Aiyana

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

She loves being able to express herself through her effort, determination, and the way she plays. She loves her teammates, the friendships she’s built, and being part of something bigger than herself. She thrives on the intensity of competition—the aggression, drive, and challenge of pushing herself to get better every time she steps on the field. She loves learning, competing, and giving everything she has. Her heart is on a field, and that’s where she feels most like herself.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Her dad inspires her most, on and off the field. He has taught her that talent only takes you so far—effort, determination, heart, and what you do when things get hard are what define you. He pushes her to believe in herself, compete fearlessly, and never settle for less than her best. Whether she has the game of her life or one she’d rather forget, she knows he’ll be there—her biggest supporter, toughest coach, and the person always reminding her what she’s capable of.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

One of my proudest moments has been watching her lose an entire team around her and still choose to keep playing. When everything familiar disappeared, she could have walked away, but instead she chose to start over, meet new teammates, and build something new. It showed me that her love for the game isn’t tied to a team name or uniform. She chooses the field, even when choosing it means starting over.