Carly Hendrickson
Photo by: Mac Brown
Hendrickson Receives CalHOPE Courage Award
January 12, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -ย UCLA graduateย Carly Hendricksonย has been selected as one of two December 2025 recipients of the CalHOPE Courage Award, recognizing California college athletes who have demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of personal hardship. Hendrickson is honored alongside Pomona-Pitzer's Kirk Lord.
Presented monthly since February 2022, the CalHOPE Courage Award celebrates student-athletes across the state who have overcome stress, anxiety, and mental trauma connected to significant adversity. Each honoree is also recognized with a donation made in their name to support mental health services.
Hendrickson's journey at UCLA has been defined by perseverance. After transferring from Florida in November 2023, she faced a prolonged battle with a hip injury that ultimately required two surgeries and sidelined her for the entire 2024 season. The extended recovery forced her away from competition for more than a year, a difficult stretch for an athlete whose identity was built on movement, teamwork, and the rhythm of daily training.
Instead of stepping back, Hendrickson chose to stay fully engaged with the program. She attended every practice, remained a steady presence in the gym and locker room, and immersed herself in film study to continue growing her understanding of the game. She found new ways to contribute, staying connected to her teammates and redefining what it meant to compete while unable to take the court.
"There were moments when it felt overwhelming being away from the game for so long. I missed competing, I missed the physical grind, and that was hard mentally," Hendrickson said. "What helped me was staying present every day, finding ways to challenge myself safely, staying around my teammates, and reminding myself that this process was about growth, not just getting back on the court."
Cleared late in the year, Hendrickson returned to action for the 2025 season and played a key role in UCLA's 19-13 campaign, which included a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She appeared in 101 sets across 29 matches as a rotational outside hitter, finishing with 47 kills, 32 digs, 21 blocks, 25 service aces, and 83.5 points. After graduating from UCLA in December, she transferred to Vanderbilt to pursue graduate studies and complete her final season of eligibility.
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ABOUT CalHOPE
CalHOPE is a multi-level campaign run by DHCS to connect people with vital mental health and wellness resources and information to help them navigate during times of crisis. CalHOPE offers critical behavioral health crisis counseling programs and uses a public health approach that is focused on strength-based strategies for building resiliency and connecting people to the support they need. CalHOPE partners with the California Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being to promote the CalHOPE Courage Award.ย CalHOPE resources may be accessed by calling the program's warm line at (833) 317-HOPE (4673) or visitingย www.calhope.org.
ย
Presented monthly since February 2022, the CalHOPE Courage Award celebrates student-athletes across the state who have overcome stress, anxiety, and mental trauma connected to significant adversity. Each honoree is also recognized with a donation made in their name to support mental health services.
Hendrickson's journey at UCLA has been defined by perseverance. After transferring from Florida in November 2023, she faced a prolonged battle with a hip injury that ultimately required two surgeries and sidelined her for the entire 2024 season. The extended recovery forced her away from competition for more than a year, a difficult stretch for an athlete whose identity was built on movement, teamwork, and the rhythm of daily training.
Instead of stepping back, Hendrickson chose to stay fully engaged with the program. She attended every practice, remained a steady presence in the gym and locker room, and immersed herself in film study to continue growing her understanding of the game. She found new ways to contribute, staying connected to her teammates and redefining what it meant to compete while unable to take the court.
"There were moments when it felt overwhelming being away from the game for so long. I missed competing, I missed the physical grind, and that was hard mentally," Hendrickson said. "What helped me was staying present every day, finding ways to challenge myself safely, staying around my teammates, and reminding myself that this process was about growth, not just getting back on the court."
Cleared late in the year, Hendrickson returned to action for the 2025 season and played a key role in UCLA's 19-13 campaign, which included a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She appeared in 101 sets across 29 matches as a rotational outside hitter, finishing with 47 kills, 32 digs, 21 blocks, 25 service aces, and 83.5 points. After graduating from UCLA in December, she transferred to Vanderbilt to pursue graduate studies and complete her final season of eligibility.
ย
ABOUT CalHOPE
CalHOPE is a multi-level campaign run by DHCS to connect people with vital mental health and wellness resources and information to help them navigate during times of crisis. CalHOPE offers critical behavioral health crisis counseling programs and uses a public health approach that is focused on strength-based strategies for building resiliency and connecting people to the support they need. CalHOPE partners with the California Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being to promote the CalHOPE Courage Award.ย CalHOPE resources may be accessed by calling the program's warm line at (833) 317-HOPE (4673) or visitingย www.calhope.org.
ย
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