Burris volleyball's Lauren Nixon relieved and excited to play at Div. I UNC, Charlotte

MUNICE, Ind. — Promises were made, relationships were formed, and Lauren Nixon got her hopes up.

College recruitment can be a stressful and confusing time for athletes, but the Muncie Burris and Munciana volleyball setter was immediately drawn to Div. I Ohio University. Nixon and head coach Deane Webb's check-in phone calls expanded to hour-plus long conversations, a connection she felt, combined with traditional factors, made the Bobcats an easy top choice.

Nixon committed to Ohio in March of 2021. Webb retired two months later and was replaced by Geoff Carlston in July. Although there were some brief introductory phone calls between Nixon and Carlston, she understood there weren't many opportunities to build a relationship with the fall seasons approaching.

She then received what she assumed would be another check-in call this January. It wasn't. There was no longer a commitment from Ohio, so Nixon decided to restart the recruitment process.

"I just sat in the parking lot and was like, 'Oh my gosh, what just happened?' My whole four years I had just looked forward to (were gone)," Nixon said. "Everything from FAFSA to T-shirts, so it was very stressful and it was definitely overwhelming because the possibility of any school that I wanted to go to needing or wanting a 2022 setter was very unlikely."

The timing only made the situation worse. Most Class of 2022 players were already signed, and the post-pandemic transfer portal rules make it easier for coaches to compile more experienced rosters without the time commitment of recruiting.

Finding a new home

For the next three months, Nixon made it known she was looking for a new future home. She sent countless emails, most of which went unanswered, and worked with Munciana to regain interest from schools. Stress, worry and uneasiness dominated a significant portion of her final semester at Burris.

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But she remained persistent, expanded the geography of potential programs, and eventually heard back from several solid options. While Eastern Kentucky remained high on her list, she felt something special on her visit to UNC, Charlotte.

Nixon finally signed her commitment to the 49ers on April 13, once again free to look forward to playing Div. I volleyball.

"I'm very relieved. I am super excited," Nixon said. "Everything happens for a reason, so I think that God's plan for me is to go to UNC, Charlotte, and do the best that I can ... I was told a lot along the way just to take it in stride and do what I could, when I could, and everything would work out."

Nixon always wanted to attend college far from home, between 4 and 9 hours away, specifically, according to her mother. Charlotte is about 8:45 hours away.

It's a big city to explore, and she also said the campus was beautiful and she loved how one can drive to the mountains or the beach in just a couple of hours.

Howell immediately sensed it was a good fit.

"When we took the official visit, I sent a message to my husband that said, 'She's never going to come home,'" Howell said. "I think after the stress and having what seemed like the rug pulled out from underneath her, to have found this opportunity just seems like it's meant to be."

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UNC, Charlotte, also committed to a two-year scholarship, with the potential for a third depending on what happens with older players. Most high-level programs' scholarship money for 2022 and 2023 was taken at this stage in the recruitment process, so Nixon was pleased to earn financial help for the back-half of her college term.

Nixon also felt the 49ers coaches were all extremely dedicated to the program's future, and the team moving into the competitive American Athletic Conference this fall provides a new on-court appeal.

That means the team will play games anywhere from Texas to Florida. Nixon's family won't be able to attend as many contests like they would've at Ohio, but Howell said they plan to travel for some.

Regardless, Nixon and her family are happy that she'll live out her lifelong dream of being a college volleyball player.

"College athletics is definitely different. It can be daunting at times and, sometimes, it's more of a business than a hobby. But I enjoy every bit of volleyball from staying after to putting up nets to working on the side, personal trainer, whatever," Nixon said. "I've loved it since I started when I was 10 years old ... I think (the players and coaches) really see where this program can go and are going to do a lot to get it there."

Nixon recorded 1,245 assists, 717 digs, 658 kills and 157 aces for the Owls, and played plenty of high-level matches for Munciana. The two styles of volleyball are distinct, and although she enjoyed the grind and intensity of Munciana, Burris volleyball will always have a special place in her life.

A family tradition

She's a third generation Owls player and appreciated Burris' rich volleyball history. Nixon called it a "privilege" to go to the school and be coached by Don and Steve Shondell, and that she got to play with her little sister, freshman Lilly Howell, and do their pre-game handshake this season.

Nixon can ramble all day long about her favorite Burris volleyball memories. One highlight was she and senior Abby Kesler, with whom she's played since fourth grade, surpassing 1,000 career assists and 1,000 kills, respectively, in the same game this year.

Mostly, however, she'll miss sharing the court with the same girls she walks the halls with, those laughter-filled bus rides and the imbedded bond they had.

"I love Burris volleyball so much, so (it being over) still kind of raw. One moment I'll never forget is standing out on Senior Night thinking about, 'Oh my gosh, this is my Senior Night,'" Nixon said. "It was kind of a weird moment and surreal, in a way. I remember being a freshman for the seniors' Senior Night and thinking, 'Gosh, this is so far away. Never going to happen.' Well, literally within the blink of an eye (it did) ... Burris volleyball will always be with me."

Nixon said she doesn't plan simply seeing what happens with her college career. She hopes to apply the lessons she's learned at Burris and with Munciana to make an immediate impact on and off the court.

"Assists records and stuff like that would be cool, but also just taking this program to the next level," Nixon said. "Being a part of the development of the program is something I want to be a part of and a goal that I have."

Gus Martin is a sports reporter at The Star Press. Follow him on Twitter @GusMartin_SP, and contact him at gmartin@gannett.com or 765-729-4742.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Burris volleyball senior Lauren Nixon signs with Div. I UNC, Charlotte