It took a village: Alexia Lemay-Evans on volleyball, community, and home

Four years into her time wearing the Axewomen jersey, Alexia Lemay-Evans has established herself as one of the program’s most impactful and consistent performers. A 2023–24 AUS first team all-star and 2024–25 AUS first team all-star, Lemay-Evans continues to lead on the court in her final season, pacing Acadia with 3.8 points per set and 3.41 kills per set in 2025–26. Now in her fourth year, the Kinesiology student reflects on the relationships, community, and shared experiences that shaped her journey — and why Acadia has come to mean far more than just volleyball.

I’m often reminded of how many people it took for me to get here.

Community members who cheered me on.

Teammates who became like family.

Trainers and athletic therapists who guided me through the ups and downs.

Coaches who believed in me.

I’ve been lucky enough to have them by my side every step of the way - through high school volleyball, club volleyball, and now university sport.

And, of course, my parents, who have loved and supported me beyond measure.

As a fourth-year Kinesiology student and a member of the Acadia Axewomen volleyball program, I can’t help but pause and reflect on how these relationships have become incredibly meaningful to me and have played a huge role in my development both on and off the court.

My Roots

Growing up in Sudbury, Ontario, meant that high-performance volleyball opportunities weren’t always easy to come by.

Our coaches were volunteers, and every tournament or provincial camp meant hours of travel.

Although it was challenging to get exposure, that experience ended up shaping who I am in a really positive way as I learned to value the tight-knit volleyball community around me.

In Sudbury, I was lucky enough to find coaches, personal trainers, and athletic therapists who truly cared about me, not just as an athlete but as a person.

How Volleyball Chose Me

I first started playing volleyball in Grade 5, and honestly, nothing initially drew me to it.

I was simply determined to try every sport while in elementary school.

I had been a competitive dancer for years, so when my younger sister decided to try out for a club volleyball team, I wasn’t sure I wanted to give up dance.

My mom encouraged me to go to the tryout anyway, and I ended up making the team.

I was able to continue both dance and volleyball, practicing volleyball on some days and dancing on others.

I quickly fell in love with volleyball as I found that I loved the feeling of being part of a team where everyone relied on each other and celebrated each small victory together.

I also loved the strategic aspect of the game and the constant challenge that volleyball gave me.

Volleyball quickly became a sport I was truly passionate about, and I balanced it with dance all throughout high school.

Why Acadia Felt Different

When it came time to choose a university, I chose Acadia because it just felt like home.

Moving away from home, being part of a community was really important to me, and both Wolfville and Acadia immediately felt tight-knit and welcoming.

The team is like a family, and having the support of both the Acadia and wider Wolfville community makes playing here such a special experience.

I was also drawn to the coaching staff. Having strong female coaches who genuinely care about you as a person, not just as an athlete, made a huge difference, and it’s not something you find everywhere.

Academically, I loved that it’s a smaller school where you can form meaningful relationships with professors and classmates, which makes everything feel more personal and connected.

Playing and studying at Acadia has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Moment That Changed Everything

My most memorable moment so far has definitely been winning the AUS Championship in my second year - the first AUS title in program history.

The atmosphere was like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I’m forever grateful I got to be part of such a special and historic moment.

The support from the Acadia and Wolfville community was indescribable, and sharing that win with some of my best friends made it even more meaningful.

It will forever be one of the best moments of my athletic career and a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

How Acadia has impacted me

The biggest lesson I’ve taken from my time at Acadia is the value of the relationships you make along the way.

In the moment, it can feel like it’s all about wins and losses, but the lifelong friendships I’ve built are what I’ll remember forever.

Acadia volleyball has given me some of the most meaningful relationships of my life and has taught me the importance of strong female friendships.

Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, support you, and push you to be the best version of yourself is a lesson I’ll carry far beyond sport.

The Community That Made It Home

What I enjoy most about being part of the Wolfville community is how genuinely supportive and connected everyone is.

It’s the kind of place where people show up for you, whether it’s fans packing the gym or community members stopping to wish us good luck around town.

Coming from Ontario, being a part of a community where everyone is so friendly and supportive wasn't something I was used to, but it's something I've come to value deeply.

Wolfville has such a welcoming, tight-knit feel that makes being a student-athlete really special.

Being part of that has made Acadia feel like home in a way I didn’t fully expect, and it’s one of the things I appreciate most about being here.

Being Someone Others Can Look Up To

I hope younger athletes and fans see me as a strong female role model and someone they can look up to as a hard worker who loves to compete.

I want to show that girls and women don’t just belong in sport, they can thrive in it, lead in it, and excel in it.

If seeing me play helps even one young athlete believe they can chase their own goals with confidence, then I hope they continue their sport journey believing they deserve to take up space and compete.

What Lies Ahead

Looking ahead, my goals are to pursue dentistry school after my time at Acadia.

That being said, I know I want to stay connected to the sport in some capacity, as volleyball has played such a huge role in my life.

If I end up back home for a period of time, depending on where dentistry takes me, I’d love to give back to the club that shaped me and allowed me to become the athlete and person I am today.

Being able to return as a coach or mentor would be a full-circle moment I’d be really excited about.

Volleyball has given me so much, and I can’t wait to continue sharing the gift of sport with others.

And I’ll never stop being grateful for the people, and the places, that made me who I am.

Our weekly student-athlete features share the stories of Axemen and Axewomen in their own words. From why they chose Acadia, to how they found their sport, to the people and moments that have shaped their journey, these first-person pieces highlight the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of Acadia’s student-athletes on and off the field.