More than an athlete: Hannah Upton
Photo by Reily Rogers courtesy of Lee Athletic Communications
When she’s not dominating on the volleyball court, junior communications major Hannah Upton loves hanging out with her friends, watching movies and painting. Upton, the middle blocker for the Lee University volleyball team, has been on the team since her freshman year.
After visiting on Lee Day, Upton knew she wanted to attend Lee University.
“My mom came here, and she was in the first group of Voices. I really didn’t want to come to Lee, but she forced me to come to Lee Day, and I talked to the previous coach – Coach Hudson – and then after Lee Day I never came on a visit,” Upton said. “I was like ‘I want to come here, I want to play here,’ and then I committed a month later. I just felt like that’s where I really wanted to be, and I felt like God was calling me to come here.”
Being a student athlete, Upton believes she has found a balance when it comes to maintaining her schoolwork and her sport.
“I like to find a balance between volleyball and not volleyball … I’ve been playing volleyball since I was in sixth grade, so I’ve been a student athlete for as long as I’ve played the sport, so it’s very easy for me to manage both of them,” said Upton. “It does get a little bit overwhelming when I have a bunch of exams stacked in a week where we’re traveling somewhere, and so I might miss a class, but honestly, I feel like I’ve just formed a habit, and I know how to prioritize my time and create schedules that help me out.”
Upton is very vocal and supportive when it comes to game time and off the court practices, according to volleyball head coach Callie Murphy.
“She is always offering some type of encouragement or advice to our starters during the match,” said Murphy. “She truly sets a standard of what being a vocal leader in the gym can look like.”
Mackenzie Pearson, junior marketing major, has been friends with Upton since their first year on the team in 2019.
“One of my favorite memories with Hannah during volleyball was Halloween practice when Hannah dressed up as Troy Bolton and would not stop singing High School Musical,” said Pearson. “Hannah brings so much energy and encouragement to this team. During every timeout in a game, she is always encouraging people and giving them tools for success for the next play.”
Murphy often talks about ‘setting the standard’ in the program and giving a voice to all, and she believes Upton does it well.
“We don’t view leadership in the same line of ranking in class – it is who shows up everyday and is willing to listen, work hard, and execute the game plan – all while being an overall great teammate,” said Murphy. “She finds every opportunity to find a purpose off the court and mentor those around her. She is a ‘standard’ in our gym of working hard and finding ways to be a part of a win, regardless of playing time, and I truly believe that is how she mentors others around her so well. She is a great listener and cares for all and doesn’t let the standard slip. That’s what great leaders do.”
For more information on the volleyball team, visit leeuflames.com. For more information about Hannah Upton, and a day in the life of a student athlete, check out the Lee Clarion Instagram story on Nov. 6.
Senior Reporter Chris Burkhalter contributed to this article.
