In a season in which Sagehen teammates Chloe Gill ’25 and Kellan Hayes ’25 set respective program records for career kills and blocks, the two say no moment this volleyball season topped what they did together on senior night.
In five sets, for the first time in more than a decade, snapping a 21-match losing streak to the Athenas.
“The emotion from beating CMS was unlike anything we’ve experienced,” Hayes says. “Definitely the highlight of our collegiate careers.”
“Everything felt electric,” Gill recalls. “We felt so much love from not only our family and teammates, but the Sagehen community, from Pomona-Pitzer. Everyone on the team gave it their all. The win was more special than anything we could’ve asked for.”
Teammates since their first year at Â鶹´«Ă˝, Gill and Hayes set career marks this season.
In October, in the rally scoring era (1999-present). Two weeks later, , making her the program leader in all three blocking categories.
“Gilly and Kellan joined us and brought a high level of competitiveness to the team immediately,” longtime Coach Valerie Townsend says. “It has been an absolute pleasure watching them grow as volleyball players and human beings. They have really embraced their leadership roles, and I couldn’t be prouder of the strong individuals they have become.”
Personal accolades aside, Gill and Hayes take great pride in how they balanced academic and athletic commitments while at Pomona.
Gill, a psychological science major by way of Oak Park, Illinois, leaned on routines she developed as a high school athlete to stay on track in college. She prioritized taking classes she found interesting and realized that while “the classroom can be very challenging, everyone’s figuring out their own way,” she says.
“Whatever path you’re on, whatever rate you’re going at, it’s going to figure itself out if you continue to do your best.”
Hayes, a biology major on the pre-med track, similarly relied on tried methods to keep up with her responsibilities. Being a student-athlete leaves little time or incentive to procrastinate, she says, “especially in season because you have to lock in all the time.”
The two value the relationships they’ve built with professors, current teammates, former Sagehens and peers over the years. With a village behind them, Gill and Hayes say they now have the tools to pursue careers in their respective fields.
“Everyone here is so kind and accommodating,” Hayes says. “No one is trying to one-up each other. With the support of professors and advisors, you’re able to lean on them when you’re having doubts. Sometimes them telling you that you deserve to be here is all it takes.”
As they reflect on their time as Sagehens, Gill and Hayes hope they’ve created a space where athletes can bond over a common love of volleyball and find success on and off the court.
They’ve done so these past four years, and while their respective career records demonstrate individual brilliance, the two say it’s no surprise their crowning moment as Sagehens happened alongside their teammates.
“We both came in our first year wanting to do well and make the most of our time here,” Gill says. “It’s great that Kellan and I can both leave our mark on the program—not only statistically, but also as teammates.”
“Coming in from high school,” Hayes adds, “I knew I wanted to leave an impact on the program. I was hoping to leave a mark, and I’m happy I’ve been able to do that.”
The Sagehens play Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Roberts Pavilion in the semifinals of the SCIAC Tournament.