July 09, 2004
Texas A&M senior setter Lexy Beers has chosen to retire from volleyball because of a slow healing back injury, Aggie coach Laurie Corbelli announced today.
"This is an unfortunate time for A&M volleyball", Corbelli said. "Losing Lexy, her caliber of play and the leadership she exhibited are major losses for us.
"Lexy has been in a lot of pain since the spring, and her injury is too severe for her to continue to play college volleyball. She loved being an Aggie, and our thoughts are with her and her recovery. Her future health as an adult is what is most important."
Beers, who has been the Aggies' starting setter and assist leader for the past two seasons, also has decided to remain in her hometown of Manhattan Beach, Calif., where she will continue physical therapy and pursuit of a bachelor's degree in English and a teachers certification.
"This was a very difficult decision to make," Beers said, "and after much debate, I have decided to stay home. At the moment, I am seeing a great back specialist who is trying to get me back to normal as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it is taking a lot longer than expected, and I will not be ready to play in this upcoming season.
"Since I plan to become a teacher in California, I am going to be pursuing my teaching credential at a university out here."
Beers came to A&M in 2001 following stellar careers at Mira Costa High School and with the Diggers Volleyball Club, where she was a two-time USA Junior National All-American. After serving as a key reserve in her first season at A&M, Beers was tabbed the Aggies' starting setter her sophomore season following the conclusion of All-American Jenna Moscovic's four-year career. The ultimate team player, Beers immediately stepped up to the challenge and became the Aggies' foundation as well as a fan favorite, starting every match and becoming the only player to see action in all 117 games en route to earning 2002 team co-MVP honors and the A&M Coaches Award.
Beers set an A&M season record in Big 12 Conference matches with 1,006 assists in her first year as the starting setter, breaking the previous record of 933 assists set by Moscovic in 2001. In addition, Beers posted 1,495 assists for the full season, ranking fifth in the A&M all-time season records, while directing the Aggies to a 21-10 record and to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
This past season, Beers played in all but one match while captaining A&M to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, a 23-10 record and a No. 16 final ranking. She averaged 8.85 assists per game as A&M's newly incorporated 6-2 offense set a school record with 1,880 assists for the full season and led the Big 12 and ranked 20th in the nation with 15.04 assists per game.
Beers ends her career ranked sixth in the A&M records with 2,579 assists.
"It is hard to say goodbye to such a great volleyball program, university and community," Beers said. "There is so much and so many that I will miss. The Maroon Club played a huge part in my experience at Texas A&M, and I want to thank them for their kindness and continued encouragement. I also want to say a big thank you to the community for all of the support and to everyone who made my three years at A&M so meaningful.
"I will be back to visit Aggieland in the fall and cheer for my favorite team."
"The team will miss her tremendously," Corbelli added, "but we have no choice but to move on and continue to pursue our high goals. And the team will continue to be inspired by the intangible qualities that Lexy brought to the court every day: her great work ethic, her positive attitude and her passion for volleyball. We thank Lexy for everything that she gave to the program, and we will really miss her."
While Beers has been forced to prematurely end her career, middle blocker Kendra Felder has been granted an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA. Felder, who missed most of the 2001 season because of a shoulder injury, will be a junior eligibility-wise this year.
The Aggies begin the 2004 campaign Thursday, Sept. 2, when they host Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m. on the first of the three-day McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational at G. Rollie White Coliseum.