THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 17
ATHLETE FEATURE: LONDON AUSTIN-ROARK 2018 SEASON STATS KILLS — 201 POINTS — 250.5 ATTACK % — .276 BLOCKS — 93
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
Sophomore middle blocker London Austin-Roark led the team in blocks and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2018.
her to be less timid and come into her own, both in the weight room and on the court. The culture of encouragement showed Austin-Roark that her teammates were there to cheer her on and made her feel a part of a family. Saying that volleyball came pretty naturally to Austin-Roark is an understatement. In her freshman season, she dominated on the court. Despite the demanding schedule, Austin-Roark started every match for A&M last season, a feat only one other Aggie teammate, sophomore setter Camille Conner, accomplished last year. Austin-Roark led the team in blocks and finished second in kills behind
standout and then-junior Hollann Hans. Exceptional performances in victories over SEC rivals Auburn and Georgia earned her a nod as SEC Freshman of the Week in October. Austin-Roark was one of eight players to be selected for the All-SEC freshman team honors at the conclusion of the season. Her teammates also recognized her for a breakout season, voting her the Most Improved Player. Despite a standout rookie season, the pressure to duplicate her impressive performance does not seem to bother Austin-Roark. She sees it as motivation instead, helping her to focus on what’s ahead for her and the team. The middle blocker hopes to be an even
bigger asset for her team this season, contributing more in the middle in her sophomore effort. Looking to this season, the offensively talented squad has shifted their focus to strengthening their defense, a strategic move that Austin-Roark hopes to play an instrumental part in. The move should help to boost the team’s spot in the SEC rankings, Austin-Roark said. In addition to her goals on the court, Austin-Roark said she is looking forward to embracing a more mature role on the team. “This time I want to be more of a leader and follow after Camille [Conner] and Hollann [Hans],” Austin-Roark said. “I also
would like to be there for the new girls because I know the older girls helped me a lot when I came in. I know it’s hard and I want to help them get through that.” When her playing days are through, Austin-Roark hopes to coach at the collegiate level, taking the legacies of trust and leadership instilled in her in Aggieland with her. In the meantime, Austin-Roark is focused on her team and building a legacy at A&M that lasts beyond her time here. “I want my face on the wall and my name shown,” Austin-Roark said. “...I want the team to have made an impact for the future. I want trust to be our legacy.”