HailStateVB Senior Feature: Alex Warren
December 11, 2015 | Volleyball
For the remainder of the 2015 season, HailState.com will take you through the journey of each of the five MSU volleyball seniors. Today, we conclude our five-part series with a look at senior right side hitter and San Antonio, Texas native Alex Warren.
By:Â John Galatas, MSU Media Relations
Senior Alex Warren is a survivor of life. Having had to alter her outlook and lifestyle at age 11, Warren has come to appreciate everything life throws her way. Through tragedy and adversity, Warren uses her past experiences to enjoy the little things, and hopes her story can make a difference.
Warren grew up in New Orleans and attended John Curtis Christian School. She and her family had little, but having a strong relationship with each other, they didn't need much else. Warren grew to appreciate what she was given.
In the late summer of 2005, threats of Hurricane Katrina quickly fell upon the city. But with late warnings of evacuation, the Warren family had little time to leave and were forced to ride out the storm.
On the morning of August 29, 2005, Alex was woken up by her family and rushed to the attic. With the water rising, she and her family feared the worst. The Warrens made their way safety onto the attic and waited for help to arrive.
"You're literally just thinking, 'I'm alive.'"
The Warrens were moved to the convention center and awaited their opportunity to leave. Supplies were scarce and the conditions were poor, but Warren said her family grew closer and relied on each other to persevere.
"We were able to get what we needed," she recalled. "My parents were really good at keeping us sane."
News of moving finally arrived.
"Finally they got us on school buses and they drove us to the airport," she said. "Before that, they told us we were going to San Antonio."
Warren said she struggled in her new home. Seemingly having to create another identity all over again was difficult, and she was often teased and bullied in school.
"I was too tall. I talked differently. I wasn't 'this' enough or I wasn't 'that' enough."
Warren recalls getting frustrated, but realized her potential and that greater things were to come.
"The experience of the storm changed me. It made me a different person. I think it made me stronger. I don't sweat the small things," she said. "I believe in myself because I came from nothing. There was no future for me, to now I'm here playing volleyball."
She started her volleyball competitive career in high school, and was recognized by a friend of then-MSU head coach Jenny Hazelwood.
"I actually started club very late, a lot later than most people. I started my junior year in high school while most people usually start in middle school," she said. 'My recruitment story is kind of funny because Jenny didn't actually see me, it was one of her friends. They told her, 'Hey, come get this girl. She has a great vertical so come a get her.'"
Having lived in New Orleans and San Antonio, Warren said she experienced a bit of a culture shock once she arrived in Starkville.
"I was surprised Starkville is so small, but the campus is so beautiful," she said. "My parents loved it a lot and helped me make the decision to come here. All the girls here were so nice and were so excited when I decided to come here. It really did feel like family."
Warren quickly found success on the court, racking up accolades and the statistics. By her junior year, she led the squad in kills (311) and was third on the team in blocks (59).
"I've always been very competitive," she said. "I want to be the best person on the court."
Warren continued to set personal records in her senior campaign. In the season opener, she recorded five service aces, her first since coming to MSU. In her Bulldog finale, Warren logged a career-high 25 kills against Ole Miss, helping secure MSU's first winning season since 2006.
Along with a stellar performance a match prior against LSU, Warren capped her career being named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
Although her time has come to a close, she will fondly remember her success in Maroon and White. Following graduation, Warren plans on playing overseas before attending law school.
Ten years following disaster, Warren has made the best of what life has to offer. Behind the help and advice of her mother, Warren hopes her transformation as a person will inspire and encourage others.
"Someone can be seeing you," she recalls her mother telling her. "Maybe some little girl who is from New Orleans, or lives in the 9th Ward, and maybe who is a little bit different than everyone else, maybe has aspirations different than everyone else."
"I want her to know that, 'You can be anything you want to be.'"
