This season marks the final chapters for a group of senior volleyball players whose chemistry goes beyond the game itself. Over years of playing side by side, seniors Lexi Cummer, Mia Kuboushek, and Sasha Henriksen have built more than just skills, they’ve built a friendship and resilience they hope will inspire future generations long after they’ve left the court.
Most of this year's seniors started playing together six years ago. Three of the girls, Cummer, Kuboushek, and Henriksen, not only played school volleyball together, but also club volleyball until their last season this past summer.
“I think we just know each other very well, since we've been friends and teammates for such a long time, and we know how to trust each other,” Henriksen said. “We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so we're just able to use those to work together and build a stronger team.”
This deep rooted connection between the seniors is evident not only in how they play, but also in how they reflect on their final season. The seniors share this “bittersweet” feeling about playing on the court together one last time.
“It’s exciting to have one last go at it, but it's also really sad that our time is unfortunately coming to an end,” Kuboushek said, “I think, just like being with each other, being in the moment, and not taking anything for granted [will allow us to get the most out of this season].”
Although the seniors' time is coming to an end, it doesn’t take away from the growth and development they have been through. Over the years, their shared experiences, both the highs and the lows, have shaped a bond that goes far beyond the court.
“Going through adversity and hardship together, and playing together for so long has really allowed us to come together as one,“ Kuboushek said. “I think that everybody contributes to the team in such a tremendous way that it really builds the chemistry on and off the court.”
Their trust in each other isn’t just seen in the game, but it’s felt in the rituals and moments that make up the heartbeat of the team. That level of connection doesn't just happen, it’s built through years of playing, growing, and showing up for one another.
“Since we've all been friends for so long, we are able to trust each other more, and know when something's off, and we know how to support each other when things aren't going good,” Cummer said.
The ability to move through adversity together has become second nature for this senior group. From bouncing back from a tough loss or resetting after a rough play, the senior class has learned to lean on each other in both the physical and mental moments of the game.
“Having the mindset of flipping the page and moving on. Our coach always says that every game is a snapshot of our team and not the whole picture,” Kuboushek said. ”We are a very competitive team, that's what really keeps us going, and that's what keeps the drive and the hunger alive.”
As this chapter of Chelsea Volleyball comes to a close, the senior class reflects on the legacy they hope to leave behind, not just in the wins and stats, but in the way they lead and learn. The foundation has been laid, and their impact has been made on and off the court.
“I want that to be the relationship that I leave behind and that they [underclassman] remember me by,” Kuboushek said, “It’s sweet that we've been able to build Chelsea Volleyball for the past four years together but sad that it's coming to an end.”
