Cumbie Sisters Hope Sibling Language Translates to Success for SMCC Volleyball

Sibling rivalry is a hallmark of sports, a public forum for brothers and sisters to extract childhood revenge for wrongs never righted. Every sport has multiple examples of siblings duking it out for bragging rights and the public's, and maybe their parents' adoration. 

Still, there are also multiple examples of siblings teaming up to share in the success. For all of their singles accomplishments, Venus and Serena Williams have won 22 titles as doubles partners, including 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals.

The South Mountain Community College volleyball team features a pair of sisters in 2021, Mackenzie Cumbie and Sienna Cumbie. And while they freely admit to having had a contentious relationship in the past, as sisters are wont to do, they have overcome those obstacles to excel in the sport they love and hope to bring that success to the Cougars. 

Originally from Buckeye, Ariz., the Cumbies are a volleyball-playing family. Mackenzie is the second-oldest Cumbie sister and started playing in sixth grade when she tried out for the school team. She has primarily been a setter throughout her career.

"I like the leadership role of being a setter, which is the quarterback on the court" Mackenzie said. "There is a leadership role inherent in the position, and I enjoy learning and taking over an offense to make it my own."

Her head coach, Melissa Hess, has seen Mackenzie develop as a student-athlete and person since joining the program.

"Mackenzie has come out of her shell to show her energy and leadership capabilities," Hess said. "She has a great knowledge of the game and can gather information on our opponent quickly, which allows her to run a more effective offense earlier in the match. We want Mackenzie to run an effective 5-1 offense for us while continually working on her leadership skills, both on and off the court. I would love to see her in the top 3 of the conference in assists per game."

As a freshman in 2019, Mackenzie had a strong debut season for the Cougars. She led the squad with 464 assists and 5.4 assists per set for the season, finished third with 168 digs and tied for fourth with 24 service aces.

"All the girls stick out from last season, and we made some great memories," she added. "We hung out all the time, talked in the locker room and were a big part of why I liked SMCC. Everyone was nice and there for each other, and the friendships made it better."

Sienna is the third of the four Cumbie daughters. While playing soccer around nine, a teammate's mother asked her to play on a volleyball team because they were short a few players. She has moved around the court, playing nearly every position before settling in at libero.

"I love playing libero, and it is my favorite position to play," Sienna said. "There is the thrill of the ball coming right at you, and diving and running after stuff. Wearing  a different color jersey than my teammates help me stand out that much more."

When the 2021 season starts, it will mark her first action since the fall of 2019. She tried to play club volleyball after her senior season at Youngker HS, but that fell through. Instead, she picked up a coaching job with the sophomores at her high school.

That helped her stay connected to the game, and when she transitioned to SMCC, Coach Hess started zoom workouts with the team. She also noted that the team played some volleyball together, whether at an indoor facility or a sand court. 

"I want to thank the coaches for taking me in, and I have a lot to learn in the future. I also want to thank my high school and club coach, Troy Sherman, for pushing me and keeping me involved in the game. I am the player I am today because of him," Sienna said. 

Hess is excited to get her onto campus and into workouts. 

"With Sienna, we want her to learn the ways of our defense. Being able to see each point of each match from a coaches' perspective always improves a player's level of play and competitiveness," Hess said. "Sienna has such a high volleyball IQ. I think she is capable of doing a lot of great things for our program and pushing our defense to be better each practice, match and year."

Before coming to SMCC, the two sisters played together for Coach Sherman at Youngker High School. While they butted heads initially, they quickly learned to put aside their differences for their and the team's benefits.

"We played three years of varsity together, were sand teammates and teamed in a club before that," Mackenzie said. "We move and talk the same, and it takes others some time to get used to how we talk to each other. We tease each other a lot and are very sarcastic. We could say something uplifting to each other, and then suddenly we'll start messing around. It is a lot of fun to be on the court with her."

"We are very competitive, and at first, it was somewhat difficult to play with each other," Sienna said. "However, as we grew older, we learned to push the sister drama aside and have fun with each other. Now we are a lot more encouraging, have fun on the court and are a little goofy. We can give each other looks, and we know what the other is thinking without saying anything. Sometimes I'll say something that may not make sense to anyone else around me, but she'll understand." 

Their head coach is not too unfamiliar with sisters on the same squad as she played two years with her sibling Nikki for two years in high school. Still, this season will be the first time she has worked with sisters as a head coach. 

"Playing with your sister is rare, and every moment together should be cherished. It should make our team feel more connected sooner since they know each other better than anyone else," she added. "They are both very competitive kids, which increases our level overall since neither wants to lose to each other. In the few times I have seen them play together, or against one another, they are always bantering across the net, and it gets other players involved as well. Those types of relationships are always fun to see."

Because of the coronavirus, there was not a fall 2020 campaign for the team. Instead, the group will begin to play in early February 2021 against their ACCAC rivals. For Mackenzie, the 2021 season represents an opportunity for her to grow as a leader.

"My goal for the team is to have the best chemistry in the conference. Of course, we want to win and go farther than last year, but I am more focused on team chemistry.  For myself,  I want to step up in my leadership role," Mackenzie said. 

As a freshman, Sienna has different goals for the 2021 season. She expects the play to ramp up from the high school level. 

"I hope to get my name and film out to some high-level teams and keep growing as a player and a person," she said. "I think the speed of the game will be the biggest difference between high school and college. We'll be competing against higher level players, and it will be more competitive."

One area where Sienna hopes to improve is in her service reception and her communication skills.

"Working with Coach Mooney, I want to develop my serve reception so that it won't be an issue. With Coach Hess, I want to improve my defense and communication skills. She is pushing me to talk more during play and to get to my spots. I want to get to a point where she doesn't have to be on me for that," she said.

Mackenzie credits those same coaches with helping her improve as a player.

"There have been some struggles at times, but I know I am a better player because of it," she said. "In terms of passing, Coach Hess and Coach Mooney have worked with me on making the set better by focusing on myself, my body and how my arms and feet are moving. It is a good way to teach how your body works and moves before focusing on the result. They stressed it throughout the preseason, and it helped."

Although she is just starting her college education, Sienna has a pretty good idea of what she wants to accomplish in the future.

"I hope to get to a four-year university and keep playing volleyball no matter what level because I am happy if I am on the court and playing," she said. "After volleyball, I want to go into veterinary science and hope to attend a school that offers that major. From a young age, I have wanted to help animals. I caught a bunny when I was five, and since then, my family has called me the 'Animal Whisperer.'"

Meanwhile, Mackenzie is ready to see the rest of the country.

"I have lived in Arizona for 19 years. I am a psychology major, and most of the best psychology schools are on the east coast, so I am ready for a change of scenery," she said. "I want to continue to play volleyball and am interested in a career in adolescent or forensic psychology."

Wherever she winds up, it is unlikely she'll suddenly break free from the sport. A fourth sister, Kylie, has already made the high school varsity squad, so there is a chance in a few years that another Cumbie sister could suit up for the Cougars.

"We come from a big family where all four girls played volleyball and are parents focused on us being on the court together," Mackenzie added. "I wouldn't be anywhere without my family, and I want to thank them for their help and support. I have a niece who I know is going to be amazing, and I want to be a role model for her and work towards that."