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Overcoming adversity off the court and breaking records on the court, sky casino genting volleyball standout Alexa Edwards ’24 was honored with the CalHOPE Courage Award this month.

The award, presented monthly to a male and female student-athlete from California colleges and universities, recognizes student-athletes who have overcome stress, anxiety and mental trauma associated with personal hardships and adversity.

Prior to her final season as a Tiger in the fall of 2024, the business law graduate student lost her mother Cathy Lumb-Edwards ’84, a former Pacific volleyball standout and NCAA Championship-winning coach, after a long battle with cancer.

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

“Like many of players in our program, she has had to face adversity and many other challenges in her career with us at Pacific and continues to move forward, grow and continue to be the leader that she is both on and off the court,” Head Coach Greg Gibbons said.

Navigating the mental toll of such a personal loss while continuing to lead her team required Edwards to lean deeply into her support system, which included 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.

“She has led a Hall of Fame career at Pacific. She has honored her mother by competing and leading with passion and purpose, just as her mother did throughout her life,” Gibbons said. “Her mother was a very close friend. Every day I watch Alexa, I can see her mom’s spirit, focus and energy in everything she does—in the way she competes and the way she handles herself in the classroom and with her team.”

Her mother’s words—passion and purpose—became daily mantras, guiding her play and her path forward.

“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.

In addition to the recognition, a donation from  will be made on behalf of all honorees to support on-campus mental health services. Edwards has elected to make her donation to Pacific Athletics to aid Sport Therapist  in upcoming mental health projects and initiatives.

“Alexa is resilience personified. I am so proud of her determination to live on her mother’s legacy while developing one of her own. Her work ethic shines in every facet of her life, and she embodies what this award signifies,” Bradley said.