We Are A Family Now
11/30/2018 3:42:00 PM | Volleyball
Volleyball’s Three Seniors Reflect on Baylor Careers.
By Samantha Caldwell
Three women. Three different stories. One connection: Volleyball.
Jaelyn Jackson, Ashley Fritcher and Aniah Philo are three different women but share a unique experience that only 3.9 percent of college women get to experience: Intercollegiate volleyball.
Jackson has had highs and lows throughout her collegiate volleyball career, racking up more than three injuries that limited her to playing in just 17 matches total her first three seasons. Through all the injuries, through the pain and the metal rod in her leg, Jackson finds strength.
Even while she wasn't able to play, Jackson was able to bring a positive outlook to the other players. "I found that adversity builds character," she said, "and my injuries made me who I am today."
From the sidelines, Jackson would encourage her teammates and be their confidante. "Human interaction was vital to my success here," said Jackson, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from South Chesterfield, Va. "I became confident in volleyball when I became confident that the people around me liked me."
Fritcher, a senior right-side hitter from Houston, couldn't agree more.
"Jaelyn was so encouraging to others," Fritcher said of Baylor volleyball's self-described "team mom."
Starting at Baylor the day after she graduated from high school, Fritcher was able to double up on her schooling to graduate early. She is now working on a master's in communication sciences and disorders.
As tough as it was to finish her undergrad degree early, Fritcher said the real challenge for her was volleyball. "I've grown so much from this sport. I've been stretched more than I could think possible."
The last player recruited by former coach Jim Barnes, Fritcher talks about how the team changed throughout her time at Baylor.
"Freshman year was kind of disconnected," she said. "We were friendly, but it wasn't until 2017 that we found our groove."
Philo, a senior outside hitter from Rockwall, Texas, transferred to Baylor in 2016 from Louisville and immediately knew that this team was different. "There is love here," she said. "I was welcomed, and the team is so family-oriented. We are a family."
Drawn to the team's dynamic, Philo said, "There was a standard of help for each other. We support, encourage and count on our teammates. It's all about accountability."
Through the last three years, these women have become family, with the majority of their college careers spent together. They have become stronger as players and leaders, but the growth didn't happen overnight.
They can actually pinpoint the exact time that the team mentality changed. When the Bears beat Washington State in a five-setter in September 2016, the confidence of the team changed. "We came from not winning to winning," Fritcher said, with that win leading to the first of three straight NCAA Tournament berths.
Looking back at their time at Baylor, the three seniors can't help but reminisce about all of the changes they've gone through and what they want people to remember about them.
In the beginning, Jackson felt some trepidation about playing volleyball at Baylor. "I was so scared because there wasn't a lot of representation (of African-American players) on the team. To me, representation is so important. But, Baylor has made so many steps toward having a diverse team, and that has really made me feel at home."
As head coach Ryan McGuyre and his staff added more African Americans to the roster, Jackson said she felt as though she truly belonged. She wants "people to remember me as someone who worked for my successes. It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for my injuries."
Fritcher, the District 19-5A MVP as a senior at Houston Stratford High School, has had to work through difficulties with volleyball to get where she is today.
"It took me a while to understand that I am stronger than I thought," she said. "After I realized that, I was able to go out and give the game my all. I never let what's happening around me influence me. And I hope people remember that."
Described as hard-working and passionate, Philo said she wants the next person that wears jersey No. 8 "to realize what went into that jersey."
The blood, sweat, tears and hours that went into making 8 a significant number for Philo came from learning to overcome and confront her issues early. "You can't let things marinate," she said. "Talk it out and get over it."
Over the last four years, these three women have nothing but good memories and a new family.
"We have spent so much time together, I can't imagine my life without them," Jackson said.
In the beginning, three very different women joined Baylor's volleyball team. In the end, whenever that comes, they will leave as a family.
Three women. Three different stories. One connection: Volleyball.
Jaelyn Jackson, Ashley Fritcher and Aniah Philo are three different women but share a unique experience that only 3.9 percent of college women get to experience: Intercollegiate volleyball.
Jackson has had highs and lows throughout her collegiate volleyball career, racking up more than three injuries that limited her to playing in just 17 matches total her first three seasons. Through all the injuries, through the pain and the metal rod in her leg, Jackson finds strength.
Even while she wasn't able to play, Jackson was able to bring a positive outlook to the other players. "I found that adversity builds character," she said, "and my injuries made me who I am today."
From the sidelines, Jackson would encourage her teammates and be their confidante. "Human interaction was vital to my success here," said Jackson, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from South Chesterfield, Va. "I became confident in volleyball when I became confident that the people around me liked me."
Fritcher, a senior right-side hitter from Houston, couldn't agree more.
"Jaelyn was so encouraging to others," Fritcher said of Baylor volleyball's self-described "team mom."
Starting at Baylor the day after she graduated from high school, Fritcher was able to double up on her schooling to graduate early. She is now working on a master's in communication sciences and disorders.
As tough as it was to finish her undergrad degree early, Fritcher said the real challenge for her was volleyball. "I've grown so much from this sport. I've been stretched more than I could think possible."
The last player recruited by former coach Jim Barnes, Fritcher talks about how the team changed throughout her time at Baylor.
"Freshman year was kind of disconnected," she said. "We were friendly, but it wasn't until 2017 that we found our groove."
Philo, a senior outside hitter from Rockwall, Texas, transferred to Baylor in 2016 from Louisville and immediately knew that this team was different. "There is love here," she said. "I was welcomed, and the team is so family-oriented. We are a family."
Drawn to the team's dynamic, Philo said, "There was a standard of help for each other. We support, encourage and count on our teammates. It's all about accountability."
Through the last three years, these women have become family, with the majority of their college careers spent together. They have become stronger as players and leaders, but the growth didn't happen overnight.
They can actually pinpoint the exact time that the team mentality changed. When the Bears beat Washington State in a five-setter in September 2016, the confidence of the team changed. "We came from not winning to winning," Fritcher said, with that win leading to the first of three straight NCAA Tournament berths.
Looking back at their time at Baylor, the three seniors can't help but reminisce about all of the changes they've gone through and what they want people to remember about them.
In the beginning, Jackson felt some trepidation about playing volleyball at Baylor. "I was so scared because there wasn't a lot of representation (of African-American players) on the team. To me, representation is so important. But, Baylor has made so many steps toward having a diverse team, and that has really made me feel at home."
As head coach Ryan McGuyre and his staff added more African Americans to the roster, Jackson said she felt as though she truly belonged. She wants "people to remember me as someone who worked for my successes. It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for my injuries."
Fritcher, the District 19-5A MVP as a senior at Houston Stratford High School, has had to work through difficulties with volleyball to get where she is today.
"It took me a while to understand that I am stronger than I thought," she said. "After I realized that, I was able to go out and give the game my all. I never let what's happening around me influence me. And I hope people remember that."
Described as hard-working and passionate, Philo said she wants the next person that wears jersey No. 8 "to realize what went into that jersey."
The blood, sweat, tears and hours that went into making 8 a significant number for Philo came from learning to overcome and confront her issues early. "You can't let things marinate," she said. "Talk it out and get over it."
Over the last four years, these three women have nothing but good memories and a new family.
"We have spent so much time together, I can't imagine my life without them," Jackson said.
In the beginning, three very different women joined Baylor's volleyball team. In the end, whenever that comes, they will leave as a family.
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