CAMILLE CONNER

“I am wanting to lead this team with positivity and optimism as we are in a time of unknown.”

- CAMILLE CONNER ON LEADERSHIP

Illustration by Gabrielle Shreve — THE BATTALION Setting the Tone

Camille Conner stepping up as leader in final year in Aggieland

By Jennifer Streeter

@jennystreeter3

Texas 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

ATHLETE FEATURE: CAMILLE CONNER

Senior setter Camille Conner, a four-year starter, will take on a more prominent leadership role this season.

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

lot of aspects that go into it. It depends on the pass, how long the game is, how the team is responding to the setter, how the hitters are doing and if the setter is being attacked by the other team,” Conner said. “I never [knew] in the game that I [was] getting close to a triple-double. It was awesome to be in the locker room and our assistant coach telling me that I got a triple-double.”

In her three years with the team, Conner has collected many accolades. In 2019, she was placed on the All-SEC Team, named to two All-Tournament teams, named the SEC Setter of the Week once, placed on the AVCA All-South Region Team and was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. In March of 2020, she was also selected to the U.S. Collegiate National Volleyball Team.

A&M associate head coach Kolby O’Donnell said Conner always goes above and beyond with her training.

“I know Camille is prepared to have a strong senior season,” O’Donnell said. “She is someone that puts in a lot of work behind the scenes, whether it is doing extra reps, watching video, fueling her body [or] getting enough sleep to make sure she is prepared.”

Conner’s connection to the sport extends beyond her own playing career. Her sister was also a volleyball player, her brother is currently the head coach for College Station’s A&M Consolidated High School volleyball team and used to be a member of the Reedling Brothers, and her parents have provided support throughout her athletic career.

“It has been a blessing to see how volleyball has brought my family closer,” Conner said. “I am able to support my brother at his volleyball games at A&M Consolidated High School. I played volleyball with my sister growing up, so she really set the standard for me. Lastly, all of these volleyball games have brought us closer to our parents. They are the rock of our family. They are there for everything we have.”

Kuhn said Conner’s work ethic and family oriented mentality fits in with A&M’s team philosophy and has shaped her as a leader.

“Family, Choice, Voice means so much to this group and is the foundation of how they live their daily lives,” Kuhn said. “Seeing her develop and grow into the leader she is for this program is one of the most rewarding things to witness as a staff.”

Conner said her teammates serve as her motivation to be the best she can be.

“My teammates are what keep me going every day,” Conner said. “I know that they are pushing themselves to be better for the team. I couldn’t do it without all 17 of them.”