In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of preparing a solid support for a transition metal catalyst is disclosed. The solid support may have a unique morphology that may be derived from contacting the magnesium compound and an electron donor in the presence of a fluorinated organic compound to form the solid support. The solid support may be used to form an enhanced catalyst. The enhanced catalyst may be used, in combination with an organoaluminum compound, as a Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst. The ZN catalyst including the enhanced catalyst may be used to form a UHMWPE.