After Macey Lee, a senior member of the Union University women’s basketball team got her paws on her 500th career rebound in the Lady Bulldogs’ 86-69 win at West Florida on January 11, Olivia Lee got in on this sister act when the sophomore registered her 500th career point one week later in Union’s 77-59 victory over Trevecca Nazarene University.
For their efforts and unique accomplishment Golden Media Group – 101.5 FM, 103.5 FM, 96.5 FM & AM 1310 WDXI recognizes them with MVP awards.
“No clue,” Macey (9.4 average points per game, 3.2 average rebounds per game) said, when asked about rebound No. 500. “I try and attack the ball, go get it and help our team push it in transition.”
A Trinity Christian Academy graduate, Macey Lee transitioned to Union from Samford University – and there is no looking back on her decision.
“I wanted to play for a winning program and a winning coach (Mark Campbell),” Macey said. “Just to be home and around this community is really special … and to play alongside my sister (Olivia) … it’s really fun to be in this atmosphere.”
Olivia (11.3 points per game average, 3.4 average rebounds per game) who also graduated from TCA, shrugged when asked about her milestone of 500 points.
“I go in to help the team … it’s not one player – it’s the whole,” Olivia, a shooting guard/forward said. “I like to be able to help … all you want to do is help the team. It’s amazing to be surrounded by great people. We win games together, celebrate with all my friends, and be together.”
She’s enjoying playing on the same team with Macey as Macey does with her.
“I love playing with her … we’re like best friends,” Olivia said. “Because of our age difference we played one year in high school together, and I wasn’t sure we would play together again, but God moved things around.”
Mark Campbell, who not only coaches the girls, he’s just about known them from the get-go.
“One of the things that’s special about them is they have been coming to (basketball) camp here since they were four years old,” Campbell said. “To coach players who actually grew up in West Tennessee that loves family – one of the things we pride ourselves on in our program is to have a family, a group of people who really enjoy being together.
“They want accountability. They are willing to be coached really hard, because they know they are cared for and Olivia and Macey are great examples of that – it’s what they experience in their home.
“They are both competitors and I think they have squeezed everything out of basketball they possibly (can) … some people get used by sports, but both have used sports really well and leveraged it to get the most out of it – to get an education and give their best effort, not just in basketball, but in everything.
“To be familiar with the (Lee) family, go to church with the family and to coach Macey and Olivia is a real blessing … it’s a privilege to be their basketball coach.”
(PHOTO: Olivia Lee, left, and sister Macey – Union University women’s basketball)
