Part of the Family

Oct. 30, 2015

By Cody Soto
Baylor Bear Foundation

Tola Itiola had a tough freshman year at Baylor. But, it had nothing to do with her adjusting to college or the huge step up to playing Division I athletics.

Tola Itiola

It was about finding a close-knit family that would help the volleyball middle blocker get through anything life threw at her.

Tola lost her mother, Nike Itiola, the same year she moved to Waco to play for Baylor. Heading into one of the most pivotal points in her life, she had to deal with an almost unbearable loss.

"It was a very hard year," she said. "A lot of things I learned going through that has helped me. The mental toughness I learned going through that has helped me in a lot of different aspects of my life."

Instead of using the situation in a negative way, Itiola was able to lean on her new teammates and heal. It didn't take long for Itiola to feel the team's encouragement around her, she said.

Although Itiola's father still lives in her home country, Nigeria, she stayed close to him and her younger sister, Mofe, a student at nearby TCU.

"I felt the huge Baylor family, which was one of the things that brought me here," Itiola said. "And (I felt) my family, just us rallying together, I learned a lot. That's just helped me grow as an individual."

Two years later, new Baylor head coach Ryan McGuyre has noticed her dedication and the camaraderie she's developed with her teammates.

"She's finding a new swagger, a new sense of confidence," McGuyre said. "She plays at a level above anyone else on the team right now and she's realizing how special she is and wants to take advantage of it. She's one we expect to get the ball to."

Senior setter Amy Rosenbaum says the strength of Itiola's character shines through her style of play.

"I've seen her blossom into this crazy athlete," Rosenbaum said. "She's really impressed me with how she has behaved and really committed to what Coach McGuyre was talking about."

Although Itiola didn't have an easy transition into college, her mother's death has allowed her to become an integral part of the Baylor family.

"I got to grow in my relationships with different people, and they really helped me and invested in me," Itiola said.

In 2013, Itiola came to Baylor volleyball as one of the highest-rated recruits in program history. The 6-foot-2 junior transitioned from never playing the sport of volleyball before eighth grade to being a part of the Skyline Juniors club team during her high school career. She was first encouraged to give the sport a try by her mother, who had watched American Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor.

"(My mom) told me and my sister, you guys should try it. So, we did," Itiola said.

If you watch her play on the court, you probably would never guess that Itiola has only been playing volleyball for seven years. While she is still "increasing her volleyball IQ," Itiola's teammates like how she is using her God-given height and reach to make a difference on the court.

"Oh, she's a freak. She gets up there," senior middle blocker/right side hitter Adrien Richburg said. "Tola is so great. I can't even explain how much she's transformed from her freshman year. She is just such a force on the court. When she max jumps, it's like out of this world. And she can put the ball away when she kills it, too."

Itiola embraces the freak-ish adjective. She thrives on it.

"It makes me smile, because it just makes me know that if I continue to play to my potential, then I can be really competitive and really bring something to this team," she said.

McGuyre also sees the special talent that Itiola brings to the team. Her ability to elevate and play offense and defense quickly makes her a dominant player, he said.

"Tola can take over a match," McGuyre said. "Once she's all-in, she can max jump. Because she elevates so well, she can take away a lot of angles and a lot of court for us. When she blocks great, it really takes us to the next level."

Itiola passed her 200th career block earlier this season and has one of the highest hitting percentages on the team (311). Her accuracy and consistency show she's committed to McGuyre's system, Rosenbaum said.

"She recently touched 10-9 ½, so that was cool to see her grow physically and as an athlete," Rosenbaum said. "She has blossomed into this beautiful, confident player, and I think she's on her way."

Now part of a tight-knit Baylor family, Itiola is hoping to help the Bears (14-8, 2-6) earn their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2011. Like she says, the team is dreaming big.

"I think dreaming big has really brought an excitement to the team," Itiola said. "Even in practice, (Coach McGuyre) always talks about how today is our best practice ever. It just helps us set the goals high and dream big and accomplish big things."

Part of the Family

Players Mentioned

Tola Itiola

Tola Itiola

Adrien Richburg

Amy Rosenbaum

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Part of the Family

Players Mentioned

Tola Itiola

Tola Itiola

Adrien Richburg

Amy Rosenbaum

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