By: Amanda Ronan
Going into her freshman season, Tatum Shipes, is looking forward to making an early impact on the Auburn volleyball team with hopes of being a positive influence on the court. She is looking forward to being a teammate where others can depend on her and she can lift others up when they're down- not just on the court, but in every aspect of life as a student-athlete.
"I want my other teammates to view me as a happy person," Shipes said. "I like having everyone around me happy. I want them to know that if they're down they can come to me to pick them back up."
The Buford, Ga. native comes from an athletic family who has supported her and influenced her to be the best that she can be on the court. In high school, she was ranked the No. 34 player in the country on the 2018 PrepVolleyball Senior Aces list. In addition, she was 2017 8-AAAAA Region Player of the Year, 2017 PrepVolleyball Club All-American, a three-time First Team All-State, and led Buford High School to back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016.
Q: What are the perks of being closer to home?
A: I'll have a bigger fan base. A lot of family and friends will be able to come watch me play.
Q: What made you want to come to Auburn?
A: I come from a very small town that's very big on sports. I felt that Auburn was just like that. Everyone is a die-hard Auburn fan. It's a small college town, and I just love it.
Q: What do you think was your defining moment as a volleyball player?
A: I played basketball my whole life, but in seventh grade, I started playing volleyball and it was just so much fun. It was a different way to play sports. There was just a lot more energy and I just liked that better.
Q: Coming from an athletic family, how was your support system growing up as an athlete?
A: Everyone knows their limits. We know when to support each other, we know when to let each other be and it's really nice to know that you have that support system.
Q: What is your mindset going into your freshman season?
A: My mindset is to grow the Auburn volleyball program and become more of a unit. Also to win the SEC of course.
Q: What is the best advice someone has ever given you? Who gave you that advice and how do you implement it into your daily life?
A: Don't take anything for granted because it goes by fast. Looking back, high school just went by so fast and I've already taken my first college classes this summer. It just goes by so fast. My mom told me that.
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: I love going to Toomer's Corner. Even if it's just to go downtown or for a football game. I also love saying 'War Eagle' to anyone and everyone. If someone from home has an Auburn shirt on, I love saying it.
Q: How would you define 'War Eagle'?
A: It's like a 'hey, what's up', kind of greeting. If they are a fan, they'll say it back.
Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?
A: Definitely Cinderella. Cinderella just has so much power and I love that. Her life is just so charming. I love how she came from nothing and turned into something.
Q: What do you think your hometown is famous for?
A: Football. Our high school is really good at sports all-around, and it's definitely a focus in my hometown.
Q: What song would you be caught listening to before a game?
A: In My Feelings by Drake.
Q: What makes you different from any other player when you're on the court?
A: I'm always smiling, but I also know when to take things seriously. When someone else on the court is down, I know how to get them excited again.
Q: How would you like your teammates to view you?
A: As a happy person. I like having everyone around me happy. I want them to know that if they're down they can come to me to pick them back up.
Q: How do you think Auburn will prepare you for life after volleyball?
A: When I was deciding where to go to college, I would ask people in my life about choosing between Auburn and other schools and they would always say Auburn because of how focused they are on school. They also reminded me that the Auburn Family will always be there for me no matter what. I feel like having that much support will help me in the future.
