These past few months have brought many challenges, but the No. 8 Texas A&M Volleyball squad has been stronger than ever thanks to their seniors, Camille Conner and Morgan Davis. From Zoom calls to text messages, these star players have been the rock for their team.
After a fantastic end to the fall season, the team dove right into spring practices, feeding off their Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, until COVID-19 hit, putting their busy daily practices and team meetings on hold.
"COVID has challenged our team to be more adaptable this past year," Davis said. "For a while, we couldn't meet together in person as a team even though there were times that we were all in College Station. This team has shown how we can work together to get better on and off the court no matter what obstacle stands in our path."
Davis ended the 2019 season seeing action in 11 sets over seven matches, recording nine kills and seven total blocks.
The middle blocker, once in the shadows of the older teammates, has begun to embrace this newfound role of being a leader.
"I am very proud of the improvements that each person has made despite everything that has happened this year," Davis said. "Adjusting to being a leader on the team has had its challenges as well as its many rewards. My goal is to do everything I can to help my teammates get stronger as players and as people"
As for Conner, being a leader has always been her strong suit.
"Being a leader has brought many challenges along the way especially these past six months," Conner said. "I wouldn't trade anything for all the simple and difficult moments I've been through. It's been awesome to see Morgan and I grow into these roles."
Last year Conner finished the season with 1,201 assists, a spot on the All-SEC Team and was the only SEC player to record a triple-double.
Excited for the new season to begin would be an understatement for these ladies.
"I'm looking forward to getting to compete, travel and spend time with my teammates one last time," Conner said. "It's my last year getting to play for the 12th Man, so I want to enjoy every minute of it."
As for Davis, she just can't wait to play with her best friends one last time.
"It is really cool to see how much everyone cares about each other and the team's success," Davis said. "I feel so blessed to be able to play with so many sweet and amazing girls."
Being seniors comes with a bittersweet feeling for these Aggies and as for Davis, it's about more than just missing the sport she loves.
"I will miss the atmosphere that Texas A&M gives each student the most," Davis said. "The many traditions that Texas A&M has kept since the school was established. The ability to go up to anyone and start a conversation by just saying 'howdy'. The beautiful campus that will always give me chills every time I walk to class. These are just a few of the many aspects that make Texas A&M an unforgettable place to attend college."
It's hard to look forward without reminiscing on the past few years, especially with getting to the Sweet 16.
"My favorite memory was beating Rice at home to advance to the Sweet 16," Conner remembers. "The locker room celebration after the win was a memory that I will never forget."
Davis recalls the same thrilling moment of the tournament.
"My favorite memory over the past couple years was seeing our hard work pay off when we made it to the NCAA Tournament," Davis said. "It was everybody's first time to the tournament on the team so it just meant so much more achieving that goal."
As their last season under the 12th Man approaches, Conner and Davis leave behind a few words of encouragement for the next generation of Aggie Volleyball.
"These four years will be the best times of your life," Conner said. "Memories are going to be made with your teammates that you will never forget. Enjoy every moment because senior night will be here before you know it."
As for Davis, her advice is to focus on the joy that comes from playing the sport you love.
"I would love to continue to play volleyball for fun later after I graduate, but it will never be like Texas A&M Volleyball," Davis said. "Having the ability to travel to amazing places with my best friends and compete for a school I love will be something that I hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. I will forever cherish the experience that Texas A&M Volleyball has given me."
These seniors' last season might not look how they pictured it, but that won't stop these Aggies from living in the moment one last time. While COVID might have altered things, nothing will stop these ladies from achieving it all.
After a fantastic end to the fall season, the team dove right into spring practices, feeding off their Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, until COVID-19 hit, putting their busy daily practices and team meetings on hold.
"COVID has challenged our team to be more adaptable this past year," Davis said. "For a while, we couldn't meet together in person as a team even though there were times that we were all in College Station. This team has shown how we can work together to get better on and off the court no matter what obstacle stands in our path."
Davis ended the 2019 season seeing action in 11 sets over seven matches, recording nine kills and seven total blocks.
The middle blocker, once in the shadows of the older teammates, has begun to embrace this newfound role of being a leader.
"I am very proud of the improvements that each person has made despite everything that has happened this year," Davis said. "Adjusting to being a leader on the team has had its challenges as well as its many rewards. My goal is to do everything I can to help my teammates get stronger as players and as people"
As for Conner, being a leader has always been her strong suit.
"Being a leader has brought many challenges along the way especially these past six months," Conner said. "I wouldn't trade anything for all the simple and difficult moments I've been through. It's been awesome to see Morgan and I grow into these roles."
Last year Conner finished the season with 1,201 assists, a spot on the All-SEC Team and was the only SEC player to record a triple-double.
Excited for the new season to begin would be an understatement for these ladies.
"I'm looking forward to getting to compete, travel and spend time with my teammates one last time," Conner said. "It's my last year getting to play for the 12th Man, so I want to enjoy every minute of it."
As for Davis, she just can't wait to play with her best friends one last time.
"It is really cool to see how much everyone cares about each other and the team's success," Davis said. "I feel so blessed to be able to play with so many sweet and amazing girls."
Being seniors comes with a bittersweet feeling for these Aggies and as for Davis, it's about more than just missing the sport she loves.
"I will miss the atmosphere that Texas A&M gives each student the most," Davis said. "The many traditions that Texas A&M has kept since the school was established. The ability to go up to anyone and start a conversation by just saying 'howdy'. The beautiful campus that will always give me chills every time I walk to class. These are just a few of the many aspects that make Texas A&M an unforgettable place to attend college."
It's hard to look forward without reminiscing on the past few years, especially with getting to the Sweet 16.
"My favorite memory was beating Rice at home to advance to the Sweet 16," Conner remembers. "The locker room celebration after the win was a memory that I will never forget."
Davis recalls the same thrilling moment of the tournament.
"My favorite memory over the past couple years was seeing our hard work pay off when we made it to the NCAA Tournament," Davis said. "It was everybody's first time to the tournament on the team so it just meant so much more achieving that goal."
As their last season under the 12th Man approaches, Conner and Davis leave behind a few words of encouragement for the next generation of Aggie Volleyball.
"These four years will be the best times of your life," Conner said. "Memories are going to be made with your teammates that you will never forget. Enjoy every moment because senior night will be here before you know it."
As for Davis, her advice is to focus on the joy that comes from playing the sport you love.
"I would love to continue to play volleyball for fun later after I graduate, but it will never be like Texas A&M Volleyball," Davis said. "Having the ability to travel to amazing places with my best friends and compete for a school I love will be something that I hold close to my heart for the rest of my life. I will forever cherish the experience that Texas A&M Volleyball has given me."
These seniors' last season might not look how they pictured it, but that won't stop these Aggies from living in the moment one last time. While COVID might have altered things, nothing will stop these ladies from achieving it all.