Phoenix, Arizona – August 1, 2022 – It runs in the family.
 
Grand Canyon University Club Sports student-athletes Aidan Mackey and Taylor Fleming both grew up surrounded by athletes, making their time as top-level performers in their respective sports all but inevitable. They have both demonstrated what it looks like to be a student-athlete – on the court and around the net as well as the classroom – which is why they've been honored as GCU Club Sports July Student-Athletes of the Month.
 
Taylor Fleming – Women's Club Volleyball
 
Three years ago, she had put away the volleyball jersey.
 
Today, Taylor Fleming's a national champion, having led the Grand Canyon University Women's Club Volleyball team to its second straight National Club Volleyball Federation national title in April.
 
One of only three upperclassmen on the roster, the national championship was a feat even Fleming wasn't sure the Lopes had in them.
 
"I never said it outwardly, but I had almost resigned myself to it being a rebuilding year," said Fleming. "We were a good team, but we needed more time. We played so poorly at the (Mountain West Conference Tournament) in Utah in February. Once we got to nationals, though, the freshmen stood up and said they really wanted to win, and then we played really well."
 
Volleyball was always a family affair for Fleming, since she was the youngest of ten cousins on her father's side of the family, and most of whom played the game. She spent her early years attending the older cousins' matches in her hometown of San Jose, California, and started playing it herself from the 4^th grade on.
 
Always one of the tallest on the team, the 5'10" Fleming has been excelling at every level. From club volleyball in elementary school to three years of varsity volleyball at Valley Christian High School in northern California, the prospect of college ball was perennially a real possibility. That didn't mean she was ready to jump at the chance, though.
 
"From my sophomore year on, everyone was talking to different schools, but I just didn't want to play Division 1 volleyball," said Fleming. "I even stopped played club after my sophomore year of high school, and when I came to GCU, I had pretty much hung it up. When I got here, though, and heard about open gyms for club, I decided to come out, and I loved it."
 
Set to graduate from GCU this coming April, Fleming has put her major of Communications to good use as a team leader.
 
"I balance my leadership between being your friend and getting to know you, but then earning your respect to hold you accountable," said Fleming. "Coach (Kris) Naber sets that precedent as well. I've never had a coach before that I wanted to be friends with, but I enjoy coming to practice, giving her a hug, then having her put us to work."
 
After graduation, Fleming plans to move back home to NorCal and go to graduate school to become a speech pathologist. That makes her senior year with the Lopes that much more important to enjoy.
 
"Growing up, club volleyball was so cutthroat, and while I understood why, it didn't make for the most enjoyable experience. Something I love about GCU is the great atmosphere of competitiveness and fun. I'm REALLY going to miss volleyball when I'm done."
 
Aidan Mackey – Club Roundnet

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone from GCU Club Roundnet captain Aidan Mackey's hometown of Las Cruces, New Mexico who didn't think Mackey would grow up to become an all-star athlete. Surrounded by siblings who would go on to play college sports themselves, Mackey was always looking for ways to be competitive.

"Playing three different varsity sports in high school while managing other responsibilities was a tough balance," Mackey said. "I loved every second of it, though."

Mackey discovered Roundnet during his freshman year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, where he again found himself quickly becoming competitive.

"After I transferred to GCU, I got a call from Devon Mitchell, the team captain before myself," said Mackey. "He said he had seen me play [against GCU] and immediately started investing in me to become the next head coach/captain."

Being comfortable with leadership allowed Mackey to fit right in as the captain of the GCU squad, and the team experienced a lot of growth under his leadership – even hosting a massive tournament of their own this year featuring teams from five different states.

Along with the growth of the program came a great deal of success, as the team was able to qualify for nationals and later medal, having a pair of athletes (Mackey and fellow senior Reese Anderson) place second in the top individual division in Raleigh, North Carolina this year.

In addition to the success around the net, Mackey says that the community that has been built by GCU Roundnet is like none other.

"As someone who commuted to college, a community could've been difficult to find," said Mackey. "This team quickly became my friends and family. I've loved serving these people for the last two years."

Mackey, recently graduating from GCU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, will move on from his role in Club Roundnet, though he isn't done with the sport yet. Placing amongst the top teams at the Spikeball Series Seattle Tour Stop this year earned Mackey a spot in the Spikeball Premier Division, making him a top 1% player and providing him access to best-of-the-best competitions, where he hopes to continue to find time to compete.

Regarding the family that he's leaving behind: Mackey knows that they're set up for success.

"It's been a lot of hard work to get to where the team is at now, and this year was especially groundbreaking," said Mackey. "All the pieces are in place for the new leadership team to take the club to greater heights moving forward, and I'm confident that they will."