Beach volleyball’s Devon Newberry receives her team’s support after being injured
Senior Devon Newberry celebrates. Newberry collected the dual point off a service ace in the Bruins’ final regular season contest against Loyola Marymount. (Jack Stenzel/Daily Bruin staff)
By Rahaf Abumansour
April 25, 2023 2:05 p.m.
Two injuries were not enough to stop Devon Newberry from doing what she loves most: supporting her team and playing beach volleyball.
The senior from Santa Monica, who is described by her teammates as humorous, energetic, caring and fun, endured a tumultuous year featuring two shoulder injuries. After an extensive recovery period, the senior is once again back on the sand ahead of the Pac-12 championships and NCAA tournament.
The Santa Monica native’s journey began in October of last year when she tore her labrum, followed by surgery and rehab in June in preparation for the start of the 2023 season.
After rehabilitating her injury for seven months, Newberry started the 2023 season ready to play, but fate had other plans. In the Bruin’s match against USC on March 5, Newberry injured her shoulder for the second time in a year. The Bruins began with a 2-0 lead, with Newberry teaming up with freshman Maggie Boyd. They rallied to win the set, with an injured Newberry forced to play the remainder of it. Despite her efforts, the Bruins ultimately were defeated by their crosstown rivals in their first loss of the season.
“I went up to swing the ball, and I heard a huge crack,” Newberry recalled. “I called a medical timeout right away and finished that game playing with my left hand. As soon as the ball hit the ground, I fell to the floor and cried.”
In an emotional video, the entire team rallied around one another, giving Newberry and everyone a supportive hug.
“That night, I had never been so overwhelmed with support from the entire UCLA and beach volleyball community,” Newberry said. “I felt like a superstar.”
After Newberry tore two other parts of her shoulder that night, it seemed like the end. But the senior went back to physical therapy the next day, waiting for the chance to play again. According to graduate student Jaden Whitmarsh, Newberry’s dual partner, her teammate’s experience taught the entire team a lesson in perseverance.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from Devon is how she never gives up,” Whitmarsh said. “She knew what to expect from recovery, and she just ground and put her head down and knew what she wanted and worked hard.”
According to coach Stein Metzger, the senior, known to be a prolific hitter, needed to adapt, focus and hone new skills after her injury. So, the Bruins started to focus on becoming more well-rounded and finding new ways to score points in lieu of Newberry’s absence.
“When it happened again, she said she only needed a couple of hours to be sad about it and that tomorrow is a new day to get back to work, and that is a true reflection of Devon,” Whitmarsh added.
Saturday, April 8, saw Newberry’s return to action as she participated in the Pac-12 North Invitational, where she played the exhibition court. When the Bruins went up against Loyola Marymount during Senior Day, Newberry played alongside Whitmarsh, where the pair clinched the dual point on a service ace from Newberry herself.
Metzger emphasized that the team concurs Newberry’s positivity and impact on the team are unmatched.
“Devon is the person to go to when they need to unload,” Metzger said. “She is a critical piece to the team. You will always need a Devon on your team.”
Newberry added that the feeling is reciprocated, as she appreciates the support that her team has constantly shown to her.
“This injury has shown me just how strong and amazing this UCLA community is, and it makes me so grateful to be a part of it,” Newberry said. “I feel such a strong sense of community with every individual. I know I can call whoever I want, knowing they all have an open heart.”
The senior said she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
“I have another year here and a lot that I want to accomplish, and I’m excited for every part of it,” Newberry said. ” This is the part that I signed up for.”
For now, Newberry and the rest of the Bruin squad will look to find success in the postseason as they get ready for the Pac-12 tournament at Stanford.
“I think since I’m in a different position this year, I think we are really hoping to bring the energy and fire and to go out there and just play,” Newberry said.
