WOODBURY – Spending multiple seasons of your high school athletic career facing injuries is far from the dream scenario for any high school athlete. But, Macey Chmiel, a senior volleyball player at Nonnewaug High School, is far from the typical high school athlete. 

Although it was challenging, having to recover from a series of injuries failed to derail what’s been a historic tenure at Nonnewaug. 

On November 8th, 2025, the Nonnewaug girls volleyball team made history at Suffield High School, winning their quarter finals game for the first time ever. 

Also during Chmiel’s senior year season, she reached her biggest goal of getting 500 career kills, making her one of the very few players in Nonnewaug history to do so. 

“That goal was a goal of mine for the last four years that I’ve been playing volleyball,” said Chmiel, “and accomplishing it…I can’t even describe it.” 

Chmiel will formally be recognized for this achievement on the Nonnewaug gymnasium banner labeled, “Nonnewaug Chiefs 500 Club” once the banner within the gym is updated. 

“It was just the best feeling knowing what I went through and how much I preserved to get on that banner,” says Chmiel. “It’s going to be so rewarding seeing my name on that banner after all these years.”

Marty Malaspina, girls varsity volleyball coach and math teacher at Nonnewaug, doesn’t fail to notice how strong Chmiel was while overcoming her injuries. He’s keenly aware of the immense impact that Chmiel has had on the team and finds it nothing short of inspiring. 

“Macey’s resilience through her injury and multiple surgeries has definitely helped her leadership with the team,” says Malaspina.

For Chmiel, her injuries helped to refocus her talents and understand how she can elevate NHS volleyball to new heights. 

“I think that she made a huge mental shift instead of thinking about what she needs to do to get kills,” said Malaspina. “She ended the season thinking about what she needed to do to get the team wins no matter what it looked like.” 

Despite all of her success, Chmiel was once in a state of vulnerability due to a series of injuries that left not only her physical health affected, but her mental health just as much. 

“It definitely had a big role on my mindset freshman and sophomore year prior to my injuries,” says Chmiel.

Her first injury occurred during the first round of states her sophomore year on November 6th, 2023. 

 “I get very down on myself now because I know my physical ability was way higher than what I was performing. It was just a constant mental battle to get out of my own thoughts,” said Chmiel. “It was always ‘let me push myself to do better’ and I just couldn’t.’”

Following Chmiel’s injuries, her physical challenges got worse as she continued to play volleyball. 

“I played the next round of states on it while hurt until we found out in July of 2024 that I needed surgery,” says Chmiel. “Instead of getting surgery instantly, I played my whole junior season in pain and then got my first surgery on my left ankle on Black Friday of 2024.”

For most student athletes, these two injuries alone would be more than enough to pull away from athletics entirely. 

“I think some girls would definitely not be inclined to get back on the court after injury,” says Malaspina, noting Chmiel’s perseverance and tenacity. 

For Chmiel, however, she was determined to find success through these injuries. 

“The determination she has is unmatched, unparalleled and I’m appreciative that we had her for this last year,” says Malaspina. 

Chmiel continues to prove that overcoming setbacks is just another opportunity for growth. 

 “My experiences in volleyball have shaped who I am today, especially in terms of resilience, teamwork and time management,” says Chmiel.

 “It has also helped me in creating a mindset of setting and achieving goals,” said Chmiel. “I’ve pushed myself to limits I didn’t know were possible and that’s something I’ll carry on with me forever.”

For Chmiel’s teammates, coaches, and close friends, and family, seeing her personify perseverance is nothing short of inspiring. 

“She is very resilient and can come back from anything and she has proven it time and time again,” says Jordan Kovach, junior at Nonnewaug and libero for Nonnewaug volleyball. 

Kovach, along with many other of Chmiel’s close friends and family, greatly helped Chmiel through her recovery process. 

“A big support for me is Jordan Kovach,” says Chmiel.

“This season we’ve gotten so close and I feel like just how much she stayed with me through my injury just shows who she is as a person,” says Chmiel. “Her constant texts and visits really meant so much to me and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Kovach was more than happy to step in and help, being alongside Chmiel when she needed it.

“I personally helped Macey through her injury by honestly just being there for her and doing things when she needed some help whether it was on the court or off the court,” says Kovach. 

 Kovach has a deep respect for Chmiel and often finds herself looking up to her.

“I have always looked up to her as a role model and I strived to be where she was, and the mark she made on me and the team will never be forgotten,” says Kovach.

Kovach also recognizes how passionate Chmiel is for volleyball and loved being able to see how much effort she put into the sport.

“During the season she has never once given up during the game and has stuck with us through it all,” Kovach said. “She gives 110% at everything she does and we couldn’t thank her enough.” 

Kovach truly appreciated all that Chmiel did for the team and understands how irreplaceable Chmiel truly is. 

“I’m going to miss her very much on the court next year,” Kovach. 

Additionally within Chmiel’s support system, there was a heavy reliance on her first love: horses.

“Seeing my horse Jedi has definitely helped me get through it as well, I turn to him in all my hard times,” says Chmiel. 

While her playing days may be over on the volleyball court at the high school level, Chmiel’s connection to her horses has her one day dreaming of owning her own ranch with her own animals. 

On the surface, Chmiel’s connection to horses and her love of volleyball may seem entirely different, it’s the skills and work ethic she’s developed in both that have her excited for what’s next. 

“I’ve pushed myself to a limit that I didn’t know that I was actually capable of,” says Chmiel. “I feel like I’ll carry on with my whole life knowing that I can persevere through those hard times.” 

Chmiel acknowledges how her experiences have shaped her as a person both on and off the court. She has come to realize what helped her through hard times and gives her own enlightenment to other athletes in the same situation as she once was. 

“It’s a great lesson for others who have injuries and some setbacks just to know there’s light at the end of the tunnel and to never give up,” says Chmiel. 

“My biggest advice for someone going through injuries is never give up and never stop dreaming,” says Chmiel.

“Injuries affect a person not only physically but mentally and it can be really easy to give up in the moment, but don’t,” said Chmiel. “As long as you stay strong and push through, injuries are only a setback and you will get through it.”