Serving Success: How Jade Light Balances Engineering and Division 1 Volleyball
As a double major in mechanical engineering and aerospace science and engineering at the University of California, Davis, and captain of the Aggies women’s volleyball team, Jade Light has never wanted to choose between her two passions. Instead, she had to learn how to give both the time and energy they deserve.
Now in her fourth year, Light has figured out — through some trial and error — how to balance both worlds with a positive outlook, persistence and a goal-oriented game plan, showing that dedication and discipline can make even the toughest balancing acts possible.
Choosing UC Davis
It started with her choice to attend UC Davis.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in athletics and science — her veterinarian mother played volleyball, and her geologist father played baseball, both at Stanford — Light valued both the competitive and academic aspects of education and dreamed of such cohesiveness for her college life. Both of her parents earned their graduate degrees from UC Davis, so the school was definitely in her sights.
The clincher was Aggies women’s volleyball coach Dan Connors. Whereas many other recruiting schools had discouraged her from pursuing a STEM major to focus solely on her sport, her soon-to-be head coach supported her doing both engineering and volleyball.
For Light, UC Davis wasn’t just a college choice; it was a commitment to balance.
Leading on the Court
This season, with Light at the helm as captain, the UC Davis volleyball team holds an impressive 13–1 record in conference play. This season has been a standout for Light — she was recently named the Big West Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in October. She has since earned the honor twice more.
Light recently joined elite company as the 13th player in program history to record over 1,000 career kills (a “kill” is a successful, unreturnable attack that results directly in a point). She currently sits at No. 1 for kills this season across all players in the Big West conference.
Light also tops the Big West conference chart for points, scoring 332.5 so far this season, and is in the top 20 players for service aces and digs.
These milestones reflect her consistent impact on the team’s offense and her commitment to leading her team with mentorship and motivation. For her, being captain isn’t just about calling plays — it’s about creating an environment of trust, accountability and belief in one another.
“I like making people feel comfortable and knowing that they're heard and seen for who they are and where they want to go both on and off the court,” she said.
Her focus this season is simple yet powerful: build a team culture of confidence and resilience and win the Big West Conference. (Their chances are good — as of Nov. 12, UC Davis is No.1.)
The upcoming move from the Big West Conference to the Mountain West Conference also excites her. Despite graduating before the change, she is happy for the opportunity that this will be for UC Davis.
The move will place UC Davis among a deeper pool of nationally competitive programs, offering greater visibility, tougher competition and new recruiting opportunities — all of which Light believes will elevate the program’s future.
“It’s a big step — more exposure, more resources — and a chance for us to prove ourselves on a larger stage.”
Exploring Aerospace Engineering
Even before college, Light had a fascination with space. She originally wanted to study astrophysics, but when she discovered that UC Davis didn’t offer an astrophysics program, she looked into aerospace engineering instead — a decision she now calls “a blessing in disguise.”
“I really enjoy tangible things and things that I can actually solve for and can see.”
To satisfy her astrophysics interest, she enjoys reading Neil deGrasse Tyson's books.
“They're so interesting,” she said. “It's a lot of information, but it's so fun to sit there and really think about what really could be going on out there.”
Her favorite course so far has been EAE 133 — “Finite Element Analysis of Structures,” taught by Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn. The class has reinforced her love for methodical, systems-based thinking.
She’s begun learning the fundamentals of aerodynamics and flight mechanics, and she finds that understanding how aircraft operate deepens her appreciation for space and flight. Looking ahead, Light hopes to earn her pilot’s license and eventually work in the aviation industry.
A Winning Mindset
Over the years, Light has also developed a life philosophy that helps her manage both academics and athletics.
“It’ll all work out — it’s not that deep,” she said, reflecting on how she used to take everything really hard her first year. With time, she learned to take a step back, keep perspective and trust herself. That mindset shift has allowed her to excel in both the classroom and on the court, balancing her passions without losing her sense of joy.
As Light embarks on her final year at UC Davis, she’s aiming for straight A’s, a strong finish to the season and time to appreciate every part of the experience.
For future student-athletes, Light’s advice is simple but profound:
“Be resilient. Build relationships with your professors. And don’t forget to enjoy the moment.”
