Senior Spotlight: Aubrey Pitts and Emma Blockhus
3/26/2020 12:00:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
Twice weekly we will highlight spring sport senior athletes on their careers at Saint Mary's
The spring season is the second season of the year for Aubrey Pitts, but the lone athletic season for Emma Blockhus. The teammates share the sand courts for Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball in the spring before Pitts transitions back to the indoor courts during the fall semester.
2020 was set to be the first beach season for Aubrey Pitts, who had previously spent four seasons playing indoor for the Gaels. Unfortunately for her and the rest of her teammates, the season ended before it could really get started, with just eight matches underway before it came to a halt. Pitts had not seen any time in an official match this year.
None of that seemed to phase Pitts when asked about her thoughts on the year. "I thought this year was extra special because of the time we spent trying to connect with each other outside of practices" Pitts mentioned about her senior season and the people she spent it with. "I know more than I probably need to about each of my teammates and that helped build a lot of trust between all of us. My teammates are some of my best friends. They're funny, kind, and hard working. It's pretty easy to enjoy spending time with people who know how to work hard and have fun."
The indoor season had become the most productive in the career of Aubrey Pitts, where she earned All-WCC Honorable Mention honors for the first time in her career after picking up 145 kills during the year. What was more impressive was her totals up the middle as a force at the net: 124 total blocks, ranking second in the conference and 11th in the NCAA in blocks per set (she played 86 sets).
Looking back on a career that featured a trip to the NCAA Tournament as a junior, Pitts was clear in going back to the very beginning in what she saw about coming to Moraga. "The biggest reason I chose Saint Mary's is the way the team and coaches made me feel during my visit," cited Pitts. "The team culture here is really special. I liked that at Saint Mary's it wasn't just about volleyball. We learned how to be well-rounded people. I got to be around people who supported and pushed me to be my best academically and athletically." That all clearly came to fruition with her WCC All-Academic honorable mention award in 2019.
While most choose to play both indoor and beach volleyball, Blockhus has been a mainstay for the Gaels on the sand courts for the last two seasons after transferring from West Valley College. After not registering an official match during her first season as a Gael, she was set to make an impact during the 2020 season.
"I suffered a concussion during the first game of the season against Cal, so I had already felt the sadness of the season being over," Blockhus said when asked about her final season being cut short due to COVID-19 concerns. Reality began to settle in. "Being able to persevere through the mental and physical pain (of multiple injuries) and keep up with my academics will be forever my greatest accomplishment."
Her career at West Valley College saw success, where she and her teammates were able to guide West Valley College to the state tournament for just the second time in program history. During beach season, Blockhus was named one of the three teams along with her partner for all of Northern California.
While her previous accomplishments were great, Blockhus remembers living with teammates and her first match as memories that really stand out. About living with teammates, Blockhus said "this experience was amazing because we were able to support each other on the court, but also with anything that life through our way." Her first match as a Gael, though, provided quite the thrill. "My path was very unconventional, but when I was given the opportunity to play, I will never forget that rush."
What does Blockhus plan to do when her career is over? She wants to continue education, both as a teacher and as an innovator in creating volleyball programs. "I see myself as a first-grade teacher in a suburb in the bay area. I also want to create a volleyball team in the elementary school district so we can expand the program."
#GaelsRise
The spring season is the second season of the year for Aubrey Pitts, but the lone athletic season for Emma Blockhus. The teammates share the sand courts for Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball in the spring before Pitts transitions back to the indoor courts during the fall semester.
2020 was set to be the first beach season for Aubrey Pitts, who had previously spent four seasons playing indoor for the Gaels. Unfortunately for her and the rest of her teammates, the season ended before it could really get started, with just eight matches underway before it came to a halt. Pitts had not seen any time in an official match this year.
None of that seemed to phase Pitts when asked about her thoughts on the year. "I thought this year was extra special because of the time we spent trying to connect with each other outside of practices" Pitts mentioned about her senior season and the people she spent it with. "I know more than I probably need to about each of my teammates and that helped build a lot of trust between all of us. My teammates are some of my best friends. They're funny, kind, and hard working. It's pretty easy to enjoy spending time with people who know how to work hard and have fun."
The indoor season had become the most productive in the career of Aubrey Pitts, where she earned All-WCC Honorable Mention honors for the first time in her career after picking up 145 kills during the year. What was more impressive was her totals up the middle as a force at the net: 124 total blocks, ranking second in the conference and 11th in the NCAA in blocks per set (she played 86 sets).
Looking back on a career that featured a trip to the NCAA Tournament as a junior, Pitts was clear in going back to the very beginning in what she saw about coming to Moraga. "The biggest reason I chose Saint Mary's is the way the team and coaches made me feel during my visit," cited Pitts. "The team culture here is really special. I liked that at Saint Mary's it wasn't just about volleyball. We learned how to be well-rounded people. I got to be around people who supported and pushed me to be my best academically and athletically." That all clearly came to fruition with her WCC All-Academic honorable mention award in 2019.
While most choose to play both indoor and beach volleyball, Blockhus has been a mainstay for the Gaels on the sand courts for the last two seasons after transferring from West Valley College. After not registering an official match during her first season as a Gael, she was set to make an impact during the 2020 season.
"I suffered a concussion during the first game of the season against Cal, so I had already felt the sadness of the season being over," Blockhus said when asked about her final season being cut short due to COVID-19 concerns. Reality began to settle in. "Being able to persevere through the mental and physical pain (of multiple injuries) and keep up with my academics will be forever my greatest accomplishment."
Her career at West Valley College saw success, where she and her teammates were able to guide West Valley College to the state tournament for just the second time in program history. During beach season, Blockhus was named one of the three teams along with her partner for all of Northern California.
While her previous accomplishments were great, Blockhus remembers living with teammates and her first match as memories that really stand out. About living with teammates, Blockhus said "this experience was amazing because we were able to support each other on the court, but also with anything that life through our way." Her first match as a Gael, though, provided quite the thrill. "My path was very unconventional, but when I was given the opportunity to play, I will never forget that rush."
What does Blockhus plan to do when her career is over? She wants to continue education, both as a teacher and as an innovator in creating volleyball programs. "I see myself as a first-grade teacher in a suburb in the bay area. I also want to create a volleyball team in the elementary school district so we can expand the program."
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
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