It wasn’t that long ago, however, that she had other things diverting her attention— namely her mother’s fight against breast cancer and her own battle to come back from a knee injury.
Her mother, Kellie, is now cancer free after the diagnosis three years ago, but Karsyn said it is a day she will never forget when she learned the news.
“My mom and I are very close. It’s just me and her in the house. We do everything together. My mom’s my best friend,” she said. “It was hard because we had a lot of stuff going on in our life and we weren’t sure if she was going to be healthy again or not.”
About a year ago they got the results that her mom was cancer-free.
“It made me feel very grateful for the days that we were going to have in our future,” Karsyn said.
Meanwhile, Karsyn experienced her own setback when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament playing club volleyball in March of 2024. She was in rehabilitation for 10 months before being cleared to play again in January of 2025.
She said watching her mother, who also played volleyball in high school, and her battle inspired her.
“I watched her persevere through the battle with cancer and continue to go through everyday life and act as if everything was normal, and she showed up for me through it all,” Karsyn said. “And so, her strength made me realize that I must be strong for myself too.
“Her battle was much bigger than a knee injury, and I realized if she could get through that I can get through anything I was going through.”
Ladycats assistant coach Natalie Gonzales said while Karsyn was unable to physically be on the court, she led the bench as “that loud voice we needed to support the girls on the court.”
“Karsyn has been such a good leader for us this year and last,” Gonzales said. “It’s funny how as a player you see the game one way and as a coach your perspective changes from the sidelines. Karsyn has gotten to see the game both ways these last two years, and I really feel it has helped her game a ton.
“She is just such a steady kid who is there for all of her teammates all the time. I have loved being able to be a part of her journey. She has grown so much.”
Karsyn said the injury also brought a renewed appreciation for playing, particularly with this being her senior year.
“I realized I am not in control of how much time I have left on the court and that every moment was precious,” she said. “I learned patience and a lot more aspects of the game.”
The Ladycats are ranked No. 2 in the state after having reached the Class 5A Division I state semifinals last season. They’ve advanced that far before, but the program is still chasing its first state championship.
She does not plan to play in college. A National Honor Society student, her plans are to study pre-nursing.
“I want to help others,” she said simply.
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