No.1 Recruit '28 Maya Ogbogu Talks Dream Team

Honestly, it's a shame that we still have three more seasons until Maya Ogbogu is eligible to play collegiately – especially considering she is already competing at that level despite being only a freshman. A 6-0 outside hitter out of Plano, Texas, if her last name sounds familiar it’s because it also belongs to Texas Alumni and Olympian, Chiaka Ogbogu – who is her mother’s cousin. Maya plays in a way that makes the game look both effortless yet unbelievable at the same time; even in a gym of the top talent in the nation, she is an instant standout. Her lethality as an attacker can be owed to her explosive approach, bouncy vertical (10’7.5 touch), and whip of an arm; an intricate culmination of inconceivable athleticism that often results in 10ft bounce kills. But while her pure power is enough to simply will kills into existence at the club level, her prowess as an attacker isn’t merely attributed to athletic abilities. What allows her to be so terminal is her heightened court vision and volleyball IQ as she goes to attack, reading the opposing defense like a book. In a milliseconds notice, she deduces whether to hammer it down the line or opt for a roll-shot in her vast toolbox. She treats the block like her friend rather than enemy, tooling high hands or simply elevating over them entirely. The enticing nature of her game has quickly amassed a large following for her on social media, and she has quickly become a highly-regarded figure in the volleyball community at a mere 15 years old. She’s so popular that even girls she competes against in club tournaments will often stop and ask for pictures, knowing that they just crossed paths with a future figurehead of USA Volleyball. 

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Maya hasn’t just caught the public's attention, but the critics as well – named PrepVolleyball Player of the Year, a MaxPreps All-American, and Newcomer of the Year. Wherever she goes, success follows –  her Madfrog team are 3x Triple Crown Champions and took gold in the 2021 USAV Girls Junior Championship. Not only that, as just a freshman, Maya was a key contributor to Allen High School's  first state semifinal since 2006 – having had two 6A Division tournament matches with 29 kills. In her first season alone, she posted a staggering 506 kills (4.2 per set), on a .324 clip; a pure testament to her value and efficiency as an attacker. In addition, she added 193 digs, 57 blocks, and 32 assists, emblematic of her all-around game as a six-rotation star. Frankly, It’s not a bold statement to say that Maya Ogbogu is not just the best player in her class, but the best in the entire country, regardless of age. As she embarks on her final year before her commitment period opens up, Maya has begun her college camp circuit – and where better to begin than the epicenter of volleyball itself, Nebraska. I asked the young phenom about her experience at Dream Team Camp, current players she bonded with, what she took away from it, and if she resonated with the overall culture and atmosphere. Trust me, Husker Nation – this is someone you definitely want to see in scarlet and cream. 

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Q: What did you expect going into it, and did it meet or exceed those expectations?

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A: I’ve always heard a lot of positive things about the Dream Team camp so I expected it to have a lot of great coaching and a lot of top tier talent from all over the country. It not only met my expectations, but it exceeded them. The level of talent here was extraordinary and the coaching was fantastic!

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Q: Are there any current players you formed a relationship with, did you take anything away from their coaching?

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A: Yes, I loved meeting coach T (Teraya) and Coach Harper. They were both very engaging and shared very valuable tips that I will use to improve my gameplay. Their competitiveness and confidence was very contagious!

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Q: How did the culture and overall atmosphere resonate with you?

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A: The culture is unbelievable! I instantly felt a strong sense of community and pride throughout the town. The atmosphere in Nebraska was one of a kind and the feeling of GO BIG RED is alive and well!