THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 10
“I am wanting to lead this team with positivity and optimism as we are in a time of unknown.” - CAMILLE CONNER ON LEADERSHIP
Setting the Tone
Illustration by Gabrielle Shreve — THE BATTALION
Camille Conner stepping up as leader in final year in Aggieland By Jennifer Streeter @jennystreeter3
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exas A&M volleyball senior setter Camille Conner is prepared to lead the Aggies on the court. Entering her final season, Conner’s play on the court and leadership style have set the tone for her to be a pivotal player in a key season for the Aggies. Conner said she is not only excited for the
season, but she is also looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role as one of two seniors on the team. With the Aggies in a time of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, Conner said she will take a positive approach to leading her team. “I am so excited going into my senior year. I really want to enjoy my last year of playing volleyball,” Conner said. “Individually, I am wanting to lead this team with positivity and optimism as we are in a time of unknown.” In addition to being a leader, Conner is a mentor to the younger players, especially to freshman setter Melissa Walden, who said Conner has already helped her immensely over the offseason.
“Camille is such an amazingly talented athlete and has so much experience playing the game,” Walden said. “She’s really knowledgeable and has already been more than willing to share some of her perspectives on some aspects of the game.” A&M head coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn said Conner developed her leadership skills last season and will take on a more vocal role in her senior year. “Camille’s natural transition as a leader with [last year’s] senior class really solidified her as our vocal leader,” Kuhn said. “Her presence and ability to hold everyone around her accountable started with the trust and respect she has gained from each teammate.”
Not only is Conner a leader on and off the court, she is a leader on the stat sheet as well. During the 2019 season, Conner secured her place in the school record books in five categories: assists (second, 1,201), assists per set (eighth, 10.01), hitting percentage (10th, .313), service aces (14th, 26) and service aces per set (15th, .22). Conner was also the only player in the SEC to record a triple-double in 2019, posting 10 kills, 17 digs and 52 assists in a Nov. 24 match against Ole Miss. While she said she wasn’t aware of her triple-double until after the game, Conner gives credit to the team for making it possible. “It is a hard task to do because there are a
