STANFORD, Calif. – Seniors Inky Ajanaku and Kelsey Humphreys will play in their final regular season match at Maples Pavilion on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. against rival California.
Ajanaku (class of 2016) and Humphreys (class of 2017) have combined to win two conference titles and helped lead the Cardinal to its 19th Final Four appearance in 2014, the most by any program in the nation.
The pair took time to reflect on their experiences on The Farm and with the Stanford women's volleyball program.
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Inky Ajanaku • Middle Blocker • Tulsa, Okla.
Looking back, what are some of your favorite memories with Stanford volleyball?
One of my favorite memories is dancing in the locker room after we made it to the Final Four in 2014.
What do you know now that you wish you knew as a freshman?
You can learn from everyone, if you're looking at the right things, and don't pigeon hole yourself. Try and explore things that don't have a specific target because being a generalist will prove to be useful.
What do you think you will miss most about this team?
I think I will miss the how genuinely happy we get for each other when we succeed.
Off the court, what has been the best thing you have experienced at Stanford?
The summer weekends and Kyle's [Gilbert] house, and learning everyone's deepest darkest secrets.
What has been your favorite class at Stanford?
Medical device design: Bioe70q
What will you miss most about being a college student?
The weird costume parties in my friends' dorm rooms, and the late night talks where we all try to make sense of life.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I am hoping to play professionally overseas and keep improving in the national team gym. After volleyball I hope to go to medical school, and work on developing medical devices.
Kelsey Humphreys • Setter • Newport Beach, Calif.
Looking back, what are some of your favorite memories with Stanford volleyball?
My two favorite and most memorable matches that I have played with my team are playing Penn State in the Elite 8 my freshman year and sweeping Nebraska at Nebraska my sophomore year because they are the most electric matches I have every participated in. Really, there is no way I could pinpoint just one memory as my favorite with all of my teammates. Everyday there is something silly going on when we walk in the locker room. I can't imagine ever laughing as much as I do with these girls.
What do you think you will miss most about this team?
I am going to miss all of the little things that make each of my teammates so special... odd... and unique. There hasn't been a day when we haven't broken out in laughter when we are all together. Each of them has truly made my Stanford experience that much better.
What do you know now that you wish you knew as a freshman?
I wish I had been more willing to use the resources we have as Stanford student-athletes. I had always been very independent and wanted to do everything on my own. Now, looking back I realize that taking advantage of all of the resources wouldn't have been such a bad thing.
Off the court, what has been the best thing you have experienced at Stanford?
The best things I have experienced at Stanford are football games and weekend-off campus adventures with my friends.
What has been your favorite class at Stanford?
Art Studio 168 Data as Material, I get to code and use CAD software to create my art projects. It is a really cool intersection between the tech and art world.
What will you miss most about being a college student?
I am for sure going to miss being surrounded by so many amazing and inspiring people. College is an environment when all of your friends are always around and I think I will really miss that when we all go our separate ways after graduation.
What are your plans for after graduation?
The only thing in my sights right now is the national championship. I'll figure out my plans after that ;)