Elizabeth Hulett
Elizabeth Hulett (senior), a former outside hitter on the volleyball team, said she became a student coach after competing with Occidental for three years.
Hulett said her decision to step away from playing competitively was due to a severe ankle injury that required emergency surgery.
“Even though I did a lot of physical therapy while I was studying abroad, there was just no way I could have played competitively physically,” Hulett said.
Hulett said despite being unable to play competitively with the volleyball team, she found a new way to continue to be involved with the team as a student coach.
“When I spoke with my coach about how I wouldn’t be able to play, we discussed a few different things,” Hulett said. “Because I’ve been on the team all three years, I know the sport more intimately compared to someone who hasn’t been on the team or a student-athlete before.”
According to Hulett, as a student coach she works closely with the setters on the team during practices, assisting them in developing their skills while continuing to support her former teammates. Hulett said the transition allowed her to see volleyball from a different perspective.
“Sometimes you’re on the court and get really caught up in it,” Hulett said. “I’ve gotten better at reading other team’s plays because I’m more focused on the whole game as opposed to my specific position.”
Hulett said her teammates continued to support her through her recovery, consistently trying to keep her involved in team activities despite her limited mobility. Hulett said stepping away from volleyball competitively did not mean leaving the sport behind completely, but rather exploring a different way to contribute to the team.
“A lot of my life was turned upside down, so it was nice to have some consistency there,” Hulett said. “Everyone was really excited that I would be back coaching as a student coach and still be part of the program.”
Volleyball outside hitter Jasmine Shum (sophomore) said Hulett is often involved with keeping team stats, while always being there for the team and keeping things in check.
“It’s cool to have someone who goes to our school, and to have a different perspective because [Hulett] is a student coach, but then she’s also one of us at the end of the day,” Shum said.
Hulett said she misses competing alongside her teammates, but coaching has allowed her to continue to share success with her former teammates on the sideline.
“It’s sad to not be able to play with them and there’s some girls that I would love to play alongside, but I feel like a proud mother,” Hulett said. “They’re so talented and I’m so proud of them.”
Cynthia Jorsling
Cynthia Jorsling (senior), former midfielder for the women’s soccer team, said she retired from the sport — which she’d played for nearly her entire life — after tearing her ACL twice.
“I’ve always found [soccer] to be a place where I had the most fun,” Jorsling said. “I love to compete.”
Jorsling said her experience with the Occidental women’s soccer team was positive.
“I met all of my closest friends in college on the soccer team,” Jorsling said. “But our relationship is so much more than just soccer. We have a lot in common because of the sport, but also because it is something that we’ve all put so much time [into].”
Jorsling said after returning from her first ACL tear, she felt confident in her knee, but that when it re-tore, her confidence suffered. Jorsling said after completing her rehabilitation and returning to competition during her junior year, she finished the season, but decided it was time to step away from the team.
“There is a mental block with going back into playing at a high level and getting into contact sports again, and the fear of reinjury,” Jorsling said. “I was scared to play again, but I really wanted to prove to myself that I could come back from a second one, so I did. I got to prove to myself that I could do it, so I don’t need to continue doing it.”
Soccer defender/midfielder Sophia Weigt (sophomore) said that in the one season that she played with Jorsling, she was an amazing teammate and leader.
“She worked really hard to recover from her injuries and was a leader on the field and a stellar striker or winger,” Weigt said. “She is still close friends with all the seniors and is a supportive figure [for] all of us.”
Jorsling said student-athletes step away from their sports for many different reasons, including injuries and circumstances outside of their control. Jorsling said conversations about leaving competitive athletics are important because athletes can feel that stepping away from their sports means losing part of their identity.
”Things happen that make you step away from your sport, and it doesn’t take away from who you are,” Jorsling said. “Sometimes it feels like you lost a chunk of yourself, but you’re still whole.”
Contact Sophia Au at aus@oxy.edu
