When Ayjah Landers first stepped onto Cal State LA’s volleyball court at just 17 years old, she was both excited and overwhelmed. A class of 2021 Quartz Hill High School graduate from Lancaster, she was suddenly surrounded by All-Americans, balancing the pressures of college life, and trying to figure out who she was without her mom nearby to guide her. 

“I’m very indecisive, so it was hard making decisions by myself,” Landers said. “As for volleyball, it was just a lot faster and harder than high school… It took a little bit for me to adjust.”

Her coach, Juan Figueroa, remembers those days vividly.

“She was just trying to find herself,” Figueroa said. “But she’s a kid with so much talent, a good heart, and a hard worker.” 

That adjustment period would only be the beginning of a journey marked by adversity, growth, and an unwavering faith that carried her through some of the toughest moments of her life.

After a first year of adjustments, Landers slowly found her footing. However, during her sophomore season, something unexpected happened: she started to fall out of love with the game. 

“I wasn’t happy with the way I was performing, and I genuinely wanted to quit,” Landers said.

That summer of 2023, determined to reignite her passion, she spent hours training, working on her fitness and skills until her confidence returned. By the time preseason rolled around, she was in the best shape of her life, finally poised to claim a starting spot. 

Her breakthrough came when the Golden Eagles played a scrimmage at Concordia University. Down 22-16, her coach subbed her in. She delivered her best performance yet, leading to a dramatic comeback and sealing the win. 

“I just remember being so happy,” Landers said. “I thought after this game it got me one step closer to getting a starting spot, so I was just really happy and proud of myself.”

Then, everything changed.

Moments after the scrimmage, her knee began to swell. The pain intensified, and by the time she reached her dorm, she couldn’t walk. An MRI confirmed a torn meniscus in both knees and a sprained MCL. Her season was over before it even began.

“I felt my world collapsing,” Landers said. “Everything I worked so hard for was gone.” 

Landers’ road back to the court was far from easy.

“The recovery from surgery was difficult, not just physical, but mentally,” Landers said. “Seeing my team do so well was a bittersweet feeling. I was so happy for them, but I was so sad I wasn’t a part of it.”

As her Golden Eagle teammates made a historic championship run, ultimately winning the national title, Landers was sidelined, battling depression, academic struggles, and a sense of isolation.

The injury was devastating, and things only got worse. Landers fell behind in her classes, and by semester’s end, she was academically ineligible to play in the spring and fall of 2024.

“I think it hit so deeply because I knew I let my team [and] coaches down,” Landers said. “The injury wasn’t my fault, but the ineligibility was, and so I was just super disappointed that I couldn’t help my team.”

The setback fractured relationships with teammates, many of whom stopped talking to her completely. After speaking with Coach Juan Figueroa, she stepped away from the team to focus on herself.

“We were really close when she first got here,” Figueroa said. “Then she started messing up here and there, and our relationship wasn’t as good. But she still had a place in my heart. I kept trying to push her the right way.”

The following fall semester would become a turning point. Landers switched majors, trained with a men’s team to stay in shape, and gave academics her all. She earned straight A’s, took out a loan to complete extra credits, and fought her way back to eligibility. 

“I talked to Juanchi [Coach Figueroa] and he allowed me to come back and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier,” Landers said.

Though her return was halted by another injury, she played Beach Volleyball about half a month into the season and focused on just being a good teammate until she returned to full participation.

Throughout her journey, Landers leaned on her faith.

“I believe that God was putting me through things to see if I would still be faithful to him and trust the plan he has for me,” Landers said. “Not everyone’s path is smooth, and I knew these things were happening for a reason.”

Her hard work paid off. After returning to the court, she slowly rebuilt trust with teammates, led open gyms over the summer, and earned back the respect she thought she’d lost. When team captains were announced, Landers’ name was called.

“I remember just praying to God, saying if it’s meant for me, I will get it,” Landers said. “It was a full-circle moment.”

For Figueroa, Landers’ comeback was emotional.

“I actually got a little emotional because at some point I thought she wasn’t gonna get here,” Figueroa said. “You hate to see a kid quit and not finish that piece of the puzzle…Now she’s in great shape, doing very good mentally, and impacting our team in a great way. I’m just proud of her.”

Soon after, she delivered a career performance at the team’s opening tournament in Hawaii: 28 kills and 33 points, being named MVP of the tournament. 

“When I found out, I started crying,” Landers said. “It felt like everything I went through was for a reason. I kept going, and I was just super proud of myself.”

Now a senior outside hitter and team captain, Landers is focused on leading Cal State LA to another championship.

“This season, my mindset is to just play as hard as I can and be a good leader,” Landers said. “I want to leave a legacy here at Cal State LA and play every game with no regrets.”

Before every match, Landers has a ritual: listening to worship music and visualizing success. It’s a small but meaningful reminder of the faith that has guided her journey, from a 17-year-old freshman figuring it all out, to a leader chasing greatness.