Inspiring others to “love big” and “see the good”.
Campbell is the current Graduate Assistant for the Belmont Volleyball program. She is heavily involved with the team in many ways outside of practice, games, and daily operations.
She is a breath of fresh air for the team. Her positivity, love, and words of encouragement are just a few of the qualities she brings to the team every day.
Her personal experiences leading up to this point have shaped who she is. Campbell’s identity is found in Christ and she is “the girl who loves well”.
Here is her story!
High School
Standing around 5’6 entering high school, Campbell was told she was too small to play volleyball and especially too small to be a hitter.
Campbell began making an impact within her high school program which led to her being named the 3x Player of the Year for her city. As if that wasn’t enough, she committed to play at Baylor University during her junior year campaign.
Campbell pressed into volleyball and invested in her athletic abilities in hopes of becoming an elite athlete. Overall, she had a good high school experience, however, she faced issues with being judged for her faith, values, and morals along the way.
“Growing up my parents taught me about Jesus and who He is. I’m really thankful for that because it built such a great foundation for my faith.”
She continued to be the person she wanted to be. Led by Christ, kind to others, and striving to be “the girls who loves well”. While it was not easy, it paid off.
“I just want to be known as the girl who loves well, and who wants to show Jesus’ life. It was hard at some times, but I am so thankful that I had God’s strength in me to keep me on that path instead of falling into a different direction.”
Baylor Beginnings
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, she arrived early at Baylor in May of 2019, Campbell joined the Baylor volleyball program.
“I was so excited… From the minute I got on campus, they were like “We are going to win a national championship this year. Either get in or get out.”
Campbell’s freshman class had the mentality that they were going to do just that. Led by an elite class of six seniors, Campbell says that they were the best leaders.
With a Christ-centered volleyball program, the team was grounded in their faith. The team had an annual team retreat where Campbell’s life would change forever.
Life Changes
At the team retreat, Campbell took a big step and decided to be baptized. (YAY!) A teammate baptized her with her coaches and other teammates by her side.
It was also at this time that Campbell was bit by a tick.
“It’s just ironic that I got baptized and then that was the start of some of the hardest moments of my life.”
Campbell pushed through a new onset of illness. Not just “Oh-I-have-the-sniffles-sick, like serious sick. She was a freshman, the team was doing well, and she didn’t speak up about her unknown illness. That is, until those around her began to notice the change in her health.
“I didn’t want to seem like a weak freshman. I did not say anything until they started noticing that my eyes were getting swollen shut and that I was having paralysis in my face. One practice I could not move my legs… they were numb.”
Campbell went five months until she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Over that time period, she never stopped playing volleyball and continued attending class. Which ultimately took a toll on her mental health.
“That’s when I really faced mental health issues of depression and anxiety. I’m so open to talk about it now because I got through it and I saw what a dark place I was in at the time. I’m so passionate about helping other people get through stuff like that.”
What helped Campbell get through one of the most challenging times of her life was how her circle of people poured into her.
Back on the Court
The world shut down and everyone was sent home for COVID. Campbell pressed back into volleyball and came back ready to play and she was determined to find her way onto the court. The Big XII had a mini-season in the fall of 2020 while most other universities canceled.
Fast forward to the spring, Campbell began feeling ill again. The thing about Lyme Disease is that it impacts everyone differently. Some more tests showed that she was experiencing another flare-up, but she pressed on, put the team first, and pushed through the season.
“It was so tough to push through that. I am so thankful that I did because I didn’t know that would be my last season.”
Baylor made it to the Sweet Sixteen where they fell to Nebraska.
Finding Identity
After the season, Campbell made the trip to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix only to get the news she didn’t want to hear.
“I ended up developing a blood disorder because of this. It has affected my heart and some other organs in a negative way. Where I have problems that I will probably have for a long time.”‘
As a result, the doctors and her parents told her that she probably couldn’t play volleyball anymore. She was heartbroken because she finally had the chance of fulfill her dream and play at the Big XII level.
“I had told myself that my identity wasn’t in volleyball, but then it got taken away from me so soon, plus I wasn’t feeling as well. I’m like “gosh I’m having an identity crisis right now” because this is not the way it was supposed to go.”
The summer was a time of self-reflection. Both on her time at Baylor and who she was and wants to be, and what direction she wants her life to go.
“I learned the hard way that you’ve got to put your identity in something bigger than your sport…For me, I had to put my identity in Christ.”
Campbell has since seen the fruit of stepping back from volleyball. She’s in awe of watching God work.
“The only reason I got out of that hole was because of God- because of his grace and his faithfulness…
This plan was way better than if I was able to play all four years…
I am confident because God has been so good to me and He has pulled me through the darkness. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be another dark season of life. That means I have evidence of getting through it.”
Campbell’s journey through college has been far from what she expected and planned for herself. Through her trials and changes, she has strengthened her relationship with God and continues to share His love with those around her.
She is the perfect combination of a kind soul, elite volleyball IQ, mental health advocate, and a loving person.
She is an answer to Belmont Volleyball prayers.
I Say Rejoice!
Campbell has her very own podcast! It’s a place to come as you are and learn how to rejoice in the midst of the struggles. She is using her personal experiences and creating a platform to directly impact lives.
Give it a listen!
