Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP
/ Women's Volleyball
Stella Miller signed with Toledo volleyball for the next two seasons through Team IMPACT.
Stella Miller Signs with Toledo Volleyball Through Team IMPACT
8/19/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
9-year-old Ohio native matched with the Rockets for next two years
TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo women's volleyball head coach Brian Wright and the 2026 team are honored to announce the addition of Stella Miller to the program in partnership with Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT works to match children facing serious illnesses and disabilities with college sport teams to build a sense of belonging, support, and mentorship.
"We are so excited to welcome Stella to our team," said Wright. "Her joy, passion and ability to find fun in all the things around her despite adversity speaks directly to our goals as a team to be consistently great every day, to always be yourself and to make the people around you better. Since joining our team, Stella has absolutely made our team better. We are so grateful to Team IMPACT for creating this match and bringing Stella into all of our lives and the Toledo volleyball family."
Stella lives with cystinosis and Fanconi syndrome. Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes cystine to build up within cells and can progressively affect the kidneys, eyes, and other organs. Fanconi syndrome is a kidney disorder that affects the body's ability to properly reabsorb water, electrolytes, and nutrients.
The youngest of three, Stella and her family reside in Port Clinton, Ohio. She is entering fourth grade and is involved in local theater, where she just performed "Pinocchio" and hip hop dance classes. Stella also loves slime and squishy toys, playing with baby dolls and spending time on Lake Erie. She enjoys listening to Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams.
"Finding Team IMPACT and having Stella become part of this team has meant so much to our entire family," said Christine and Nate Miller, Stella's parents. "Stella loves being around the players, cheering them on, and being included in everything. She proudly tells anyone and everyone that she's on a volleyball team and not just any team, but a championship-winning team at that!
"Stella understands that she has different needs and experiences than many other children, but she is still just a kid who wants to have fun, make friends, be included, and feel like she belongs. Team IMPACT has given her the opportunity to simply be a kid and be part of something bigger than herself. In so many ways, it feels like she's gained a whole group of big sisters. As parents, our hope is that Stella finds a true sense of belonging and understanding within this team, while also building confidence and developing a love for the game. The way these girls have welcomed Stella and embraced her has been incredible, and we can already see how much it means to her. We hope these relationships grow into lifelong friendships and that, years from now, Stella still looks back and remembers the girls who made her feel like she truly belonged. Team IMPACT has given Stella so much more than the opportunity to be part of a volleyball team. It has given her a community, a place to belong, role models to look up to, and a team that makes her feel like she is exactly where she's supposed to be."
Toledo's connection to Stella began when seniors Gabbi LeBlanc and Caylee Sharkey began their time at a Team IMPACT fellowship program. LeBlanc and Sharkey help spread awareness for Team IMPACT and connect the various groups that help make the matches between children and teams possible, including families, case workers, hospitals, communities, college campuses and athletic teams. They both attended the Team IMPACT Fellowship Summit in Boston this summer, where fellows from across the country came together to learn more about the organization, share ideas and learn how to use those resources at their home campuses.
"Being a Team IMPACT Fellow has given me the chance to grow as a leader and make connections throughout our community," said Sharkey. "It's been really special to see that work come to life through Stella and her family. Having Stella as a teammate gives us another reason to appreciate the opportunity we have to play the sport we love and share it with others. I'm excited to see everything we can learn from each other and to continue sharing what this program and having Team IMPACT matches on campus can mean for everyone involved."
"I'm so grateful that Stella was able to find her Team IMPACT match home with us," said LeBlanc. "UT Athletics and volleyball are such a sacred place for me and I'm proud that we have the means to welcome, support, and love on Stella the way any teammate deserves. She is bright, spunky, creative, and has incredible music knowledge for a 9-year-old! Stella and her family are now a part of the Toledo volleyball family not only for the next two years but for as long as they'll have us! Team IMPACT really shows that a community is stronger when together and I'm excited that Toledo volleyball gets Stella by our side."
By signing, Stella and her family will be paired with Toledo volleyball for the next two seasons.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides symbiotic relationships between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
"We are so excited to welcome Stella to our team," said Wright. "Her joy, passion and ability to find fun in all the things around her despite adversity speaks directly to our goals as a team to be consistently great every day, to always be yourself and to make the people around you better. Since joining our team, Stella has absolutely made our team better. We are so grateful to Team IMPACT for creating this match and bringing Stella into all of our lives and the Toledo volleyball family."
Stella lives with cystinosis and Fanconi syndrome. Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes cystine to build up within cells and can progressively affect the kidneys, eyes, and other organs. Fanconi syndrome is a kidney disorder that affects the body's ability to properly reabsorb water, electrolytes, and nutrients.
The youngest of three, Stella and her family reside in Port Clinton, Ohio. She is entering fourth grade and is involved in local theater, where she just performed "Pinocchio" and hip hop dance classes. Stella also loves slime and squishy toys, playing with baby dolls and spending time on Lake Erie. She enjoys listening to Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams.
"Finding Team IMPACT and having Stella become part of this team has meant so much to our entire family," said Christine and Nate Miller, Stella's parents. "Stella loves being around the players, cheering them on, and being included in everything. She proudly tells anyone and everyone that she's on a volleyball team and not just any team, but a championship-winning team at that!
"Stella understands that she has different needs and experiences than many other children, but she is still just a kid who wants to have fun, make friends, be included, and feel like she belongs. Team IMPACT has given her the opportunity to simply be a kid and be part of something bigger than herself. In so many ways, it feels like she's gained a whole group of big sisters. As parents, our hope is that Stella finds a true sense of belonging and understanding within this team, while also building confidence and developing a love for the game. The way these girls have welcomed Stella and embraced her has been incredible, and we can already see how much it means to her. We hope these relationships grow into lifelong friendships and that, years from now, Stella still looks back and remembers the girls who made her feel like she truly belonged. Team IMPACT has given Stella so much more than the opportunity to be part of a volleyball team. It has given her a community, a place to belong, role models to look up to, and a team that makes her feel like she is exactly where she's supposed to be."
Toledo's connection to Stella began when seniors Gabbi LeBlanc and Caylee Sharkey began their time at a Team IMPACT fellowship program. LeBlanc and Sharkey help spread awareness for Team IMPACT and connect the various groups that help make the matches between children and teams possible, including families, case workers, hospitals, communities, college campuses and athletic teams. They both attended the Team IMPACT Fellowship Summit in Boston this summer, where fellows from across the country came together to learn more about the organization, share ideas and learn how to use those resources at their home campuses.
"Being a Team IMPACT Fellow has given me the chance to grow as a leader and make connections throughout our community," said Sharkey. "It's been really special to see that work come to life through Stella and her family. Having Stella as a teammate gives us another reason to appreciate the opportunity we have to play the sport we love and share it with others. I'm excited to see everything we can learn from each other and to continue sharing what this program and having Team IMPACT matches on campus can mean for everyone involved."
"I'm so grateful that Stella was able to find her Team IMPACT match home with us," said LeBlanc. "UT Athletics and volleyball are such a sacred place for me and I'm proud that we have the means to welcome, support, and love on Stella the way any teammate deserves. She is bright, spunky, creative, and has incredible music knowledge for a 9-year-old! Stella and her family are now a part of the Toledo volleyball family not only for the next two years but for as long as they'll have us! Team IMPACT really shows that a community is stronger when together and I'm excited that Toledo volleyball gets Stella by our side."
By signing, Stella and her family will be paired with Toledo volleyball for the next two seasons.
About Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT's unique multi-year program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides symbiotic relationships between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win, effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 3,000 children with 750+ colleges and universities in all 50 states, impacting more than 75,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Monday, December 08
Sunday, November 23
Monday, September 15
Friday, July 25
