The Beginning...
I was born in Tampa, Florida and moved to 3 different states by the time I was 3 because my dad played professional football. Eventually we moved back to California, and I started playing tennis when I was 4 years old. By the time I was 9, I was competing on the junior tennis circuit in Southern California. Playing doubles was my favorite, and now that I think about why, it's because I am very social and like being a part of a team.
One day when I was in the 6th grade, my dad came home and told me about a volleyball coach he knew from work, and if I wanted to go to watch. That week he took me to the gym, and I saw all of these junior high and high school girls playing volleyball. It looked like fun and the coach asked me if I wanted to play with them. I wasn't dressed to play, I didn't have kneepads or anything, but I had on tennis shoes, so I said, "Sure, I'll try it." I joined in some drills and the coaches helped me out and then it was time to serve. Serving was just like tennis, but without the racket, so I had a really good serve and I was asked to join a team. I was sold! So at 11, I joined REVOLUTION VBC on the 14s team. Over the next few months there were plenty of tennis vs. volleyball debates in our house because I was spending less time on the tennis court, but what finally convinced my parents to support my volleyball dreams was when I eventually told them "I LOVE VOLLEYBALL, I just play tennis!"
One day when I was in the 6th grade, my dad came home and told me about a volleyball coach he knew from work, and if I wanted to go to watch. That week he took me to the gym, and I saw all of these junior high and high school girls playing volleyball. It looked like fun and the coach asked me if I wanted to play with them. I wasn't dressed to play, I didn't have kneepads or anything, but I had on tennis shoes, so I said, "Sure, I'll try it." I joined in some drills and the coaches helped me out and then it was time to serve. Serving was just like tennis, but without the racket, so I had a really good serve and I was asked to join a team. I was sold! So at 11, I joined REVOLUTION VBC on the 14s team. Over the next few months there were plenty of tennis vs. volleyball debates in our house because I was spending less time on the tennis court, but what finally convinced my parents to support my volleyball dreams was when I eventually told them "I LOVE VOLLEYBALL, I just play tennis!"
Moving to Texas...
When I was 12 years old, my mom received a job offer in Dallas, Texas. My dad was still teaching and coaching football in California, and it was February during the middle of the school year and volleyball club season. It was a huge adjustment moving in the middle of a season! The speed of the game was faster and I didn't know the rotations. I stood on the sideline a lot that year, I cried, but I wanted to play, so I went online and searched for top volleyball players in Dallas and I saw Ebony Nwanebu's website, plus she had a Nigerian name like me! On Ebony's website, it said that Ruth Nelson trained her. Well, that meant I had to find Ruth Nelson. I told my mom, and she said, "Let's send her an email." Coach Ruth evaluated me and began training me. I improved a lot in just a short amount of time, and I was a starting player by July at Nationals that year.
Currently... Back to Cali!
I'm back in Cali and in my junior year! I am verbally committed to play volleyball at Oregon State University! #GoBeavs!!! I love the campus and most importantly have a really good connection with my future Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. I've had the opportunity to do a lot of amazing things through volleyball, like attending the 2012 Olympic Games in London, meeting 5-time USA Volleyball Olympian Danielle Scott, attending USAV HP Beach Camp at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego, mentoring 4-12 year olds in volleyball with BYOP, traveling across the country playing, visiting colleges, and meeting other great people that I look up to in the sport and of course meeting a lot of new friends along the way.
Overall, I have learned a lot about myself by playing volleyball. I have learned to keep setting goals and working to be the best I can be. I've learned to not take criticism personally, but to use it to get better. I've learned the importance of being an ATHLEADER. My definition of an Athleader is a person who loves sports and uses their position as an athlete to be a mentor and give back to their community and younger players. Additionally an Athleader is someone who maintains their true character despite wins and losses and stays committed to being the best they can be both on and off the court.
I hope to be known one day as someone who is extremely successful, and that completely uses and enjoys the gifts that God has given them!
Overall, I have learned a lot about myself by playing volleyball. I have learned to keep setting goals and working to be the best I can be. I've learned to not take criticism personally, but to use it to get better. I've learned the importance of being an ATHLEADER. My definition of an Athleader is a person who loves sports and uses their position as an athlete to be a mentor and give back to their community and younger players. Additionally an Athleader is someone who maintains their true character despite wins and losses and stays committed to being the best they can be both on and off the court.
I hope to be known one day as someone who is extremely successful, and that completely uses and enjoys the gifts that God has given them!