By Adesina Soyooye
When the United States of America’s Volleyball Olympics Team, 12 in number, files out in Turkey with its intimidating squad, one of the most prominent members, who would play her heart out to make her country, USA, proud, is Chiaka Ogbogu.
Her parents are Nigerian-Americans. Her father, Uzor Ogbogu, a Medical Doctor, is from Anambra State. Her mother, Adaku Vicky Ogbogu, an accomplished entrepreneur, is from Owerri (Emekuku), Imo State.
Their daughter, Chiaka, is a phenomenon. A born star, she stands at six feet, two inches, and is like air when she is on duty in the Volleyball field.
While on duty, she is described as Supersonic, because that’s what her speed is.
Her parents cannot quite pinpoint how she started and became a world star, but Ogbogu, the first of their three children has always made them, particularly, proud.
A combination of beauty, brain, brawn and talent, she attended the University of Texas, Austin, UTA – a University meant for only the best. You get admitted only if you are among the first ten in your class and other examinations from high school. She made that and, studied Kinesiology, prior to her studying Medicine, like her father, after she finishes with sports.
Before she hit both National and International status, Ogbogu was a Coppell and Texas volleyball Star.
She led Coppell to two State titles, and was a University of Texas phenom.
Ogbogu has since turned professional, and has plied her trade in a couple of countries, including Italy, Poland and Turkey. In all countries, she is a huge star.
The 26-year old is a middle blocker. She has been a member of the U.S. National team since 2018.
Ogbogu, in a brief on her, “led Coppell to State titles in 2011 and 2012.
“She was named the Gatorade Texas Volleyball Player of the Year in 2012. And had 486 kills and 144 blocks as a senior at Coppell.
“She went on to play at Texas, where she was a three-time AVCA All-American and the 2017 Big 12 Player of the Year. She left UTA as the school’s record holder in career blocks.”
Ogbogu is expected to be a hit at the Olympics in Turkey.
Her parents’ prayers: That she makes her country, USA, proud by coming home from the Olympics with a Medal – hopefully, Gold.
