Community Voices
Volleyball is more than a game—it’s a community. Community Voices highlights the stories of athletes who inspire, break barriers, and shape the future of the sport. At Volley Life, we believe that representation, inclusion, and opportunity matter. By sharing these journeys, we celebrate resilience, diversity, and the power of belonging—because when every player feels seen and supported, the game grows stronger for everyone.
A Toast to Chico - The Mayor of Bradford Beach
For those of you who have frequented Bradford Beach over the years, you probably recognize a number of the people in this photo. One of them, the man standing in the black shirt, was Chico, and he was a staple at Bradford Beach. He spent many mornings sitting on a folding chair next to his car in the west parking lot and subsequent afternoons at the tiki huts, watching the volleyball and joking with the bartenders. He was warm, quick to laugh, and frequently offered his help to set up the beach, helping to lay the foundation for our community.
Where Performance Meets Psychology: Maiah Domask’s Approach to Athlete Support
Maiah Domask is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, along with a certificate in Mental Performance Consulting. Originally from Waupun, Wisconsin, Maiah is a former multi-sport athlete who played college basketball at UW–Platteville. Her personal experiences as an athlete, coach, and advocate for mental health have fueled her passion for helping others navigate the mental side of performance. From coaching youth sports to working with athletes across high school and collegiate levels, Maiah brings a teammate-first, person-centered approach to her work. She’s currently training for several half-marathons, finds joy in running, and shares life with her cat Zoe—her best friend and biggest source of calm.
Relyea Speller’s Story
My journey was a funny one. I was first introduced to volleyball in 6th grade gym class. Just like handball, I thought this was just a cool sport to play that I didn’t know anything about. Freshman year, 2004 - Nathan Voegel, played at Marquette High School, and he was my neighbor. He transferred to Tosa East. We were shooting hoops in the backyard. He said USA Women’s Indoor was playing China in the Athens Olympics. My jaw was on the floor the whole time I was watching these women play. Most dynamic, athletic, coolest looking thing I’ve ever seen. Nathan said you shouldn’t try out for Tosa East high school in the fall because people would be too good and I wouldn’t make the team. I was a softie back then so I didn’t go tryout.