As a graduate student majoring in business law and an outside hitter for the women’s volleyball team, Alexa completed her career as one of the most decorated athletes in program history, despite suffering a profound personal loss.

On May 12, 2024, Alexa lost her mother, Cathy Lumb-Edwards—a former Pacific volleyball standout and NCAA championship-winning coach—after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

As she stepped into her final season, bearing the weight of her grief and the legacy of a legend, Alexa played in memory of her mother. Alexa led the West Coast Conference (WCC) in kills, became both Pacific’s and the WCC’s all-time rally-scoring era kills leader, and earned 2024 WCC Player of the Year honors. Beyond the accolades, her journey was marked by quiet bravery and emotional endurance.

Navigating the mental toll of such a personal loss while continuing to lead her team required Alexa to lean deeply into her support system—teammates, coaches, and friends who became her second family. She learned to honor her pain without letting it define her, turning moments of heartbreak into fuel on the court. Her mother’s words—passion and purpose—became daily mantras, guiding her play and her path forward.

Alexa’s story is a testament to the transformative power of mental resilience. In honoring her mother’s legacy, she became a symbol of hope and strength—not just for her team, but for any student-athlete facing grief, loss, or adversity. Through vulnerability, courage, and community, Alexa has shown that healing and greatness can coexist, and that mental wellness is a journey worth fighting for.

“I miss my mom every day, but at the same time, I just step on the court trying to honor her in the best way I can. She was big on two things I carry with me when I play—passion and purpose,” Edwards said.