If you’re a volleyball fan, chances are, you already admire Chiaka Ogbogu. The Texas Longhorns alum was a driving force behind Team USA’s first-ever gold medal win in women’s volleyball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The middle blocker’s powerful presence has brought her numerous laurels on both the international as well as the NCAA stage. A four-time AVCA All-American, Chiaka was also once the Texas University’s record-holder in terms of career blocks.

And yet, she isn’t the only celebrity athlete in the family. Instead, talent runs deep in the Ogbogu household. Chiaka’s cousin’s daughter, Maya Ogbogu, is a rising volleyball star in her own right, blazing her own trail at the high school and collegiate levels.

Chiaka Ogbogu’s kin looking to follow in her footsteps

Maya is a member of the MadFrogs Volleyball Club and has already created quite a ripple as an Allen High School student. According to an article by The Dallas Morning News from 2024, the teenage outside hitter is a “talented area freshman” who has become a crucial part of the Eagles volleyball team. Thanks to Maya’s incredible performance, Allen was a serious title contender in the 6-6A for the first time since 2016.

Chiaka Ogbogu’s young family member is also a MaxPreps All-American and a DFW Newcomer of the Year honoree, which underscores that her skills are indeed en route to catapulting her to brighter days ahead. If things go right, Maya will find herself an NCAA program to commit to in 2028, and with any luck, will soon follow the career trajectory of her Olympian aunt.

With that, we can only speculate that she will bring more honor and pride to the family that already celebrates its roots with enthusiasm.

Reveling in their heritage

Chiaka and Maya Ogbogu’s success is rooted in their strong Nigerian background. Chiaka often speaks proudly of her family’s cultural values and credits her family’s emphasis on work ethic as a key to her achievements. Unsurprisingly, people from the community also didn’t hold back on their celebration after Ogogu returned from Japan with an Olympic gold medal around her neck.

Her parents received jubilant messages from family, friends, and other relatives who were elated to see a Nigerian name on an American jersey. Chiaka confessed that it was emotional as well as humbling to know her achievement inspired not just her immediate family but also Nigerians across the globe. However, Chiaka wasn’t always comfortable in acknowledging her roots.

Growing up in a predominantly white environment, Ogbogu initially felt insecure about her Nigerian name and heritage. However, her father made her understand that her heritage is something to be proud of and that her colleagues should learn to pronounce her name properly. “People can’t aspire to be something unless they see it,” Chiaka Ogbogu now believes.

After an emphatic NCAA run, Chiaka has now kickstarted her professional journey alongside former Texas star Madisen Skinner as teammates at LOVB Austin. But will she also be able to guide her niece to become so celebrated as well? Only time will tell.