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.