There aren’t many high school students who can balance being a two-sport varsity athlete, getting good grades, maintaining solid relationships and everything in between. Senior Maya Saibel is an exception: as the captain of her field hockey and basketball teams, she led both to Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) championship victories and placed third in the North Coast Section (NCS) Division I for basketball. The senior has also been awarded MCAL first-team the past two years for basketball and was given the Marin Athletic Foundation Award this year for her athletic and sportsmanlike contributions. Not only are her field hockey and basketball skills through the roof, but in the 2024 Klassy Kickoff football game against the junior class, Saibel stood out as the key contributor to the seniors’ dominant win. As a stellar athlete on both the court and field, her leadership role and work ethic helped younger teammates see what it takes to be a Redwood athlete.
“I think I took a big leadership role and was a role model for my younger teammates. I really represented what a hard-working athlete should be on and off the field,” Saibel said.
By playing sports all throughout her childhood and high school, Saibel has learned a lot about herself and skills that will last longer than on the court.
“I think both [sports] gave me different experiences, but also helped me grow as a person and a leader. I learned a lot about hard work and managing things at different times,” Saibel said.
For many athletes, tough practices or losses can get in the way of staying connected as a team. When this is the case for Saibel, the key to overcoming something challenging is to stay positive.
“I think the end goal in mind for me was always just having fun and the success that comes at the end. Whenever we were having a tough practice, I would think that this is all just putting in the work for everything that’s going to happen, and that hard work paid off,” Saibel said.
Junior teammate Brooke Denler has seen the leadership that Saibel expresses when times get tough.
“[Saibel] is such a great leader and always has good energy to hype us up,” Denler said.
As Saibel’s high school athletic career ends, she reflects on her biggest achievements both on the court and field.
“I’m most proud in field hockey for winning four straight MCAL championships, keeping the dynasty going,” Saibel said. “For basketball, when I came into the [Redwood] program, it wasn’t too strong. I think I helped build a really strong program and got Redwood back to the top of Marin County and [at] the top of Bay Area girls basketball.”
Athletics has taught her many lessons over the years, which she hopes to take with her to the University of California, Santa Barbara, as she continues her academic career.
“I think playing sports has shown me how to work really hard and [taught me] that I can get a good result when I put that work in. In school, I have that same mindset, and I’ll take that with me into college,” Saibel said.
After years of dedication, Saibel has learned concepts that can help future athletes and students who hope to embody her same values.
“Being a good teammate is first and foremost the most important thing you can do,” Saibel said. “If you uplift everyone around you, then you can be the best version of yourself as a player and leader.”
