The Athlete’s Connection has named Cy-Fair volleyball player Nneka Ogwumike the All-Star Athlete of the Week. In large part, because of her performance in the Region III 5A tournament, where the Bobcats advanced to the state tournament.

“It’s really exciting, especially with this group of girls," she said. "We work really hard and we mesh well together. So we’re really lucky. We’re just a huge group of sisters you could say. I feel very lucky to go to state with this team.”

Ogwumike had a combined 21 kills in the two games.

Cy-Fair (37-2) won District 17-5A champions and advanced through the postseason defeating other district champions, including Fort Bend Dulles and Memorial.

“We’ve worked very hard. We have an amazing coach (Donna Benotti) who works us hard," Ogwumike said. "When we practice, we practice against each other, and that seems to help us. Everyone on the team is a great asset. And we try not to waste a lot of time.”

The 6-foot-3 senior not only loves and has been successful with volleyball; she also has a love and successful record with basketball. As soon as her volleyball season is over, she will make the transition into basketball, which has already begun.   
 

“It’s very direct as far as time in between," she said. "But the transition is not that hard because I’ve been playing basketball for a very long time. The only problem is getting to know the plays again. Basketball and volleyball are two different tempos, so I might air ball a couple of times, but I get into the groove pretty quickly.”

The basketball forward helped lead the Bobcats to the 5A state finals last year, where they lost in overtime. She is a two-time All-Greater Houston postseason Player of the Year.

“I’ve been playing on this basketball club team for about seven years, it’s called Cy-Fair Shock, and this summer was my last season. And Chiney [Nneka’s sister] played with us for the first time this summer. We’ve been pretty successful over the years.”

One of Nneka’s volleyball and basketball teammates is her sister Chiney. Chiney is two years younger than Nneka and is also very successful in both sports. The sisters support, encourage, and cheer each other on in sports and in life. What they have works and it works well.

“It’s really nice. I get to see how she improves in both basketball and volleyball. It’s like being at home 24/7. I’m glad I get to share this experience with her.”

But Ogwumike will graduate this year and go on to college. She revealed that she had options, but didn’t reveal where, but has made a decision to play basketball.

“I have decided where I’m going, I’m just not saying where at this time. But I am going on a basketball scholarship.”

But before she goes wherever she’s decided to go, there are a few things she wants to accomplish. This weekend she will be competing in San Marcos for the state championship, first against Amarillo in the semifinal round at 7 p.m. Friday. After that, she wants to lead her basketball team to another appearance at the state championship game, and this time get the win.

“We’re going to have to keep our focus. We can’t get too ahead of ourselves," she said. "Right now our focus is Amarillo. We’re going to try to practice as much as we can so we can match up against their defense and offense. We just have to work on little details and fundamentals. It’s those little things that will help us to be successful and move forward in the state tournament.”

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