So I'm just gonna interview about your time at Mizzou, kind of like a senior spotlight thing. So first off, a little bit like you at a young age, who sparked your interest in volleyball, and there's, like, a story behind that. Yeah. I
mean, my whole family played volleyball. My parents met, like, playing sand volleyball together, and then my older brother, he was, he's like, four or five years old with me, and he always played. And so I would always get asked to, like, pepper in the backyard, and I don't know it was just always around my family and I played really
on, how was your experience playing in high school?
It was great. I mean, I my high school team itself wasn't, like, the most amazing team, but I think that's where I learned, like, how important having a grading team is. Because that team wasn't the best team I've ever been on, but we went way further than like we were expected to, because we just had so much grit and we wanted it so bad. And then my club team was, we were, we were really good team. And it was, it was a lot of fun playing with those girls. And I mean, I had a few girls from Rockwood on this team with me. So who are those girls? Morgan was on my team. And then we had a girl my freshman, sophomore year, named daddy lane, and she's not here anymore. And same with Maddie sell, she was a year younger, but she was here too,
being a type of crew. Why do you choose Mizzou?
Well, I came to camps here ever since I was, like, fifth grade, sixth grade, and I went to them like, all throughout. And I'm a pretty stubborn person, and I always decide I knew from a young age. I was like, I've gone to the camps here, and the coaches, like, really liked me. And obviously it was different coaches out then, but I liked it. It was close. My dad went here, and I don't know I just came since I was young, and it was just a dream of mine, and it was all I really had my focus on.
What were some of your favorite parts of your freshman year here?
Well, I think the friendships that I made were some of the best friendships I've ever made. I had one of my best friends here that year, and I think it's when I learned that I was capable of competing at this level. Obviously, it wasn't the best year, like of Mizzou volleyball history, but it's where I learned that I can be on the court and contribute,
and then your sophomore season got a little more playing time. How was that?
I mean, that was that was great too. I had to work through some stuff at the beginning, just like I wasn't on at the beginning, but then I found my spot on the court, and it was just again, like, I think both of those years helped a lot with my confidence going into the season. That was much more successful. Yeah, and
then there's a changing guard going in your junior year. How relieving was it to see, like, a change in coaching, and this is just a fresh start.
It was great. I mean, I was nervous at first, because I was like, is actually gonna work? Like, is this gonna change? And I remember, like, early on, we had a loss that we, like, shouldn't have lost, and I remember being distraught, and I was like, Oh my gosh, this can't happen again. But everyone around me, and, like the coaches and everyone just was like, keep believing, like, this is this is gonna work out. And then we started winning. And I was like, the whole time it was surreal. Like I would come out here and just like, smile when we were out in her and center, because I was just like, oh my gosh, this is awesome. And how special was that season. It was, I don't think I'll remember it, or I don't think I'll ever forget it, because it was like we were finally being talked about. We were finally on the map. And it was just it was so much fun to have a new team and new coaching staff that I felt like had like belief in all of us on the court,
how you feel your game improved from your sophomore year to your junior
Well, whenever, so Dawn got here in the spring of my sophomore year, I guess, and she helped me a lot with, like, a lot of, like, technical things, and a lot of that was like hitting high hands and just like being able to play six rotations, because before I was only playing three, and she also just improved my confidence. And so I think overall, like, I was able to become more of a leader on the court, like with my voice and with my play, and I just overall, got better at like, the entire game, and not just one part of it. And
then what did it mean to you to make all SEC team and kind of have that accomplishment after working so hard?
I mean, when it happened, I, like, was looking out of curiosity of who made it, not like, Oh, am I gonna be on it? Like it like it wasn't even a thought in my head. And so I was just like, I was genuinely shocked. And at the time, we didn't know if we were going to the tournament, I was like, I don't even care if we're not in the tournament, so. But then I remember, like, a few weeks later, I was like, wow, that is so crazy. I would have never, ever expected to be on that. And it was, it was super awesome,
playing with Morgan all four years was she meant to you on and off the court.
She's like my rock. I mean, she's my roommate right now, and she's been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember. I think her and I are both very like emotional people, and so we help each other a lot through, like, what's hard in here, and we find ways to help make it better for each other in here and out of here.
You seem to be building off of last year. Again, your play and also the team. How are you feeling about your team and your performance in 2024
thus far? I mean, again, I'm just so surprised, like but in a great way, I never had any doubt that we were going to be a good team. But what we're doing right now is more than I thought we were, we were going to do, and it's so awesome. And it's, it's the people on the court and the people stepping up to play, but it's also our bench and our coaches who are helping us so much. And then obviously everyone who comes out to support
us was your been your favorite zoo volleyball memory all your four years here,
I would, I mean, beating Texas. I
don't think I'll ever forget that game. That was the coolest moment that I've ever been a part of. And like, we all went into that game and no one has a doubt, which I thought was crazy. Like, everyone was just so confident. They were like, We're winning this game. And we stayed composed the whole game. And it was just like a rewarding moment
where your goals for the rest of the season,
I would like, I would like to be SEC champs. Now, I think that's definitely like a goal that is obtainable, and if we just keep winning, then I think we can do that. And then, if we're SC champs, our goal going in was to make it to the Sweet 16, but I would love to see if we can go a little further than that. And then I think my biggest goal is just to whenever the season ends, to just feel content and happy with everything that like I have done and that this team
is done. What are your plans after graduation?
I'm not sure. So I mean, I'll have next semester to, I guess, figure out what I'm gonna do, and I'll either be trying to play pro in that semester or the year following. And then
you talk about your parents, they seem to play an important role in your life and everything. I was wondering if there's any chance I could reach out to them, and possibly, of
course, they would, they would love that. Yeah, okay, and whatever is the easiest way to do that. I mean, they're here every game. They're literally, they don't miss a game. So, yeah, absolutely, I always see them, yeah. So, I mean, it could be, I mean, Sunday. What time is our game? 530 so, I mean, I mean, after that game, could be an option, but I could also give you their number and, like, you could text or call them whatever's easier for you, okay? Or you could do both. I gave you a number. You could reach out and then you could talk to them too. It's up to you, yeah,
yeah. I'll take a number if that works, and then yeah, I'll definitely see it if they're at every game. That probably the easiest way to do yeah as well. I.
