When EJ Cudmore talks about how she found beach volleyball, it doesn't sound like the beginning of a typical athletic journey.

"I only started playing beach volleyball three years ago," she said, still sounding surprised by how quickly everything changed.

Growing up in Canada, Cudmore never envisioned herself on sun-soaked sand courts. In fact, she hadn't planned on beach volleyball at all. She signed up for a provincial team tryout almost by accident — one of those moments that seems insignificant at the time but ends up rewriting everything. Coaches noticed her frame and athleticism and decided to take a chance. From there, the trajectory of her life shifted faster than she ever imagined.

The beginning, however, was far from glamorous.

"My first year I didn't win a single medal," she said. "I lost every single game, basically, and I was ready to quit."

Her coach convinced her to give it one more shot. That second chance changed everything. Cudmore began to fall in love with the sport's unforgiving nature — the way beach volleyball demands accountability, resilience, and constant problem-solving.

"You have to figure things out on your own," she said. "That's the most beautiful part of it."

Learning to Stand Tall
Beach volleyball forced Cudmore to embrace discomfort. With no substitutions and no hiding behind teammates, every mistake plays out under the sun, the wind, and the weight of expectation. Yet instead of shrinking, she grew.

"You stay on the court and you solve problems with one other person," she said. "That pressure actually felt freeing."

The sport slowly pulled her out of her shell. Once a reserved athlete, she found a new voice on the sand.

"I used to be a very quiet kid," she said. "Now I don't think I close my mouth when I play. I'm always yelling. I'm the loudest one out there."

That confidence didn't arrive overnight. It came from learning how to communicate through adversity, how to reset after a bad point, and how to carry herself when someone else depended on her.
"I'm really proud that I came out of my shell," she said. "I'm able to be comfortable around these people and not really care what people think."

A Moment That Changed Everything
One of the most difficult moments of Cudmore's young career came far from home, during an international tournament in Pompano Beach.

While competing for Canada, Cudmore was confronted with deeply personal news from home. With no pause in competition, she was forced to carry that weight onto the court.
"It wasn't my best game, obviously," she said, "but I was still proud of myself for being able to go out there and play."

Her partner that day — now her college roommate — stayed by her side through it all. The experience, painful as it was, became a defining moment. It showed her just how much strength she possessed.

"If I could do that," she said, "I'm sure I can conquer a lot more than that."

An Unlikely Recruiting Story
Cudmore's recruiting journey mirrored her introduction to the sport — unconventional and unexpected.

She was just days away from signing to play indoor volleyball at a Canadian university when she attended a beach clinic at nationals. Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez happened to be watching.

"I wasn't even trying that hard," Cudmore said with a laugh. "I was just playing for myself."

Sometimes, that's when everything clicks.

Hernandez saw potential, and the recruiting process moved quickly. But the timing wasn't ideal. Cudmore was a senior, most roster spots were already filled, and as an international student she needed the right fit academically, athletically, and financially.

"It was really stressful," she said, "but it's really rewarding."

Through the process, Cudmore learned to be honest — about what she needed, what she wanted, and who she was. That transparency-built trust.

"Coach Kristina was so certain about me," she said. "It felt really nice having someone be on your side and know your worth."

Choosing Stetson
Stetson ultimately felt like the right fit on every level.

The beach volleyball program's competitive reputation mattered, but just as important was the culture surrounding it. Cudmore wanted to be somewhere that demanded excellence while still valuing connection.

"Everyone just seemed like they wanted it," she said. "They wanted to win a championship. That competitive mindset was really important to me."

Academically, Stetson offered an environment that felt familiar. Coming from a graduating class of just 45 students, Cudmore knew she would thrive in smaller class settings where professors knew her name and learning felt personal rather than overwhelming.

"I didn't want to feel like just another number," she said. "I wanted a place where people actually knew me."

The location sealed it. After growing up in Canada, where winter temperatures can dip well below zero, the idea of training year-round in Florida was a welcome change.
"I'm from Canada where it's negative 40 degrees Celsius right now," she joked. "Being able to play beach volleyball all year was huge for me."

Stetson also offered the balance she was looking for — close enough to Orlando for the occasional weekend getaway, but quiet enough to stay locked in on academics and athletics. It felt like a place where she could grow without distractions.

More than anything, it was the belief she felt from the coaching staff that stood out. From the beginning, Cudmore sensed she was wanted not just for her athletic ability, but for who she was as a person.

"That made the decision really easy," she said. "I felt supported, and I felt like I belonged."

Finding Balance and Belief
The biggest adjustment once she arrived on campus was learning balance.

In high school, Cudmore juggled multiple sports — badminton, track and field, and volleyball — along with a busy social life. College demanded a new rhythm.

"You have to have more of a balance in order for everything to work out smoothly," she said.

Upperclassmen advised her not to put too much pressure on volleyball as a freshman, to trust the process and let things unfold. That perspective helped her settle in and find her footing.
Looking back, Cudmore credits the people who believed in her before she fully believed in herself.

Her Team Ontario coach, Angie Shen, made her feel seen without forcing anything.

"She always made me feel at home in practice," Cudmore said, "even though I knew I was the worst one there."

Her parents were another constant — driving hours for practices and encouraging her to try the things she wasn't sure about.
"Without them," she said, "I don't think I would be here today."

She also draws inspiration from Canadian Olympian Brandie Wilkerson, an undersized blocker who continues to defy expectations.

"She's showing everyone that even if you are the underdog, you can still win," Cudmore said. "You can still be the best."

That underdog spirit — the one that carried her from a tryout she never meant to attend to Division I beach volleyball — is what drives her now.

Louder. Braver. And finally, fully at home on the sand.

Article partially generated with FanWord.

About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.