BY CORA TASSET
From club team rivals, to high school teammates, Delaney Humm and Morgan Christiansen are now staples for FHSU’s volleyball team this year after choosing to continue their education and playing careers as Tigers.
“We were in sixth grade when we met; we played on the two main rival clubs in Nebraska,” they said. “We’ve known each other for about eight years, but we had no idea we were going to continue to play volleyball together in college.”
The Fort Hays State volleyball team recruited the two freshmen from Pius X High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Humm (10), is an outside hitter, and Christiansen (7), is a middle hitter. Both athletes have been excelling in academics and volleyball throughout high school and in their first year as Tigers.
“I knew both girls have a drive to compete, and they knew from their years of high school and club that starting is earned and they would have to work hard to earn that spot,” said Katie Wenz, Humm and Christiansen’s High School coach at Pius X. “I also knew they would excel in the classroom as both are good students and want to be successful in every aspect of life.”
In their senior season as Thunderbolts, Humm and Christiansen helped Pius X to victory as District Champions, 1st place in the Heartland Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament. They were state runner-up in the Nebraska Class A Volleyball Tournament and clinched a #2 final ranking in All-Class and Class A Top 10. This success led to them getting on FHSU’s radar early.
“I started recruiting both of them in the spring of their junior years in high school,” said FHSU Head Volleyball Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins.
Humm and Christiansen are two of five seniors playing volleyball at the collegiate level from Pius X and helped the Thunderbolts to three consecutive Class A State Tournament appearances.
Having played together for years, both Christiansen and Humm enjoy all aspects of hitting the court with each other. Morgan said she loves Delaney’s energy and her personality.
“She’s super fun to play with and we get along really well,” Christiansen said. “We already had that past connection, but it’s really nice at least having someone that you can connect with on the court right away.”
“It’s honestly comforting to have someone on the court that you have played with forever,” Humm said. “You know each other’s tendencies and what you need to say to each other if you’re having an off game.”
Humm earned three volleyball letters in her high school career. She was named First-Team Class A All-State as a senior after earning second team honors as a junior. Humm earned her spot on the third All-Class, All-State roster and picked up first-team all-city honors in 2018 after her honorable mention during her junior year. She also succeeded in her academics, being named on the honor roll in her junior and senior years.
Humm currently leads the Tigers in kills (203), she is first in service aces (10), and is second behind senior libero, Abby Hayes, in digs (150), and she is fourth in blocks (17.0). She totals 222 points with an average of about 3.83 points per set.
“They are highly competitive, but joke around a lot. That combination is a great balance and helps the team progress,” Wood-Atkins said. “I love that they treat everyone like family, including each other. They tease and play-fight like sisters.”
At Pius, Christiansen earned varsity letters with the volleyball team and the basketball team during her high school athletic career. She was named second-team, All-City during her junior season. Christiansen totaled 189 kills, 88 blocks, and 34 service aces during her senior year. She also earned honor roll mentions and was listed on the Academic All-State Roster.
She leads the Tigers in blocks (42.0) and is fifth in kills (86). She has a total of 112 points and averages 2.11 points per set.
“Delaney and Morgan bring leadership, a calming factor, experience, mental toughness, humor, and a reminder that you can still have fun while working hard,” Wenz said.
Humm and Morgan continue to grow closer with each other and with their team. They both work hard in class and on the court and they are ready to keep succeeding, and make Pius X High School and Fort Hays State University proud.