The journey to an NCAA lacrosse championship was far from easy, but for three sisters from Connecticut, it was worth every challenge. Nicole, Ashley, and Chloe Humphrey helped lead the University of North Carolina (UNC) to an undefeated season and a national title on May 25.
Their inspiring story of perseverance and family bonds was key to their success, and now, they’re sharing how they couldn’t have achieved this remarkable feat without one another.
Overcoming Obstacles Together
The three sisters’ path to playing together at UNC wasn’t a straightforward one, but they all agree that their shared experiences brought them closer. “There’s always a silver lining to everything,” says Nicole, the oldest of the three sisters.
“Our story is really great for young players, especially when going through adversity. There’s always something better that comes out of all of these obstacles.”
Nicole’s journey began at UNC, but after a few years, she transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) to finish her undergraduate career. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined her for a year, ultimately bringing her back to UNC, where she was reunited with her younger sisters.
Finding a New Home at UNC
Ashley, the middle sister, initially started her lacrosse career at Stanford before transferring to UNC last season. “I definitely wanted to do something different,” she says. “I think I really wanted to push myself academically and see how far it could get me.
I committed when I was a freshman in high school, so I was still really young, but I am so grateful for my time at Stanford.”
After her transfer to UNC, Ashley reunited with Nicole, and soon after, their younger sister Chloe joined the team. Chloe, a top recruit in the 2023 class, made an immediate impact in her freshman year, despite redshirting the previous season due to a stress reaction foot injury. The sisters’ combined talent and teamwork helped elevate the team to the top of collegiate lacrosse.
Family Roots in Sports
The sisters’ success on the lacrosse field can be traced back to their childhood in Darien, Connecticut, where they were inspired by their mother, who played lacrosse at Dartmouth College. The trio also honed their skills playing together at home, often to their parents’ dismay.
“We had glass doors in our living room,” Nicole recalls, laughing. “There are a few broken lamps, a lot of holes in the wall in the garage.”
The Humphrey family’s athleticism is legendary. Their father, John, was a Hall of Fame basketball player at Middlebury College, and their grandfather, John Otis, played baseball at Dartmouth and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers. Growing up in such a sporty family set the stage for their own athletic success.
A Family Celebration of Victory
Now that Nicole and Ashley have completed their eligibility, they are looking forward to watching Chloe continue to shine in the sport. “I’m sad we only got one year together,” Chloe says, reflecting on the time spent with her sisters. “But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
For Chloe, the experience of playing and winning the national championship with her sisters was nothing short of a dream come true. “To be able to share the season with them was nothing I could have ever imagined. I mean, the way everything worked out just showed me that, in our family, everything happens for a reason.
There are silver linings in everything,” Chloe says. “It’s been such an honor to play alongside them. To be able to then hoist the national championship trophy beside both of them was just an unreal feeling.”
For Nicole, Ashley, and Chloe Humphrey, winning the NCAA lacrosse national championship was a moment of triumph, not just for their athletic skills, but for their enduring bond as sisters. Their journey, full of obstacles and challenges, proves that with family support and perseverance, anything is possible.
As they celebrate their victory, they look forward to what the future holds—knowing that their time together on the field will forever be a cherished memory.
