From Kindergarten to 12th Grade: How MSI Became a Second Home
For the Combs family, MSI isn’t just a soccer club. It’s part of their family story.
Juliana’s dad played for MSI when he was younger, and he knew exactly where he wanted his kids to start their soccer experience. As her mom, Darlene, recalls, “He said, ‘This is a phenomenal program. Our kids have to do it.’”
Their older son and daughter joined first and enjoyed their time with MSI before eventually moving on to other sports. Juliana made a different choice. From the moment she was old enough for the Kindergarten program, she stayed. Now a high school senior, she’s finishing her youth career in MSI’s Classic League, completing a Kindergarten-through-12th grade run with the same organization her dad once played for.
Juliana’s earliest memories aren’t of a particular goal or game, but of being part of a team.
“It was being on a team with friends from my school,” she says. “It was definitely fun. Our coach was a parent, but he made it fun for everyone, and that made me want to keep playing.”
For Darlene, those early years felt like classic “soccer mom” life: rushing to practices, weekend games, and building friendships on the sideline.
“The camaraderie between the kids, the parents, just everything,” she says. “Our whole social network was there.”
One constant during that time was Juliana’s first coach, Brian, who stayed with the team from Kindergarten through sixth grade. That consistency helped make MSI feel like a stable, safe space.
“She was very blessed,” Darlene says. “We were grateful for that consistency. We’re still friends with him.”
As Juliana got older, soccer shifted from something she did on the weekends to something that felt like a core part of her life. The turning point came when she had the chance to move from Rec into the Classic League.
“I definitely felt like when I went from Rec to Classic, it was more of a decision of, ‘Why do I want to continue doing this?’” she says. “Even though Rec was really fun, I wanted to improve my skills and take it to another level.”
Now she plays in the Classic League under Coach Jeremy, surrounded by teammates who share her commitment. “My coach is one of the most advanced I’ve had,” she says. “Some of the girls are more advanced than those I played with in Rec, so it’s been a learning experience. It’s helped me improve, and I appreciate the commitment level of the girls and the coach.”
Alongside MSI, Juliana also plays for her high school team at a small private school, juggling schoolwork, multiple practices, and games. That balance has become one of the biggest benefits in Darlene’s eyes.
“It helps her learn to juggle everything and be a stronger player,” Darlene says. “There were times when she had two practices in one day or two games in a day, and she just made it happen.”
Soccer has also impacted Juliana’s health. She has asthma, and her doctor actually encourages her to play. “Soccer is phenomenal for her because she has to push those lungs,” Darlene explains. “There are days when she plays almost the entire game. Her cardio has improved so much.”
For Juliana, the reason she stayed is simple: “It’s something I was always a part of, and it brought me joy,” she says. “I didn’t feel like it was something I wanted to leave. If I enjoy something, I want to keep doing it.”
Now, soccer is not just a sport, but a reset button. “After school, when I’ve had a rough day, it’s something I can go to,” she says. “I can get my energy out. It gives me a different sigh of relief. It’s kind of like my escape.”
As she looks ahead to college, Juliana hopes to keep playing, ideally at the Division III level, so that she can balance academics and soccer. Whatever comes next, she’ll leave MSI as part of a true generational story and a reminder of what long-term community soccer can do.
