Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU: 2-year returning letterwinner....PBC Team of Academic Distinction 2020....254 career digs....Missed first 19 matches of the 2019 campaign with an injury....Third on the squad in total receptions (181) and fifth on the squads in digs per set (1.85)....Appeared in 25 of 28 matches as a freshman and made 5 starts....5th on the team in digs per set (2.17)....Registered a .969 serving percentage....Four matches with double-figure digs (including season-high 31 vs Queens University of Charlotte on Aug. 25, 2018)....Thrilled to add another South Carolina player to our roster....Is familiar with Francis Marion and has bought into our program goals....Has the most unbelievable tenacity for defense....Will never be a time that you will not see her throw her body on the floor to make sure the ball doesn't fall....Understands her role as a defensive specialist and libero so well that she helped bring the first-ever state championship to Myrtle Beach High School....Will impact our defense the second she walks in....Do not be fooled by her small stature, she is aggressive and will not let anyone stand in the way of her team's goals....Chi Alpha Sigma national college athlete honor society....Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award 2020, 2021....Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll 2019, 2021....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2018 (fall), 2019 (spring, fall), 2020 (spring, fall), 2021 (spring).....Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) 2020-21.

PERSONAL:

• Born Alexis Hope Watts in Freehold, N.J.
• A graduate of the Academy for Arts, Science, and Technology where she was a pre-med major
• Played for Myrtle Beach High School and coach Larry Church
• Has been the Seahawks team captain each of the past two years – both of which resulted in a combined 57-9-3 record, two state title match appearances, and the 2017 state championship
• Also played three seasons at Carolina Forest High School
• Played with the Grand Strand Juniors club program
• Nickname is Big Lexi

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• How you got your nickname: I’m tall, plus there is an incomer named Lexi
• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: Surgeon
• Favorite Superhero: Hulk
• Favorite Athlete: Alyssa Hansen
• Favorite Sports Team: Carolina Panthers
• Favorite Movie or TV Show: Benchwarmers
• Favorite Food:  Buffalo Chicken dip and grilled cheese
• Favorite Vacation Spot:  Sanibel Island, FL
• Twitter Handle: @alexiswatts20
• Instagram Account: @alexis_watts2
• Your Motivation Music: County
• Favorite Thing About FMU: Alyssa Hansen
• Favorite Off-Field Activity: Going to the beach
• Goals for Upcoming Season: PBC champions
• Why you chose your sport: My older sister was playing it and I wanted to give it a try
• The biggest mental challenge to improving faster: Pushing through and giving it my all when things are tough
• Interesting Notes: Was a dive mermaid at Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC; I have a great dane that’s taller than me
• Brush With Greatness: Living with Alyssa Hansen; meeting Cole Swindell