This article was written by a student writer from TAMU's Her Campus Chapter.
Volleyball player and middle blocker Ifenna Kos-Okpara has racked up some impressive accomplishments during her career at Texas A&M University. She was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice, broke a program record with 14 total blocks against Utah State, and recently participated in the U.S. Women's National Team Open Program. . 2nd grade college year.
How did she get to this point in her career? I reached out to Kos Okpara to learn more about her volleyball journey and how it shaped her into the athlete she is today. I asked him.
Her Campus (HC): So, what made you want to play volleyball in the first place?
Ifenna Kos Okpara (IC): I'm not going to lie. My mom just wanted to keep me and her siblings busy, and volleyball was kind of the last sport we tried before we hit something of a dead end. At one point, I was fencing, playing tennis, swimming, and doing a lot of things just to stay active. Then I started playing volleyball, which I really liked and really enjoyed playing. It was something me and my sister did, so at first it was just a cute, little bonding day until I got more serious.
HC: When did you start playing volleyball?
I C: I started playing volleyball just before I turned 14, so I started playing volleyball at the Y (YMCA) just for fun. From there, he continued to improve, and eventually his coach suggested to his parents that he give club volleyball a try. This is just a little bit more advanced than him playing volleyball at the Y. I'm Mad He started playing for Frog in his 14th year and when you start playing club (volleyball) you usually start when he's about 8 years old or he's 9 years old. 10 and will continue until I graduate, but I think I've pretty much caught up.
HC: You said that you started playing volleyball as part of your club and were late. How was the process from starting late to catching up?
I C: I remember walking into the club building for the first time and being so intimidated because the other girls had started so early. They played with each other for a while and I got into it. So I started on the second team in my 14th year and just tried to get better and just transitioned from recreational volleyball to club volleyball. It's a big jump, so I spent the first year adjusting to the whole thing, getting the hang of it, meeting my teammates and meeting new friends at the club. I can't say it was easy. It wasn't easy to do, but I think overall it helped me become the player I am today. It's like starting from an uncomfortable place and getting the hang of things on your own.
HC: Did you have any plans to play college volleyball or did it just happen?
I C: It was a small incident. All I knew was that high school volleyball was a big stage and club volleyball was an even bigger stage with national recognition. I thought it stopped there until I started receiving letters from the university, but I didn't know this was a problem. Then, recruitment activities actually began. It was scary because I liked the sound of, wow, you can go to school for free just to play volleyball. But I didn't know it was such a big world, and I'm still learning more about volleyball every day. It's still growing as we speak, so when I was only 14 years old, I didn't know it was going to open so many doors.
HC: What did you think when you first joined the A&M volleyball team? Did you get used to it fairly quickly?
I C: Of course, coming in as a freshman, there's always that kind of intimidation knowing there are seniors on the team, some of whom are like super seniors playing their fifth year. Try to get used to it and be a little out of the way, but make sure people are aware of your presence. A lot happened in my first year, but it was fun. I got used to my teammates, the campus, and the whole A&M atmosphere, but I ended up loving it more than I expected.
HC: You recently went to the U.S. Women's National Team Open Program in Colorado. How was that experience?
I C: That was very fun. It was so beautiful and I had never been there before, so I tried to soak it all up and meet new people from other universities as far away as Hawaii. It's crazy to see the best of the best come together and compete against each other. I was so happy to be with everyone else. Playing under Coach Calci and coaching the national team was a completely new experience that I never thought I would have.
HC: A&M volleyball has announced an international tour, but did you ever imagine playing volleyball in different countries as a sophomore?
I C: By no means, all the doors open for you to become an athlete. Just saying I play volleyball at Texas A&M is crazy. During the world tour, we're going to play some matches there, practice and see what volleyball is like in completely different parts of the world, and it's going to be great. All three places we plan to go are beautiful. I've never been to any of them, so I'm really looking forward to it because it's a completely new experience.
HC: That's very exciting, but who would you say is your biggest supporter or role model?
I C: Even though she didn't play volleyball, my biggest role model is my mom. she is very strong She is the epitome of a strong black woman. She is someone I really look up to when I'm having a hard time or need someone to talk to and lean on. It's because of her that I'm sitting here today, and I'm really grateful to her. The biggest supporters are definitely her mother and sister. Just the constant support and love I receive from them. Of course there are brothers, but women are more shocking to me.
Keep an eye on Ifenna Kos Okpala during the 2024 volleyball season and don't forget to cheer on the Texas A&M volleyball team as they compete in Turkey, Croatia, and Italy on their European tour this summer.
