The phrase "silent assassin" is tossed around throughout sports to label an individual that has an unassuming appearance, but will make an impact, at the exact right moment, that will spark their team to a win. That individual would also be characterized as having a super competitive spirit, loving the game at its fundamental level, and using their instincts to make the difference to forge their team to victory.
Anyone who has ever interacted with Alexis Sunderland wouldn't consider her to be a "silent assassin" on the court, because she is always smiling and pleasant by nature. However, if you watched her in the role of Salem volleyball libero, you would see a different person come to surface. You would see someone that loved to compete to win. Every. Single. Time. Period.
"I have always grown up with a competitive spirit," said Sunderland. "I started in dance at a young age and when I had to compete, I had to completely turn into a more serious person."
That competitive nature reared its head again in her middle school years. "I tried out for my sixth-grade volleyball team and while I didn't make it that year, I did the following year," Sunderland explained. "I went to more camps over that year and learned more about the game. I played jayvee first two years of high school and varsity the final two years. The coach Noemi Rivera played in the county that I played high school in and she was close in our age so she gave us a better understanding of the competitiveness of college.
Sunderland earned her bachelor of science degree in exercise science with a minor in coaching and psychology in May 2020. The next phase of her life is become a physical therapist, but a small bump in the road put a detour into those plans. Sunderland injured her wrist during a clash with Averett on October 1, 2019, forcing her to wear a brace to protect the injury.
Over the summer, she endured an hour-long surgery—both arthroscopic surgery and synovectomy which shaved off the fraying part of her on Triangular FibroCartilage Complex (via arthroscopy) and removed the fluid between her wrist and her ulna. However, the unrelenting Sunderland plans to take the lessons learned from her surgery and turn it into a positive with her future patients.
"I would be able to relate to those with a wrist injury because they go through the surgery and the brutal aspect of it," said Sunderland. "The therapists sometimes can't relate, but with what I have endured I can do so after seeing this first-hand."
Sunderland wears her pride for Salem on her sleeve. She constantly helped out on athletic gamedays with a number of sports, lending a helping hand to Salem Athletic Communications as well as Chelsey Wilson on a number projects. Her school pride, along with her involvement in Salem's Big / Little program, is highly important to Sunderland.
"I still talk to a lot of people on volleyball and having a little (Brooklyn Snow) on the team we keep each other connected daily with stuff about the team," Sunderland explained. "That helps in the connection with the school—being connected with volleyball. That way if something major happens at the school the bond is still the same."
Sunderland spoke about her time at Salem as a student-athlete and made the following remarks:
Name (including maiden name): Alexis Sunderland
Sport(s) played: Volleyball
Year of Graduation: 2020
Degree(s) Earned: Bachelors of Science (Exercise Science, minors: Coaching and Psychology)
What is your fondest sports moment during your career at Salem College?
When someone would get close to beating either their own record or a school record and the team would get together to make or get things for that person to let them know that we are proud of them.
Who was the teammate or coach that inspired you the most while playing at Salem?
Hannah Delcamp, because she would notice when I needed some type of motivation and help me during games and practices.
How has your degree from Salem helped you to achieve success in the business world?
It has helped me build connections with people in the field that I am looking to get a career in and help me build my confidence with these people and in myself.
What team concept(s) have you applied in your business and personal life that have proven beneficial after competing at Salem?
Working with others to get to where you want to get to, confidence building in others and yourself, trust in others and yourself, and communication.
What advice would you give to student-athletes interested in playing at Salem?
Become a family with your team because they will be there for you, even when you least expect it.
What moment did you share/experience with a teammate(s) at Salem that bonded the team forever that season?
Doing karaoke on the bus rides to and from games and doing things outside of school and volleyball that helped everyone see each other for themselves.
What advice did you receive while playing at Salem that you apply to the course of your everyday life?
Don't let them think they can come here and walk all over you.
