Wheeling, W. Va. - When you head into college athletics, there is usually an adjustment period for student-athletes as they get used to being away from home and starting a new with new teammates and a new coach. Wheeling Volleyball players Lindsey James and Shelby James still had several of those adjustments to go through, but their bond as twins helped give them someone to fight through these adjustments with as they settled into their new Cardinal community. While their path was not without its struggles, they were able to use their bond to help them both on and off the court as they made their journey to Wheeling. 

"I feel like coming here it was a little more comfortable because we had each other and we room together and everything," said Lindsey James. "She was just that comfortable face that you could talk to about anything." 

Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, the James twins were always very competitive with each other. They shared everything growing up from sports, to friends, to hobbies and they were always very competitive with each other. It led to fighting throughout their younger years, but being involved in so many activities together helped their bond to continue to grow stronger. Despite these early year quarrels, their family helped grow their bond into what it is today. 

"We definitely fought a lot as kids," said Shelby James. "With us, since we were always so close, we always had the same friend group, played the same sports so it took us a while to get along with each other. Our parents would always say, you are going to be best friends one day and we were like 'no we aren't' and now we are." 

Throughout their childhood, sports were always a part of the James twins' childhood as they worked to find a sport that worked for them. They went through several different sports from soccer to tennis but couldn't find their niche. That is when they found Volleyball, where they were able to use their height to their advantage, and they fell in love with the sport. It stuck through their days at Winston Churchill High School and was ultimately the path that led them to Wheeling University. 

"When we were about six, we played soccer, but it didn't last too long because it was too cold out there," said Shelby James. "I feel like when you are growing up you always start off with little sports for like a year before you find out what you actually like, and Volleyball was the only one, we stuck with that actually lasted longer than one season." 

"I think it was just our height," added Lindsey James. "Growing up we were always tall, and it was either basketball or volleyball and we never played basketball. Volleyball is just the one that stuck for us." 

Both girls would continue their love of volleyball into high school, playing as four-year members of the Winston Churchill High School Volleyball team. They started out as members of the Charger's JV teams, but by their junior year, both players progressed to varsity and were part of successful teams. Together, the girls helped lead the Chargers to the Regional semifinals during their junior season, and the team held a 46-18 record over their two years as members of the varsity team. 

When the time came to make the move to college, the girls hit the recruiting trail hard as they looked for their next step. Both knew that they wanted to continue their volleyball careers and they were sending emails to coaches almost daily. That is when they got in touch with Wheeling University and formed an immediate connection with the program. 

"We had the recruiting program Sports Recruits, and our dad would make us send a bunch of emails a day to schools," said Lindsey James. "Then Christy [Benner] reached out to me over the phone and we had a conversation and I told her I had a twin. She said that she loved twins and loves the family aspect of it. Then, I gave her Shelby's phone number and they talked and then we came on a visit." 

"We committed on our visit," added Shelby James. "We got to see the campus and visit with the girls, and we talked to our parents, and they said, 'are you sure you want to do this?' We were like yes, they were all saying it's a family community and a family aspect, and even though it's so far Christy is like our second mom, and she looks out for everyone. We kind of fell in love with the campus and it made our decision easy." 

Since joining the Wheeling Volleyball team, the James twins have continued to be a part of several successful teams. In their three seasons, the Cardinals have won three Mountain East Conference (MEC) titles while making the NCAA DII Atlantic Regional Tournament in each of those three seasons. Both twins have seen playing time during their run with the Cardinals and embrace the competition they have been able to see on the court as they continue to get better. 

"It's nice because you always have someone to look up to on the team," said Shelby James. "I love having someone that I'm trying to strive to be as good as or try to be better than. It always helps you work harder when you have a team that makes you push yourself." 

This past season, both Lindsey and Shelby saw increased playing time as they gained experience on the court. Lindsey James made her first three career starts and set a new career-high with 32 kills and an average of 2.00 kills/set while hitting .397. Shelby James also saw action in two matches, picking up two kills and 2.0 blocks during her time on the court. As both continue to see more and more playing time, they are excited for the opportunity to cheer on each other's success. 

"It makes it exciting whenever one of us goes in, like when Lindsey goes in to be able to see that and watch it," said Shelby James. "I just like to cheer for my sister." 

"I feel like it would be a lot different [if I didn't have a twin]." added Lindsey James. "Like I said before we always talk to each other, and I feel like there are some things I can say to her that I wouldn't say to anyone else. On the court we get really competitive with each other, and I feel like I wouldn't get like that with anyone else." 

As they head into their senior year, the pair will continue being there and supporting each other as they try to help lead the Cardinals back to the conference and regional stage. To other twins out there going through their sports journey together, the James twins offer the message to stick together through thick and thin and you will come out stronger because of it. 

"I would say always stick together," said Lindsey James. "I know it can be hard, but in the end, you always have your person with you."