Poet Volleyball Has a Secret Weapon: The Kusleika Sisters
The Whittier Women’s Volleyball team is on a roll, showing no signs of slowing down. The team currently holds a 15–11 record overall, with 11 of those wins coming from conference games (11–5 conference record). On top of that, they were on a six-game winning streak prior to the last game of the regular season. The sister duo of Analise Kusleika (Junior) and Brenna Kusleika (Freshman) are part of why this team is so hard to beat. The sisters have been critical players for the Poets this season and can be seen as one of the main contributors to the team’s success thus far, making strides on and off the court. They have certainly set the tone for the season, proving to be a problem for any opponent they face, standing at 6’2” and 6' 3". Their friendly and welcoming demeanor contrasts with the killer mentality they reveal on the court. Analise continues to represent both her high school, Claremont, and her hometown, Upland, as well. Brenna strives to do the same while also setting herself apart and embracing independence as she takes on new beginnings and looks to contribute in her own way through her unique skill set.
According to Analise, the two found their love for volleyball in very different ways, and the work and preparation to get to where they are now started years ago. Analise states, “I didn’t make my seventh-grade team, and honestly, I started to get better out of spite. So, I practiced with the club so that I could make my eighth-grade team, which I did.” With a chip on her shoulder, Analise was able to unlock a competitive drive, taking this winning mentality to the next level.
Brenna, on the other hand, was a gifted soccer player, and volleyball had only sometimes been in her plans for the future. “She was a soccer player for a really long time and a really good one, too,” Analise explains. After Brenna made both the seventh and eighth-grade teams, she decided to sacrifice her original passion for soccer to prioritize her interest in volleyball.
Overall, Analise has found enjoyment in watching her younger sister follow in her footsteps and find success on the court, mentioning that it has ultimately brought them closer together and has been a driving force for resolving moments of conflict between the two, considering they play the same position. The legacy of athletics runs in the family, with their parents both having played sports at the University of La Verne. Their support and encouragement led the two to set their sights on college volleyball. For Analise, the choice to attend Whittier was an easy one. “Getting an opportunity to play together, truly together, for a whole two years was really appealing to both of us,” she explains.
While Brenna’s recruiting process was a bit more prolonged, she eventually decided on Whittier for multiple reasons. “It ultimately led me to the SCIAC, which is super competitive. It is almost one of the most competitive conferences in this entire country for volleyball. That means I got the high level of play and amazing team aspect while also being able to have hobbies on the side and not making it a job, which was very appealing to me. And it just happens that it’s close to home where my sister was,” says Brenna.
Since becoming a Poet, Analise has carried many lessons from playing volleyball into other parts of her life. Trusting herself, self-confidence, leadership, and self-awareness are just a few noted by Analise, as she proudly states while smiling, “It’s funny how you work on it in one aspect of your life, and it serves you in all of them.” These lessons have helped in her decision to pursue a major in child development after initially having doubts that she was following her own path, not just the path her parents desired for her. Finally, she came to the realization that she should pursue something she’s a natural at and enjoys; “it doesn’t matter if somebody else did it before me.”
Brenna, however, is still navigating her first year as a Poet, finding growth and independence through the new responsibilities that come with the college experience. In comparison to her new life as a first-year living on her own and balancing what’s expected on the court at a collegiate level, she expands that, “You’re kind of on your own. The same goes for volleyball; I’ve never competed at a level where you don’t get a ton of sympathy. You can figure out anything if you try instead of shying away when it gets too tough.” Annalise is ready to help Brenna gain this independence after already experiencing two years in the dorms and recently moving off campus. Her approach has been to support Brenna and ask if she needs anything rather than stepping in and doing it for her. So far, Analise’s support has been proven effective, with Brenna explaining with confidence and conviction, “I did lean on Analise when necessary, but I still felt like I was my separate entity. I kind of made my own path and my own direction without always being the little sister.” In terms of goals and aspirations, the consensus between the two sisters was to beat the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS), a team that had been undefeated for years until they recently lost to La Verne. After Whittier won against Occidental by a score of 3–0 on Oct. 27, the Poets then went on to accomplish the great feat of taking down CMS. The momentum continued as they defeated the University of Redlands Halloween and later got the best of Pomona-Pitzer. These games were a similar story, all coming in 3–0 victories, leaving their opponents scoreless. Despite the loss that had closed out the 2023 season to La Verne on Nov. 4, the team’s outstanding run got the recognition they hoped for and deserved. They were named in the NCAA Division III regional rankings, coming in at the seventh spot in Region X, five years after their last mention in 2018. The team also qualified for post-season play, with plans to eliminate CMS in the semifinals approaching.
As far as personal goals go for Analise, winning games and feeling good about how the team gets the job done remains her top priorities. Brenna builds on Analise’s statements, sharing her goals to “Play well and hopefully get recognition for it. If I play well enough to get recognition, it means that I’m doing something right, and I thrive off of that sometimes.” She is seemingly excited by the possibilities and what the future holds for her. Having the dynamic sister duo on the team brings a new and impactful feature to Poet Women’s Volleyball and has created a unique opportunity for the two to become closer in both their relationship and shared passion for the sport.
Photo Courtesy of Tony Leon / ACTIONWESTPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
