Intensity At Its Height: The Indian Springs Athletics Feature of Rezi Ubogu

Senior outside hitter, Rezi Ubogu, is one of the most intense volleyball players coming out of Indian Springs. Her fierce personality comes out whenever she’s on the court. There’s no doubt that her love for the sport shines through every play, whether that means chest-bumping her teammate after getting a  monstrous kill or screaming which zones of the court are open to whoever is hitting.

“It’s no secret that I’m loud. It runs in my family,” Ubogu said. “I come from a long line of really vocal and expressive individuals, some of which are Nigerian. I think having a significant court presence is what sets those that want to fight for the point from the ones that don’t.” 

Ubogu has a bubbling and energetic personality but means business the second she steps onto the court. Standing at 5-foot-6, Ubogu is full of enough intensity and energy to pull the fire and drive out of her teammates, which she thinks is the reason why she received the nickname “The Dragon” during her sophomore year at Indian Springs. 

“I’ve been told that I look intense while I’m playing and I’m okay with that,” Ubogu said. “I love to smile, yell, and cheer on and off the court, but you will always see me with my game face on when I’m on the court or even preparing for a game. This intensity comes from my love of the sport and the desire to treat volleyball with the respect it deserves.” 

Indian Springs Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director, Christina Tetzlaff, has worked with Ubogu since her freshman year and encourages the attitude that she brings to the table. 

“Rezi is an ultimate competitor. She is fierce on the court and never quits. She gives her all every play of every game. Her preparation is incomparable to most. She is in the gym whenever possible to improve her personal skills and to help improve her teammates' skills. Her love and passion for the sport of volleyball are infectious. So many of her teammates look up to her. She is a phenomenal senior team captain!”

Indian Springs Volleyball Assistant Coach, Tessa Magnuson agrees and states that "Rezi's passion and dedication for the sport and the team are unparalleled."

It’s beyond clear that Ubogu is not only passionate about the sport but also very talented. During one of her more recent games against Midfield on September 29, Ubogu racked up an average hitting percentage of 0.733, where anything over .300 is considered excellent and 0.200 is considered average. She also has repeatedly hit the ten-foot line during her more recent games, which is one of the most difficult shots in volleyball. This shot has become a favorite of hers and she is a big fan of all of the strategic placement and timing that comes with her position. 

“I just love hitting,” Ubogu gushed. “It’s an acquired skill that took me a little while to get the hang of but now, as my setters know, once I get set that perfect ball, I’m ready to rip it”. 

Ubogu stands as one of the strongest offensive and defensive players on the team and her court awareness, athleticism, and ability to adjust while in midair are beyond impressive. Her reflexes are killer and she admits to having done some crazy contortions to get a ‘dig’. 

Ubogu comes from an athletic family with her older brother, Kome ‘21, currently playing soccer at the University of Virginia. Additionally, her dad played college soccer for Imperial College School of Medicine and Imperial College London, United Kingdom. Her mom was a high-level gymnast throughout her high school career at Huron High School. 

“I’ve done the splits before to get a dig and I’ve done a somersault too but I’m not sure if that’s what you would classify it as,” Ubogu chuckled, “My mom was a gymnast in high school so I think that I inherited some of my flexibility from her.” 

Ubogu started playing volleyball when she joined the middle school team at Prince of Peace, where she attended from third grade to eighth grade. Because of her athleticism, vertical leaping capabilities, and speed, Ubogu was originally placed as a middle blocker and right side, but after setting during her sophomore season, she realized that the outside was calling her name. 

“I love playing as an outside. I’m not the tallest on the court by far but I love to get up there and swing away. You get to do a little bit of everything– defense, blocking, back row and front row attacking, setting out of system– you name it and an outside can do it.” 

Ubogu is still looking at her options but would like to compete at the next level as long as she can continue her other passions. She looks forward to the soon arriving club volleyball season.

When asked about Ubogu, teammate Mary Helen Grayson ‘24 said, “Rezi is what it means to be a fearless leader. She is beyond selfless and always wants what’s best for the team. Because she doesn’t ever want to be at a disservice to her team, she works hard, fights for every single point, and goes for every ball, regardless of where it ends up. There’s a saying, “ball before the body”, that we like to say before games, and I believe that Rezi lives by those words.”