Corrina Benson PO ’27 is proof that you don’t have to choose just one passion — you can excel in many areas at once. Benson serves as a defensive anchor for the Pomona-Pitzer (P-P) volleyball program, while also majoring in both physics and art history.
Benson’s journey onto the team started with an email. Reaching out to the team’s coach once she arrived on campus, Benson secured a spot playing the sport she had long loved.
“I emailed the coach and I was like, ‘Hey, is there a spot for me on this team?’” Benson said. “She was nice enough to organize the current players to have dinner with me and give me a tour of the place. And I felt like the team was so nice, they seemed to like my vibe so I walked onto the team.”
Now, four years later, as a senior, Benson has etched her place in the program’s history. She has set multiple all-time program records, sometimes even breaking her own in the process. She currently stands as the all-time career digs leader with 2,000 digs, while also holding the record for all-time combined career service aces with 175 service aces and the single-season service aces record of 46.
Outside of her personal success, as a captain, Benson has made sure to look out for her team and strives to tailor her leadership approach to benefit the rest of the players.
“I think I’m a leader with my voice and by example,” Benson said. “I’d say if there was a secret, which I don’t think there is, it’s just really loving to get better and to practice with the team, to work as a unit. It’s just ‘how can I best contribute to the next play?’”
According to fellow team captain, Anna Krebs PZ ’27, Benson has not only enriched her teammates’ time in the volleyball program, but she has also made a difference in the other captains’ experiences.
“Because she was the captain the previous year, she had more of an idea of what the role looked like,” Krebs said. “She was who we went to for guidance on how we pursue any situation.”
Benson has achieved her success on the team while balancing an impressive course load, double majoring in physics and art history. Her academic journey, like many at Pomona College, started off on uncertain terms, yet she quickly found her passions.
“I came here not having any particular major in mind. I went to the department fair and saw the physics booth,” Benson said. “I took the first class and had a lot of fun. We had something called ‘learning communities’ where we all did homework together. I grew [to be] in love with the department.”
She paired her love of physics with a passion for art history, which she only later decided to double major in.
“I have just always loved taking random art history classes throughout my time here, and it just so happened that I have enough to declare the major,” said Benson. “I am actually interested in potential careers in that field.”
According to assistant coach Cassidy Gonzales, her performance on the court is a reflection of the work she puts in off the court.
“As a player and as a person, her qualities mirror themselves,” Gonzales said. “As a player, she is driven, extremely focused and goal oriented. She wants to be the best she can be, at all times. She also takes accountability and asks the right questions when needed.”
This year, Benson has emphasized cultivating a supportive team environment at practice, taking that same work ethic from class to the court.
“We have a pretty solid identity as a team, and that is to love what you’re doing and to have fun and to always be cheering,” Benson said. “We have at least one or two cheers for every player. Our rule is that you always have to be yelling, dancing, doing something to help make the environment hype and supportive for everyone.”
Benson has spearheaded the team’s effort in building that identity, according to Krebs.
“I think she leads [the team culture],” Krebs said. “Not just being a libero, but also being a captain for two years, she completely shapes our team culture and what discipline should look like. When we are faltering and not doing well in a game, she’s the person who speaks up.”
Krebs described Benson’s contribution to the team as a testament to what excellence and hard work mean over the course of a collegiate career.
“She has shown the rest of the team what it looks like to be a dedicated member, and I think that has really left a legacy for everybody else following behind her,” Krebs said.