, U-20, U-23 and now graduating to the Senior National team.

"It's a great experience and opportunity to expand your knowledge of the game," Lopez Morales said. "The pace is really fast and quick, but it helps me grow as a player."

The outside hitter was initially invited to practice with the U-18 team in 2016 after she helped her state team, Jalisco, won several national tournaments. After going through practice sessions, Lopez Morales made the cut and began her career playing in the national team system.

Lopez Morales talked about her feelings when she is on the court with her nation's colors, "I still get butterflies when I hear them play the national anthem and hearing the crowd screaming. It's a really fun experience."

Playing for Mexico and then turning around to go to school and play for the Eagles is a challenging commitment, but Lopez Morales talked about her support system at home.

"I'm used to the workload of playing through the summer and into the fall. My family kept me focused these past years and kept me in check. They've always helped me remember why I play volleyball and why I love it, even though times it may have been difficult."

Lopez Morales' brother, Andres, has had a particularly important impact on her volleyball career. "He's been my gym partner all these years. He keeps me motivated to keep working and improving my skills on the court."

With six years of service in Mexico's national volleyball system, Lopez Morales has interacted with a wide range of other players. She discussed how the roster has been similar, but also adding new players each time during her career.

"We come together as a team from all over [Mexico] and really build chemistry between each one of us. I'm still playing with girls from 2016, who are close friends. But I've had new friends join us every year I've participated with the team. It's always fun to play with the same girls but learning from new people along the way makes the experience even better."

There has been a diverse group of colligate athletes that Lopez Morales has played, including athletes from Washington State University, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Texas.

Since joining the national team system, one of Lopez Morales' teammates has been Samantha Bricio, who played four years at the University of Southern California. Bricio has been playing in the Mexican national system since 2010.

"Samantha is great to play with and she has really helped me grow as a player. She has a lot of experience on the national level and she is a great friend to have on the team." Lopez Morales said.

Another one of Lopez Morales' close friends is Celeste Vela, who is also from Guadalajara.

"Celeste and I grew up playing in the same circuits together and we became friends. It's really nice to have someone around my age that I've been able to play alongside these past few years."

Vela is currently a senior setter at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Lopez Morales and Vela will face off against each other this fall, when Eastern Washington travels to play TAMUC in Nacogdoches, Texas. The match is on September 17^th and is a part of a tournament hosted by Stephen F. Austin.

Traveling has been a constant for Lopez Morales with the Eagles and the Mexican national teams. She talked about her experience in a wide range of environments and playing in front of fans from different countries.

"I love traveling and it's great to experience volleyball in other countries, interacting with their fans," Lopez Morales said. "The fans in Peru were crazy. They were loud and cheering for the entire game. It was amazing to see how passionate they were, and it was one of the best environments I've ever played in."

A big trip is on the schedule for Lopez Morales next year, as she heads to Chile for the Pan American games in her first international competition on the Senior National team roster. Qualifying for the games was important for Lopez Morales, as it gives her a good opportunity to continue playing for Mexico and with her teammates.

"We missed out on going to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, so getting to go to the Pan American games next year was big for us. I'm hoping that I can keep playing with the team and qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris."

Lopez Morales heads into her final fall season in Cheney and hopes to make the most out her final sets at Reese Court.

"Everything feels right, and we have all worked this offseason to get better in every way," Lopez Morales said. "I love playing here and we're all on the same page about what we want to accomplish this season. My teammates and I made sure to keep in touch during the summer and when I was in Mexico."

In 2021, Lopez Morales averaged 1.38 kills per set and 0.96 digs, adding three solo blocks and 15 block assists. For her career, Lopez Morales has played in 199 sets and recorded 281 kills and 85 total blocks. She has 206 digs while recording 956 total attacks.

Eastern Washington begins the 2022 regular season on Friday, August 26^th with matches against Central Michigan(7 a.m. Pacific Time) and Southern University(2 p.m.).