Landry Bullock. 
Courtesy of Sports Info

Landry Bullock, a senior general studies major with minors in coaching and history is expected to graduate in May of 2017. At the end of her academic career while donning a green and gold gown, Bullock will be remembered as an intense and dedicated student athlete. Bullock’s many career highs include being named to Southland Conference Honor Roll in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, she earned Southland Conference All-Academic first team, All Southland Conference Honorable Mention and All-Tournament Team in the Gamecock Invitational. In fall 2016, Bullock earned preseason All-Southland Conference honors. For the past four years she has dedicated her time playing as both an outside hitter and middle blocker for the Lady Lion’s volleyball team. She will leave a mark in Lady Lion history for thriving on positivity, teamwork, hard work and preparation.

The Lion’s Roar: What was your childhood like?

Landry Bullock: My family moved around a lot to Oklahoma, California and Louisiana, but I mainly stayed in Texas. I graduated high school in Texas, but I was born in Oklahoma. For a time we lived on a farm, so I could go out and play all day. Me and my brother played a lot of sports and rode dirt bikes together. We were outside all of the time.

TLR: What is the biggest difference between Texas and Louisiana?

LB: For a long time we lived in Beaumont, Texas, so a lot of the Cajun culture is in Beaumont. When we moved to Houston it was more of a calm city life kind of vibe with lots of suburbs, but Louisiana has lots of culture and celebrations here.

TLR: What values were instilled in you as a child?

LB: We were always in sports. Once one ended, we were signed up for another. My parents instilled hard work and responsibility while living on the farm. They told me ‘you’re getting this because you earned it.’

TLR: When did you first gain an interest in volleyball?

LB: Freshman year of high school was the first year that I played.

TLR: Do you play other sports now? If not, have you in the past?

LB: In the summer, I play sand volleyball. In the past, I did dance, gymnastics, soccer, basketball and swimming. Volleyball and swimming were my two biggest and I got into those my freshman year of high school.

TLR: Why are you so passionate about the game of volleyball?

LB: I just really like the team aspect of it. If a person gets a good pass, it’s someone else’s responsibility to better the ball. Everyone has to be on the same wavelength. You feel so much more accomplished. Your energy could have helped someone else on the court.

TLR: What do you remember the most about your freshmen season?

LB: That’s the year we switched coaches right in the middle of pre-season. It was frantic because we got Coach Smoot. He brought us to the beach and let us go hang out, so we got off on a good note. It’s been fun with him getting to know us and us getting to know him over the past few years.

TLR: What has been your biggest change(s) you’ve seen in yourself since your freshman year?

LB: I’m a lot more positive. Freshman year if I made a mistake I would look down on myself and wouldn’t look for my team to help. Freshman year I was a selfish player, but now I’m a team player.

TLR: Have you always played the same position as a Middle Blocker? What is unique about this position?

LB: All through high school and club I’ve played middle. One day during sophomore year Smoot said ‘Have you ever played outside?’ and that’s when my transition started to being an outside hitter. The biggest change was having to get set four or five times in a row to wait on the set. You can be the go-to hitter on the outside just because you have to be able to put the ball down more times than not.

TLR: What opponent have you learned the most from?

LB: Nicholls from our game last year, because we had beaten them 25 to 14 for the first two sets. The third set we were close to winning and got comfortable and lost the third, fourth and fifth set. The game isn’t over until the scoreboard says 25. You have to play in the moment and always be ready for anything to happen.

TLR: What is your greatest accomplishment on the court?

LB: I got voted captain this year. The team votes for it, so the team has confidence in me to lead them. Last year I got a bunch of awards from the Southland Conference and Louisiana. I got pre-season all conference this year. It’s nice to have other people see hard work that pays off.

TLR: What is your greatest accomplishment off the court?

LB: Keeping a good grade point average. My cumulative is like a 3.5 right now. A lot of people don’t realize that we travel Wednesday afternoon and come back Saturday night or Sunday at 2 a.m. We travel, practice, work out and attend meetings. Being able to balance coursework and volleyball to be eligible to play is a good accomplishment for any student athlete.

TLR: What are you most proud of last season?                            

LB: Last season we won against UCA [University of Central Arkansas] which I believe was the first time in SLU history. We played SFA [Stephen F. Austin] in the same week I believe and beat them. Both teams are really good and for us to play at that level it gave us a big confidence boost.

TLR: What do you hope to improve in this season?

LB: Personally, I would like time to improve my defense and blocking. It’s hard for me to get low and dive because of my bum knee, pushing through that knowing the difference between hurt and pain to keep the ball up is something I need to work on. Teamwise, I would like us to push through the little points. A lot of games we lose by a little. One serve or hit that didn’t come out could cost us the game. Staying level headed and keeping our energy up is really important from the first point to the last point.

TLR: What is the biggest misconception that people have about you?

LB: A lot of people think I’m mean and really quiet at first. A lot of people think I’m rude and don’t like people. It takes a little bit for me to get used to people and get to know them, but I’m not mean.

TLR: What are your future goals?

LB:  I’m really thinking about going to get my masters. I don’t know where yet. I don’t really have ties anywhere because my family is all spread out. I want to work with athletes in some way whether it be coaching or academic advising for athletes for high school or college. Once I look into it more, that’s something I would definitely work towards.

TLR: What legacy do you hope to leave as a Lady Lion?

LB: The legacy I want to leave would be having a positive outlook on and off the court. Being a good student and always being prepared for practice. The first ball you touch, you got to be ready, and you got to be ready to play the last ball you touch. Hard work and positivity can go a long way.