La Crosse, Wis. - Kayla Sexton recorded six kills, two blocks, and nine digs in the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse volleyball team's final match of the 2024 season, a loss to UW-Eau Claire that closed out a 6-24 campaign. Sexton, in her sophomore season, played in 78 sets across 20 matches, a significant increase in playing time from her freshman season.

Still, the team's season was disappointing overall, marking the program's lowest win total since a pair of seven-win seasons in 2009 and 2011. That's why, after the Eagles' remarkable turnaround in 2025, winning 20-plus games for the first time since 2021, it was clear that a change had been made.

"First of all, I just feel like we were having a lot of fun," said Sexton regarding the previous season. The junior led the Eagles in kills, was second in digs, and helped the program earn its first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (WIAC) Tournament berth in four years and first tournament win in nearly a decade against UW-Platteville.

"Everyone was really in it to play for each other," said Sexton. "That's why I feel like we found a lot of success, because we weren't always the biggest team, or had the tallest girls, the strongest girls, but we genuinely just had fun together and wanted to do it together."

Sexton, who will graduate one year early this May with a degree in psychology, gives a lot of credit to her teammates, both past and present. The St. Cloud, Minnesota native talked about the process of coming to La Crosse originally in 2023. "The team was so awesome, because we got here two-and-a-half weeks before everybody else, almost three weeks. So, just coming in and hanging out with the team all day, everyday, right away, it was so helpful.

"I feel like, if I had transitioned in and not had that support right away or not had those people that felt like family, it would have been really hard for me." 

Sexton mentioned one teammate in particular, Brianne Korducki. A senior during Sexton's first season at UWL, Korducki led the team in kills and digs in both 2022 and 2023, in addition to earning WIAC Honorable Mention accolades in each of those seasons. Her impact, however, was also observed off the court.

"She helped me all the time on the bus," noted Sexton. "I wouldn't get something and she would sit down and walk me through it, help me study for exams. That was awesome, because, even though I was missing class to travel, I still had somebody who was helping me through it."

Every collegiate student-athlete must learn to balance their academic and athletic endeavors. In December of 2025, Sexton was one of three UWL volleyball players selected as members of the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team®, alongside Taylor Larson and Grace Nommensen. The honor recognizes the nation's top student-athletes who excel in both their respective sports and in the classroom.

Having teammates to learn from is important. It's also important that, in order for a student-athlete to succeed, they have the right resources surrounding them and a solid foundation beneath them. Sexton reiterated this sentiment when I asked her about her time as a collegiate athlete: "I feel like we get a lot of support from the administration. We get to block off the second half of our day for practices and mornings for lifts. I would also say that a lot of the professors here are super supportive – like Dr. Zabel from the psychology department.

"If I had to miss class because of a game or anything like that, he was always just like, 'Come into my office hours, I'll help you with the notes. I'll help you through everything.' So, that was huge for me, too, just having supportive professors."

Sexton's academic route will be coming to an unorthodox close, as she plans on graduating following the conclusion of the spring semester. This unfortunately means that she will have to forfeit her senior season despite having her best season yet, but will be able to pursue her future endeavors starting this summer. So, while Sexton will not be suiting up for the Eagles in 2026, she is excited about the trajectory of the program, citing a large incoming class of freshmen and several returning starters as reasons why.

When I asked UWL Head Coach Deb Sazama about Sexton's season, she made sure to thank the early graduate for what may be in store for the program's immediate future. "Kayla had an immense impact on our season, as did all of our seniors," said Sazama, including how Sexton had been chosen by her teammates as one of two recipients of the Eagle Award, alongside Larson. The award is given to leaders of the team who show.a relentless work ethic, putting teammates first, owning their mistakes, an unwavering commitment to the program, their teammates and coaches.

"Kayla and her class have changed the trajectory of our program, and I will forever be grateful," added Sazama. "The volleyball team will return to the court this summer, looking to capitalize on what was their most successful season since 2017.