Aptos High senior volleyball standout Christian Humphreys hasn’t yet packed for college, but one article of clothing will surely make the trip with him when he continues his playing career at NCAA Division III Benedictine University in Chicago.
It’s a green sweatshirt with “TEAM JETT FIGHTER” emblazoned across the chest. He wore it prior to each of the Mariners’ four matches this spring and was off to a hot start when the season was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.
“That is not leaving my side,” Humphreys said. “I love that sweatshirt,”
His entire family has similar sweatshirts with the same slogan, a tribute to Humphreys’ younger brother Jett, 5, who lost an 18-month battle with brain cancer on April 23. Green was Jett’s favorite color.
Humphreys never stopped playing volleyball as he and his family dealt with the heartbreaking situation. The sport was his coping mechanism. For that reason, he never told his teammates.
“I didn’t want their sympathy,” Humphreys said. “I didn’t want them bringing it up or asking how he was doing. I wanted volleyball to be my escape.”
Mariners coach Tyler Krinkie learned of Jett’s ailing health from a family member a year ago, but he never brought it up when talking to his 6-foot-3 middle blocker or the team. He marveled at his player’s resolve.
“If anyone’s strong enough to go through that, it’s Christian for sure,” said Krinkie, noting Humphreys never mentioned his home life. “He was one of the most focused kids when he walked into the gym, like, ‘It’s volleyball time.’ ”
The fighters
Humphreys, 17, has three other siblings, Jack, 8, and step-brothers Logan 2, and Emmett, nine months. Jett was a ball of energy.
Humphreys and Jett shared always enjoyed their time together. They played tag and hide-and-seek, though Jett’s giggling often revealed his location while hiding. Humphreys often drove the family’s golf cart around their backyard in Corralitos while Jett, who loved to raid his brother’s candy stash, tagged along in his battery-operated Jeep. In less active times, they’d sit and watch “Kickin’ It” on the Disney Channel. And when a full day was registered, Humphreys read bed-time stories to Jett.
Jett made a habit of walking on his toes — the tumor was pressing against cerebellum and affected his balance — and he didn’t always stay upright. But when he struck his head after toppling to the ground in November of 2018, he began vomiting. Initially, the family believed Jett had a concussion and quickly took him to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz for treatment.
When Humphreys returned from school, he received the devastating news of what X-Rays revealed.
“That’s when my life changed forever,” Humphreys said.
Jett, with his mother, Amy Ramsey, by his side, was sent to St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis to receive radiation treatments for three months. During that time, Humphreys stayed with his grandmother, Debbie Harlan, in Aptos.
After Jett returned home, he continued receiving treatments at Stanford Hospital. Occasionally, he had to return to St. Jude’s, too.
Humphreys did his best to stay focused in the classroom and on the court. He played basketball as a junior and when volleyball rolled around last spring, he realized it was his passion.
He produced a stellar campaign and earned first-team all-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League honors after helping the Mariners win the regular-season title. In the SCCAL Tournament championship against Mount Madonna last May, Humphreys continued to shine in his brother’s honor. He recorded 11 kills with zero hitting errors and added six blocks in a 25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 25-13 sweep. Jett watched from the stands.
While Humphreys was being interviewed by then-Sentinel sports editor Julie Jag following his stellar match, Jett ran up and hugged his brother’s legs.
A unique talent
Humphreys was the No. 2 middle behind teammate Jackson Shirley, the league MVP on last year’s team.
Humphreys didn’t overpower opponents, he beat them with finesse and accuracy. He recorded 130 kills against just 15 hitting errors in 83 sets as a junior.
“He goes out there and finds a way to do it,” Krinkie said. “He’s super smart and crafty. He’s consistent. He’d rather get dug than have a hitting error — and that’s not a bad thing.”
After playing basketball his first three years of high school, Humphreys turned his focus solely to volleyball this year. A month before his first match, Humphreys’ family was informed that radiation treatments weren’t working on Jett.
Humphreys finally confided in his coach and told him his brother wasn’t going to make it. Krinkie wrapped his arms around the senior and didn’t let go.
“That let me know that the team was there for me,” Humphreys said.
Humphreys had his lucky green sweatshirt, but forgot to bring his shoes for the Mariners’ season-opening match against Carmel on March 3. Josh Powell had an extra pair of shoes in his bag and lent them to his teammate. Humphreys shined with 13 kills and four blocks in Aptos’ five-set victory.
Aptos (4-0) followed that win up with sweeps of Christopher, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley and garnered a No. 34 ranking in the state and No. 51 in the nation, according to MaxPreps.com.
Humphreys mourned off the court and celebrated on it, posting big performance after big performance for his ailing brother, who was unable to attend matches.
Jett was home and wasn’t talking much when he wasn’t sleeping. He lost his ability to walk and remained bedridden. Humphreys worked to keep his brother engaged, going so far as to create a language of flatulence sounds. The brothers giggled while “communicating.”
Humphreys did his best to keep his brother smiling, but the smiles faded April 23, a little more than a month after the Mariners’ volleyball season was cut short by COVID-19.
“It has been a tough three weeks,” Humphreys said earlier this week. “My house just feels empty now. It feels too quiet.”
College plans secured
A day after his brother died, Humphreys committed to Benedictine. He lost his brother, he lost out on his senior season, and graduation. It hasn’t been a very good year for the teen.
By securing his college plans, Humphreys enjoyed a much-needed shot to the arm. “The silver lining was I got into college,” he said.
Not just any college, one of the nation’s top Division III programs.
The Eagles were off to a 12-5 start and ranked No. 14 in the nation under coach Dan Buehring when they saw their season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic. Among their wins was a 3-0 sweep of UC Santa Cruz, the defending D-III runner-up.
“I really wanted to play college volleyball but had no for-sure offers until the coach from Benedictine reached out. … It’s really awesome. I’m really excited to play volleyball at a high level.”
Humphreys visited Chicago on a one-day layover last winter and loved it.
“I like being cold way better than being hot,” he said.
He’s excited to return for a campus visit in late June or July and will report to school in August.
Humphrey’s won’t making his journey alone. His favorite green sweatshirt is as good as packed. And with it, the memories of love, laughter, and inspiration that Jett provided.
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