Henry Ford College Hawks hosted Schoolcraft College Ocelots on Oct. 8.

The Henry Ford College Hawks Volleyball team continues to rebuild by stressing incremental successes and building team chemistry.

In her third season as head coach, Kija Chambers is learning to work with a changing roster at a two-year college. “I think one of the biggest things that we do in terms of our players is to advocate for themselves, simply because they’re out of high school, so we don’t want them to rely on their parents because they’re going out into the real world,” Chambers explained. “Myself and Coach A [Arielle Fox], we try to make it an environment where they feel comfortable coming to us, even when it comes to things like figuring out what’s next with their life.”

Chambers returned to her alma mater in 2022, marking both her first time coaching at the college level and a homecoming of sorts. A Farmington Hills native, she played volleyball at HFC in 2009 before transferring to Siena Heights University. Her coaching journey has a deeply personal origin. When her best friend, Erinn Phillips, who had introduced her to volleyball, passed away in 2009, Chambers stepped away from sports. “Something was missing, so I started going to my old AAU coaches’ practices, and I fell in love with coaching,” she recalled. In December 2021, she earned a diversity award from the American Volleyball Association.

Observing the team before their game, the bond between players is immediately visible. Voices rise in laughter, players communicate freely, and the energy reflects a deep friendship. This isn’t just a team; it’s a family.

After opening with a decisive 3-0 victory, the Hawks have faced a couple of tough games. “So far, everything’s been going here and there. It’s like a roller coaster,” said sophomore Sydney. “But everything has been going pretty high.” She noted that the opening win showcased “mainly more communication, more people willing to work, and just overall great energy.”

For sophomore Delanie, who joined the team last year, the family atmosphere is what defines the Hawks. “I think the atmosphere is really good. I feel like we’re one big family. We fight and cry and everything together, but at the end of the day, we still love each other. We’re still family,” she said.

Sophomore Gracie, also in her second year, has noticed significant growth. “I feel like we definitely have a better bond than we did last year, so it’s nice to know that we all have each other’s back,” she said. When asked how the team stays motivated through losses, she explained: “We just have to talk to each other. If we lose, we lose, and we have to move past it. We can’t dwell on it. If we dwell on it, then we’re not gonna do well.”

Sophomore Malia, who is in her third semester, appreciates the supportive environment. “I really enjoy it. I’m very comfortable here, and I enjoy being around everyone,” she said. She plans to complete two more semesters of prerequisites before transferring to Wayne State University.

Coach Chambers reinforces this mindset by celebrating progress, not just victories. “I know a lot of times when you lose, you typically point out the bad stuff, but I also like to point out the good stuff,” she said. “If there were things that we’ve been working on, and yeah, maybe we didn’t win, but we’ve been working on it, and now you finally got it. Making sure that we highlight the successes, even if overall it wasn’t a success, because eventually those small successes are going to turn into overall successes.”

This philosophy reflects Chambers’ broader vision for the program, creating a place where young women can be successful both on and off the court. Already, several players are planning their next steps. Jade, who joined last year and is transferring next semester, is considering physical therapy and hopes to go out of state. Gracie is still deciding where and whether she’ll transfer to play volleyball, as she’s currently studying liberal arts.

Chambers takes pride in creating an environment where players feel comfortable discussing their futures. “We care about them more than just as athletes; we care about them as people,” she said. “One of the things I always like to hear from new recruits is, ‘Oh, I felt so welcomed by your team.’”

In her 13 years of coaching, Chambers says this is the first time she’s seen everyone on a team interact with each other, at one point or another. “They’re a great group of girls. They all have their different personalities that we all enjoy.”

For the Hawks, success isn’t measured solely in wins and losses, but in the communication, the encouragement, and the growth both on and off the court. Through every high and low of the season, one thing remains constant: their chemistry keeps them fighting together as one.

The Hawks will host Jackson College for the final home game of the season tonight at 7 p.m. at the gym in building H. The Hawks won their last meeting at Jackson.