Photo by: AJ Henderson - Georgia Southern Athletics
The Incredible Balance of Ainsley Clifford's Volleyball Career
11/13/2023 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
When the senior isn't playing for Georgia Southern, she's breaking down other teams' games from the sidelines on ESPN, or heading up one of the biggest athletic events of the year
When you become a student-athlete, no one truly grasps how hard it is to balance both parts of that in addition to other activities.
Volleyball senior defensive specialist Ainsley Clifford has found a way to weigh being both a student and an athlete, all while being a part of other ventures at the same time.
From summer to winter, Clifford is knee-deep in the grind of a volleyball season while maintaining her studies. In the offseason, she will work as a sideline reporter with GATA Productions.
As a multimedia journalism major, Clifford was interested in sideline work before she got to Georgia Southern, and working with GATA Productions allowed her to further her interests.
"I started getting involved with GATA Productions at the end of my sophomore year," she said. "I started taking journalism and news reporting classes to get into the swing of things during the COVID year where there was no sideline reporting, and during the spring semester, they brought sideline back just in time for basketball and baseball season. I got to shadow and learn what it's like and then I finally got my first opportunity during the spring football game. I loved it and knew that it was something that I wanted to continue to do."
In a typical offseason, Clifford would balance her preparations for the volleyball season with her journalism work. With her impending graduation and the volleyball season coming to a close, you'll likely be seeing a lot more of her on broadcasts.
"I was still limited with how much I could work with GATA Productions because of lifts, practices, and spring games during past seasons," Clifford said. "Whenever there was an opportunity for me to cover games that didn't interfere with my volleyball schedule, I took it. Next semester, I will be completely done with volleyball, so my main focus will be working with GATA Productions and starting to apply for jobs."
This year, Clifford has also tackled another challenge, serving as the student-athlete advisory committee chair for the GUSPYs, the yearly sports awards at Georgia Southern. In addition to her academics, where she has appeared on the dean's or president's list for six consecutive semesters, she's been a model teammate and person for the volleyball coaching staff to have on the team.
"The consistency she's shown throughout her time with us–coming in every day with a great attitude, working hard while encouraging and challenging teammates to be the best versions of themselves–is what makes her such a great leader and trusted teammate," head coach Chad Willis said. "It's pretty remarkable watching how Ainsley has balanced and managed to be a student-athlete while committing to growing herself personally and professionally."
As part of Willis' first recruiting class alongside Chamblee Russell and Rebekah Farthing, Clifford has been a part of the steady growth of the program since her arrival in Statesboro.
"When we talk about our program and culture specifically, volleyball is a big part of who they are and what they're doing while they're here, but we take great pride in how our student-athletes grow and develop as people," Willis said. "Ainsley has been a great player for us, with everything from aces to good passes, digs and a relentless approach to learning and training; but more importantly, Ainsley is a great teammate, a great leader so she's exactly what we envisioned and we're incredibly proud of who she is and the value she adds to our program."
Clifford and the other seniors have been right there with Willis and the staff seeing the growth of a program that has improved by 15 wins since 2020.
"We have bought into the culture that the coaching staff wanted to put in place," Clifford said. "Whenever Chamblee, Rebekah, and I first got here, we were not a winning program. We won five games our freshman year and here we are our senior year with a 20-7 record, which is the most wins we've ever had in a season since the coaches have been here. I think our connection and chemistry as a team have a lot to do with that… we are all comfortable enough to hold each other accountable to the highest standard and push each other every day in the gym."
It has been a banner season for the volleyball team, who reached the 20-win plateau with a season-ending win over Troy. Heading into Foley, the experience and depth of the roster is something that will be a major factor in any extended run the team makes.
"Experience is something we'll need to rely heavily on, and for Ainsley and her fellow seniors, this is their 4th year being in Foley," Willis said. "They're familiar with the set-up, where we stay, the emotions and our approach going into a survive and advance format. Having that experience along with the perspective that it's the last opportunity for these seniors will bring a level of consistency and urgency going into our postseason run."
With the season winding down, Clifford and the other seniors were honored at their final game at Hanner Fieldhouse, a victory over Appalachian State. Clifford has yet to let it settle in that her volleyball career is coming to a close.
"We still have a job to do and a conference tournament to win. There were a lot of emotions on senior night with it being my last time playing in Hanner, but I don't think it will officially hit me until after our last game," she said. "I live with two other seniors and we still haven't processed that it's almost over. I am so grateful I got to go through all four years with Chamblee and Rebekah because I definitely wouldn't be here without them."
As the Eagles gear up for a conference tournament run as the third seed in the East, there is one thing on the mind for all of them– finish the job started when Willis inherited the program.
"I think we've proven that we can compete with any team in this league and I can't wait for us to make a run in the tournament," Clifford said. "This is our year to win it all, and we've worked so hard this season to get there."
When her volleyball career comes to an end, a new one will begin on the sidelines for Clifford, and it will be one that took an incredible amount of balance and hard work to get to.
Volleyball senior defensive specialist Ainsley Clifford has found a way to weigh being both a student and an athlete, all while being a part of other ventures at the same time.
From summer to winter, Clifford is knee-deep in the grind of a volleyball season while maintaining her studies. In the offseason, she will work as a sideline reporter with GATA Productions.
As a multimedia journalism major, Clifford was interested in sideline work before she got to Georgia Southern, and working with GATA Productions allowed her to further her interests.
"I started getting involved with GATA Productions at the end of my sophomore year," she said. "I started taking journalism and news reporting classes to get into the swing of things during the COVID year where there was no sideline reporting, and during the spring semester, they brought sideline back just in time for basketball and baseball season. I got to shadow and learn what it's like and then I finally got my first opportunity during the spring football game. I loved it and knew that it was something that I wanted to continue to do."
In a typical offseason, Clifford would balance her preparations for the volleyball season with her journalism work. With her impending graduation and the volleyball season coming to a close, you'll likely be seeing a lot more of her on broadcasts.
"I was still limited with how much I could work with GATA Productions because of lifts, practices, and spring games during past seasons," Clifford said. "Whenever there was an opportunity for me to cover games that didn't interfere with my volleyball schedule, I took it. Next semester, I will be completely done with volleyball, so my main focus will be working with GATA Productions and starting to apply for jobs."
This year, Clifford has also tackled another challenge, serving as the student-athlete advisory committee chair for the GUSPYs, the yearly sports awards at Georgia Southern. In addition to her academics, where she has appeared on the dean's or president's list for six consecutive semesters, she's been a model teammate and person for the volleyball coaching staff to have on the team.
"The consistency she's shown throughout her time with us–coming in every day with a great attitude, working hard while encouraging and challenging teammates to be the best versions of themselves–is what makes her such a great leader and trusted teammate," head coach Chad Willis said. "It's pretty remarkable watching how Ainsley has balanced and managed to be a student-athlete while committing to growing herself personally and professionally."
As part of Willis' first recruiting class alongside Chamblee Russell and Rebekah Farthing, Clifford has been a part of the steady growth of the program since her arrival in Statesboro.
"When we talk about our program and culture specifically, volleyball is a big part of who they are and what they're doing while they're here, but we take great pride in how our student-athletes grow and develop as people," Willis said. "Ainsley has been a great player for us, with everything from aces to good passes, digs and a relentless approach to learning and training; but more importantly, Ainsley is a great teammate, a great leader so she's exactly what we envisioned and we're incredibly proud of who she is and the value she adds to our program."
Clifford and the other seniors have been right there with Willis and the staff seeing the growth of a program that has improved by 15 wins since 2020.
"We have bought into the culture that the coaching staff wanted to put in place," Clifford said. "Whenever Chamblee, Rebekah, and I first got here, we were not a winning program. We won five games our freshman year and here we are our senior year with a 20-7 record, which is the most wins we've ever had in a season since the coaches have been here. I think our connection and chemistry as a team have a lot to do with that… we are all comfortable enough to hold each other accountable to the highest standard and push each other every day in the gym."
It has been a banner season for the volleyball team, who reached the 20-win plateau with a season-ending win over Troy. Heading into Foley, the experience and depth of the roster is something that will be a major factor in any extended run the team makes.
"Experience is something we'll need to rely heavily on, and for Ainsley and her fellow seniors, this is their 4th year being in Foley," Willis said. "They're familiar with the set-up, where we stay, the emotions and our approach going into a survive and advance format. Having that experience along with the perspective that it's the last opportunity for these seniors will bring a level of consistency and urgency going into our postseason run."
With the season winding down, Clifford and the other seniors were honored at their final game at Hanner Fieldhouse, a victory over Appalachian State. Clifford has yet to let it settle in that her volleyball career is coming to a close.
"We still have a job to do and a conference tournament to win. There were a lot of emotions on senior night with it being my last time playing in Hanner, but I don't think it will officially hit me until after our last game," she said. "I live with two other seniors and we still haven't processed that it's almost over. I am so grateful I got to go through all four years with Chamblee and Rebekah because I definitely wouldn't be here without them."
As the Eagles gear up for a conference tournament run as the third seed in the East, there is one thing on the mind for all of them– finish the job started when Willis inherited the program.
"I think we've proven that we can compete with any team in this league and I can't wait for us to make a run in the tournament," Clifford said. "This is our year to win it all, and we've worked so hard this season to get there."
When her volleyball career comes to an end, a new one will begin on the sidelines for Clifford, and it will be one that took an incredible amount of balance and hard work to get to.
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