Kylee Loewe is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sandra Day O’Connor High School for AZPreps365. 

PHOENIX – For most high school girls, family can feel like a distraction from teen-age life. But for Berkley France, family is the foundation of everything.

From back injuries that forced her off the court to committing to play college volleyball, Sandra Day O’Connor’s junior outside hitter has leaned on her family to help her stay positive through life’s challenges.

“I started volleyball really young,” Berkley said. “My mom played in college and my sister started playing before me, so I just followed in their footsteps.”

The France family has a history of collegiate athletics. Berkley’s dad, Josh France, played baseball at the University of Arizona before transferring to the University of Utah, where he met her mom, McKelle France, who played volleyball for the Utes. While Berkley’s oldest sibling, Crue France, was called to serve a two-year mission in Africa, her sister, Addison France, is now a freshman volleyball player at the University of New Mexico.

Berkley’s mom revealed how difficult her brother’s departure was for Berkley.

“They are very close,” McKelle said. “When Crue left on his mission, we got home from the airport and she bawled. She had a hard time even FaceTiming him because she missed him so much that she would end up in tears.”

Struggling with the absence of her brother, Berkley turned to her older sister for support.

“Berkely and Addison have a really good relationship, too,” McKelle said. “When Addison is home, they go everywhere together. They’re like little best friends.”

The France sisters were set to play two years of high school volleyball together, but the opportunity was quickly taken away.

“Freshman year is when it started,” Berkley said. “I got a stress fracture in my lower back, so I gave it a bit to heal and rest and then it felt great.”

After resting, Berkley returned in time to play one season of high school volleyball with her sister.

“Sometimes you have siblings that butt heads or just don’t get along,” said Amanda Burbridge, Sandra Day O’Connor volleyball coach. “But if Addi got hurt or came up slow, Burk was always right there. And Addi took care of Berkley too. They would just have fun together. It was an easy relationship.”

After playing for the Eagles with her sister, Berkley competed for her club team during the most crucial time of her amateur volleyball career – college recruiting.

“It was stressful,” McKelle said. “I think not knowing who’s going to want to talk to her or if anyone’s going to make any offers was a stressful thought in her head.”

On June 15, 2025, Berkley verbally committed to play volleyball at Saint Mary’s College of California.

Berkley France smiles for a picture to announce her verbal commitment to Saint Mary's College of California. (Photo provided by McKelle France).

“I was so excited,” Berkley grinned. “The things they have told me about how they think of me, just makes me feel so good about myself. I’m so excited to go there.”

Freshly committed, Berkley was eager to keep progressing as a volleyball player. That was when she faced a far-too-familiar obstacle.

“I was at Club Nationals. One play, it was a really low ball and I went for it and I remember thinking, ‘oh my gosh. I don't know if I can get up,’” Berkley explained. “So we went to get it checked and I had a stress fracture again in the same spot.”

Now in her junior year, Berkley finds herself sitting on the sidelines for the second time in her high school career.

“It was obviously really hard to hear,” she explained. “I take the time off and it doesn’t work, so it was really annoying. But I’ve been resting for two months, so I’m hopeful I’ll be OK soon.”

Even hearing the disappointing news, Berkley’s friends and teammates appreciate how positive she has remained through her injury.

“I know it’s hard for her,” said Samantha Mondino, Berkley’s close friend and teammate. “She’s told me before ‘I just want to be out there to help the team,’ and it’s making all of us want to play for her.”

Although Berkley is eager for the day she can step back on the court, there’s one fast-approaching date that has been circled on her calendar for two years – Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 – the day Crue returns home.

“I miss him so much,” Berkley said. “He doesn't know this, of course – because I don't tell him how much I love him and everything – but he means the world to me. I’m just so excited to have him home.”

Through all the ups and downs of her life, Berkley has shown her strength through the way she handles adversity and treats the people around her.

“She has a good way of bringing the best out of people,” Samantha said. “You can really see who she is as a person based on how she makes everyone feel. It’s so fun to have a friend like her.”