DETROIT — When Wayne State senior middle blocker Kayla Giroux put down her 1,000th career kill in a season-opening win over Northwood, the moment symbolized more than a milestone.
The moment captured the balance she has built between excelling in her sport and thriving in the classroom — an achievement made possible by the opportunities she has embraced at Wayne State.
Giroux is one of the most decorated players in program history. In October, Giroux was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in her career and third instance this season. Last season she earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-America honors and became the first Wayne State volleyball player to be named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American. She was also inducted into the inaugural class of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national athlete honor society.
Those honors speak to her ability to perform at the highest levels on the court and in the classroom.
Last season, Giroux earned Second Team All-American honors, finishing ninth in DII in hitting percentage (.404). Surprisingly, she played in the fewest sets of her career yet still was able to crush all her career highs.
Carrying a 3.9899 GPA in Global Supply Chain Management and Business Management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, Giroux, who will graduate in December, is as serious about her studies as she is about competition. She credits Wayne State with creating an environment where student athletes can succeed in both areas.
"I've always set high standards for myself," she said. "But the support here has allowed me to pursue both my athletic and academic goals without feeling like I had to sacrifice one for the other."
That support showed itself in multiple ways. Ilitch School faculty mentors, such as associate professor Lori Sisk, introduced her to the possibilities of supply chain management and connected her with industry professionals. Wayne State's flexibility made it possible for her to complete a summer internship with DHL in Belleville, where she worked in operations and inventory management while still training with her volleyball team.
"It was a balance, but the experience helped me see where I want to go with my career," she said. "I don't think I would have had that opportunity without the guidance and encouragement from my professors and coaches."
Last summer, Giroux joined students from Bowling Green State University, Ohio State University and
Kent State University as interns at DHL's partner hub in Belleville, Michigan.
Wayne State has also given her a platform to lead. On the court, she has developed into the anchor of the Warriors' program consistently in postseason contention, embracing her role as a mentor to younger teammates. In the classroom, she has grown into a leader prepared to guide organizations through the complexity of global supply chains and business management.
"Being in both majors has shown me how much I enjoy leadership," she explained. "It's reinforced that I can pursue a career where I'm helping people work together and improve the way things operate."
Her journey hasn't been without setbacks.
A devastating knee injury in high school might have derailed her athletic career. Instead, she found the determination to recover and the right place to grow.
"After my injury, I just felt grateful for every chance to play," said Giroux, who graduated from Flat Rock High School in 2022. "Wayne State gave me the opportunity to compete at a high level and also prepare for life after volleyball."
As she nears graduation, Giroux faces a wide-open future. Opportunities to play professionally overseas are on the horizon, fueled by international experience she gained in Brazil last summer. Graduate school remains an option, as does beginning her career in supply chain or management right away.
Last season, Giroux became the first player in program history to receive Academic All-American honors. "She has been exceptional in both areas which is a testament to her wonderful character," said Wayne State head coach Tim Koth.
No matter the path, she feels prepared because of the balance she has developed.
"The people here have helped me grow in every way," she said. "I know I'm ready for whatever comes next."
Her story illustrates the best of what Wayne State offers — an environment where academic achievement and athletic success reinforce each other, where students don't have to choose between their passions, and where the opportunities they receive prepare them for their next stage.
For Giroux, the 1,000th kill was just one milestone. The bigger accomplishment has been proving that with the right support system, a student-athlete can truly excel in both arenas. In that sense, Wayne State has given her exactly what she came looking for: a place that feels like home, challenges her to grow, and sets her up to succeed long after the final point is scored.
