Growing up in Darien, Connecticut, Isabelle was immersed in volleyball from an early age. With two older sisters who played for the Darien High School program, she spent countless hours in the gym watching them compete and occasionally peppering with Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 inductee Laurie LaRusso during junior varsity timeouts. Although volleyball had always been part of her life, it was not until her freshman year of high school in 2012 that she proudly wore the Blue Wave varsity uniform herself. The Darien volleyball community quickly became an extension of her family, and those early experiences helped shape both the player and the person she would become.
Isabelle gained confidence during her sophomore season in 2013 as a captain and starting six-rotation outside hitter. Known for her passion, composure, and relentless defensive play, she embraced the biggest moments with confidence and determination. After playing club volleyball for CWVBHF Class of 2017 inductee Mike Brienza, with the Connecticut Juniors, she returned for her junior season with a more refined and tenacious style of play.
Her 2014 season proved to be one of the finest in Darien volleyball history. Isabelle helped lead the Blue Wave to both the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Championship and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class LL State Championship while earning tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors, Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) Player of the Year, Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, First Team All-State, and First Team All-FCIAC recognition. In the Class LL State Championship match, she delivered one of the defining performances of her high school career, recording 22 kills.
As a senior in 2015, Isabelle continued to lead the Blue Wave as team captain and team MVP, helping Darien capture another FCIAC Championship. She finished the season with a .472 hitting percentage and concluded her high school career with 858 kills. Despite suffering a significant knee injury late in the season, she continued to demonstrate leadership, determination, and commitment that defined her career. Isabelle concluded her high school career with additional honors, including CHSCA Player of the Year, FCIAC Player of the Year, and First Team All-State recognition. While her individual accomplishments were remarkable, she has always viewed her success as a reflection of the commitment, trust, and belief shared among her teammates.
Following her high school career, Isabelle continued playing volleyball at Claremont McKenna College in California. After spending her freshman season recovering from her knee injury, she returned to the court as an important contributor for the Athenas as a six-rotation outside hitter.
In 2017, Isabelle helped lead Claremont McKenna to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III National Championship – the first national title in program history. She was a starter throughout the regional and national tournaments and, in the NCAA championship match against Wittenberg, recorded nine kills and led the team with 16 digs to help secure the championship. Following the match, Laurie LaRusso was among the first to reach out and congratulate her, bringing Isabelle’s volleyball journey full circle.
After her junior season, Isabelle made the difficult decision to end her competitive volleyball career as recurring knee injuries prevented her from competing without significant pain. Although her playing career ended earlier than she had hoped, the lessons she learned through volleyball would shape the next chapter of her life.
Following her graduation from Claremont McKenna College, Isabelle earned her Master of Social Work from New York University, graduating in May 2024. She currently works as a mental health therapist while training to become a psychoanalyst, with the goal of supporting high-level female athletes, particularly those navigating injury and recovery. Her own experiences as an athlete have fueled a passion for helping others through the challenges of competition, identity, and healing.
From watching her sisters compete in the Darien High School gym, to championship seasons as a player, to now helping athletes through her professional work, volleyball has remained a constant source of connection, growth, and purpose. Isabelle is deeply grateful to be part of her sisters’ and Darien’s volleyball legacy and for the invaluable support and guidance of her parents, teammates, Laurie LaRusso and Mike Brienza.