Sooner Profile: Lacy Barnes

Lacy Barnes \| Senior \| Volleyball \| 5-8
	Birthdate: August 15, 1986 Parents: Mary and Tom Barnes Hometown: Rose Hill, Kan. High School: Rose Hill Major: Public Relations, Business Multimedia View Interview \| Photo Gallery \| Bio

NORMAN, Okla. -- Yes, she is the only senior on the Oklahoma volleyball team, but Lacy Barnes isn't the team's leader simply by default.

It is a title she has earned on many levels.

Barnes arrived at OU during a time when the volleyball program was an afterthought. In four short years, not only has she helped put the Sooners back on the map, she has been a key figure in one of the most successful eras in the team's history.

For that reason, and because of the attitude and work ethic she brings to the gym every day, Barnes has the ultimate respect of both her coaches and teammates.

We recently caught up with Lacy to reflect on her career so far and to get her outlook for the future.

On being the only senior on this year's team:
"It's been a unique experience for sure. We have a ton of underclassmen, but it hasn't really been a factor. The underclassmen have a lot of experience through high school clubs and stuff, so it hasn't been such a big transition.

"It's fun. I like being the person they come to ask for advice. It's mostly just school stuff, like 'Where's this building?' and 'How do I do my laundry?' type questions moreso than volleyball related. The coaches give me a hard time calling me the 'old lady' of the team, but other than that it's been fun."

On how her personality fits well with that role:
"I think I'm a very approachable person and Coach says that a lot. People feel pretty comfortable coming up to me and I get along with everyone on our team. I feel like if people have issues they can talk to me. I'm a quiet leader but a lead by example type and I think that's good for underclassmen because you respond better to what you see people doing rather than just being lectured to constantly."

On being part of the volleyball program's turnaround:
"It's been awesome. Yeah, everyone would like to be here just when we're winning, but it's also made me appreciate the good seasons because I was here for the first two years when it was a little rough. It makes me appreciate having all the wins, the good seasons and a good teams, and really just enjoy each game and each match. I don't take it for granted by any means because it's so hard to get to this level but yet so easy to go back to losing, so you can't take anything for granted."

On her greatest memory up to this point:
"Probably when we went to Hawai'i for the Sweet 16. That was the coolest trip I've ever been on so that was probably my most memorable moment so far. And just the atmosphere... Out in Hawai'i, volleyball is No. 1, so it was really cool to see people that into our sport."

On how she would script the perfect ending for this season:
"Of course the national championship, right?... Obviously a berth into the NCAA Tournament and try to make it past the Sweet 16. I'd like to go the farthest this program has gone since I've been here."

On the future of the OU volleyball program:
"Obviously it's very bright. There are three freshmen starting right now who are probably going to be here together for four years. I just see the team chemistry getting better each year. It's going to be the same team, obviously, since I'm the only one leaving, so I think next year they'll have a huge advantage coming in with chemistry and knowing how each other plays."

On the one piece of advice she'll pass on after her final game:
"Just enjoy it. It's hard and there are definitely days when practice is the last thing you want to do, but you just have to enjoy it because it's short and when you get to where I'm at, it's like 'Wow, I can't believe this is my fourth year.' Enjoy each day because it goes really fast."

On her plans after college:
"That's a good question. I want to go to grad-school. I'm not sure which area, possibly and MBA or maybe the athletics administration route. I'm currently in public relations and business so something with sports marketing or in the athletic world would be my dream job."

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