For the beach volleyball pair Amaya Bazemore, a graduate student studying psychological science, and Isabella Rodrigue, a junior criminal justice major, being named All-Conference wasn’t just about stats, it was about growth, resilience, and proving something to themselves.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Bazemore said. “If you asked me two years ago if I’d be doing this, I would’ve laughed. I never even thought I’d be playing beach volleyball.”
Rodrigue’s journey carried a similar weight, but from a different angle.
“It proves how much I can overcome adversity,” she explained. “This season, I came in as the underdog. It was even a question if I was going to travel with the team. I had to fight for my spot.”
That sense of perseverance defined their season. Despite being one of the winningest pairs the year before, the two were not initially paired together. The separation brought doubt and frustration but ultimately pushed both athletes to grow individually before reuniting stronger.
“It hurt,” Rodrigue admitted. “I was wondering, ‘Why am I not good enough to play with her?’ But when we came back together, we had to adjust and just play our game without expectations.”
A key part of their success came down to communication, something both players emphasized repeatedly.
“That’s everything,” Rodrigue said. “That is beach volleyball.”
Their communication, however, didn’t come naturally at first. As close friends off the court, they had to learn how to balance friendship with competition.
“We had to figure out each other’s communication styles,” Rodrigue said. “We’re very different in that way, but once we understood what each other needed, it changed everything.”
Bazemore agreed, adding that growth in communication required intentional effort.
“I’m very intense and competitive, and she’s more emotional. So I had to learn what to say in those moments to pick her up instead of adding pressure.”
Beyond communication, both players highlighted personal development as a major factor in their success this season. Bazemore focused on refining technical skills like serve receive and setting, while Rodrigue emphasized mental growth.
“I had to work on my confidence and my mental health,” Rodrigue shared. “For a long time, I pushed it aside, but this year I couldn’t anymore. I had to deal with it and remind myself that I belong here.”
That mental shift proved critical during high pressure moments. Whether it meant staying quiet and locked in or reminding themselves of their purpose, both athletes found ways to stay grounded.
“Sometimes when we’re down, it’s not the other team beating us, it’s us beating ourselves,” Rodrigue said. “So we take timeouts, reset, and refocus.”
Looking back, their pride extends far beyond wins and recognition.
“I’m proud of my growth,” Bazemore said. “Not just in the sport, but as a communicator and a teammate.”
“I’m proud of how much we’ve overcome,” Rodrigue added. “Our friendship and partnership have grown so much. Even our families are close now.”
As All-Conference athletes, their journey stands as a testament to resilience, trust, and self-belief. And when asked what advice they would give younger athletes, their message was clear:
“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do,” Rodrigue said. “Your height, your background doesn’t define you.”
Bazemore added a powerful reminder:
“Work hard, but don’t sacrifice your mental health. You have to check in with yourself and know your limits. You are your own advocate.”
Through adversity, growth, and an unbreakable bond, this duo didn’t just earn recognition they built a partnership that will leave a lasting impact both on and off the sand.
