Junior Morgan Ma is a player in three different sports at Townsend Harris. As a captain of the girls varsity tennis and table tennis teams, as well as a member of the girls varsity badminton team, Morgan has excelled in her athletic high school career.
Growing up, Morgan was exposed to a variety of sports, including basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and softball, but she said she didn’t stick with a particular sport.
“When I was younger, my main sport was basketball, then I switched over to swimming, and finally set my sights on tennis,” she said. “Compared to the three sports that I currently play, I have the most experience in tennis, as I started prior to high school.”
“One of my earliest memories is playing tennis casually and just enjoying hitting the ball back and forth with my mom at the park. She was the one who encouraged me to stay active because it’s good for the body and mind. At the time, it was more about having fun than competing, but that experience helped build my interest in sports early on.”
Apart from playing tennis, it wasn’t until freshman year that Morgan committed to playing table tennis, tennis, and badminton after being encouraged by friends. “I ended up sticking with all three because I enjoyed the fast pace and competitiveness of racket sports,” she said. “A lot of skills transfer between the three sports, especially footwork, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. For example, tennis helps [with] power and movement, while table tennis improves quick reflexes, and badminton sharpens agility and precision. Each sport makes me better at the others.”
Morgan said her time management, perseverance, and discipline are what allow her to balance three sports seasons. “It’s quite challenging, but I try to stay organized with practices and matches while also keeping up with schoolwork,” she said. “Staying focused and using each season to improve specific skills helps me manage everything effectively.”
She said the biggest setback she’s faced throughout her athletic career involves a lingering elbow injury. “I injured it last year playing badminton, and it has been tough to bounce back,” she said. “I wasn’t able to pick up a racket or play any sports for a long period of time, and if I attempted to do so, it still caused me a lot of pain and disappointment, because it was the first time in my life that I couldn’t engage in any sports. As my elbow got better, I slowly got back to playing and improving from where I had suddenly left off.”
Despite this setback, Morgan’s determination has shaped how she shows up for her team. Teammates from the girls varsity tennis team shared gratitude for their captain. “She brings light and laughter within the team to make us feel more as a family,” said junior Aleah Tercero-Cardona.
“During practice she shows leadership amongst the teams as a co-captain, and lends advice when teammates ask for it.” Junior Tiffany Huang said, “In competitions, me and Morgan are doubles partners, so we have a lot of coordination and give a lot of motivation to each other to get the win. This connection allowed us to get an undefeated record the whole season.”
Girls varsity tennis coach Stephen Mazza highlighted Morgan’s growth and versatility over the years. “Morgan’s really grown into her leadership role, and she’s a natural at leading the others,” he said. “She’s certainly all about the team. When she moved down from singles to doubles this year, it didn’t seem to bother her at all. She just played her role and did it the best she could.”
Similarly, girls varsity badminton coach John Tsai highlighted Morgan’s commitment and positive attitude. “Her power and overall strategy have improved significantly, and she’s become a much smarter player on the court,” he said. “She never lets a shot go and is always fighting for every point, and that encourages her teammates.”
Reflecting on her high school athletic career, Morgan said that winning the city championship with the tennis team this season was the most memorable moment. “It was especially meaningful because it was the first time our team and school achieved that feat,” she said. “Being part of that history made all the hard work from the team, support from the coach, and discipline worth it.”
Looking ahead, Morgan aims to continue improving and competing at a high level. “I hope to stay involved in sports, whether competitively or recreationally, because they’ve become an important part of my life,” she said. “I also aim to give back to the community by teaching younger generations to play tennis through an existing nonprofit organization that I am currently part of.”
As the girls badminton season continues, Morgan looks forward to future competitions. “I’m hoping to keep improving throughout the season and contribute as much as possible, while also aiming for strong performances in matches.”
