Since November 2023 when she transferred from the University of Florida to UCLA, Carly has been tested both physically and emotionally. What began as a lingering hip issue during her sophomore season, eventually required surgery. That expected single procedure soon became two, forcing the Cincinnati, Ohio native to miss the entire 2024 season and spend more than a year away from competition. For an athlete whose identity was rooted in movement, teamwork, and competition, the extended absence from the court took a significant toll on her mental health.

Rather than withdrawing, Carly made a conscious choice to stay engaged. She attended every practice, remained a steady presence in the gym and locker room, and immersed herself in film study to deepen her understanding of the game. She found new ways to compete, challenging herself mentally, staying connected to her teammates, and redefining what contribution looked like when she couldn’t play.

“There were moments when it felt overwhelming being away from the game for so long. I missed competing, I missed the physical grind, and that was hard mentally,” said Carly. “What helped me was staying present every day, finding ways to challenge myself safely, staying around my teammates, and reminding myself that this process was about growth, not just getting back on the court.”

Cleared to return late in the year, Carly carried that growth into the 2025 season helping the Bruins to a 19-13 record including 128- in the conference and into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.  For the year she appeared in 101 sets in 29 matches as a rotational outside hitter.  She finished the year with 47 kills on 168 attempts, hitting .083, while adding 32 digs, 21 total blocks, placed second on the team with 25 service aces and 83.5 points.  Following her graduation from UCLA in December, Carly transferred to Vanderbilt University to continue her studies and complete her final year of eligibility for the Commodores.