She helps volleyball players make college transition

Paige holds her hypoallergenic dog, Brody.

“Volleyball has always been my passion. I played at Lee College, then Houston Baptist University, and now I’m back at Lee as the assistant coach.”

What’s your biggest coaching challenge?
“Probably dealing with freshman and sophomore girls. They need a lot of guidance in their first couple years of college, especially the ones who are away from home. They’re just not used to college classes and volleyball being as demanding as it is on their bodies. It’s never been this intense for them.

“I think I’m able to relate with them and show them it’s possible. I wasn’t somebody who was super studious. I wasn’t somebody who was really driven in school all the time, but volleyball was the thing that drove me. I knew I needed to make good grades or else volleyball wasn’t going to happen.”

Any big changes since you played in college?
“I guess there are always the temptations of being a partier or whatever, not taking everything seriously. I don’t know that it’s that different from when I played, but the younger generation may be starting to get a little more wild, you could say. As time goes on, they’re getting a little more daring. I try to help keep a handle on that aspect.”

— Paige