Entering her final season of high school volleyball, Notre Dame multi-year starting senior outside hitter Olivia Cox is expecting a deep postseason run.
Cox, who has played travel along with high school volleyball for seven years, helped the Bulldogs win a district championship her sophomore year and extended the program’s streak of 20-win seasons to six last fall.
Over the years, Olivia has played club volleyball for not only the locally renowned program Pursuit, but she also used to play up in St. Louis for Rockwood Thunder Elite.
With all of her playing experience while standing at 6-foot-2, it’s easy to see why a player like Cox has been a dominant force on the court for Notre Dame since she was a sophomore.
“If you’re tall, you can play volleyball,” Cox said. “I’m pretty tall, but I stopped playing basketball, so I tried volleyball. My mom coached the team, so I ended up loving it and kept doing it.”
“I’ve been playing volleyball for a long time, and I feel like we have a really good shot of making it far this year. I have a lot of other good seniors with me, too, and I think we can do a lot of good things.”
In this year’s senior class with Cox are her classmates like hitter Morgan LeGrand, setter Sara Hulshof, libero Carlie Shamoun, BreAnn Riney and Xavana Valera.
As a junior, Olivia finished second on Notre Dame in kills with 224, while she also had the third-most aces with 36 and was fourth in total blocks at 21.
Outside of these Bulldogs, Notre Dame also brings back juniors such as middle hitter Payton Lynch, who led the team in kills (317) and blocks (55), Sophie DeJournett and Jessi Iwuchukwu.
“We all work together. We’ve been coming in the gym out of season and everything, too. We all push each other and all work together.”
Rightfully so following last season, Cox was named Class 4 District 1 First Team All-District along with Lynch.
Not only has it been a sport Cox has exceeded at, but she’s truly grown a love for the sport and learned a lot about herself while playing.
“I like the fast-game style — it’s like there’s always something to be doing,” Cox said. “You’re always going and it’s like the perfect mix of every sport. You have to be super athletic to play.
“What I’ve really learned is that volleyball isn’t just a sport — I’ve found my best friends through volleyball. It really brings out like a different side of me — the competitive side — and it holds me and my teammates accountable to be the best players we can.”
Even though Cox has become one of the better players in Southeast Missouri, this will be her final season of competitive volleyball at the moment.
That makes this season that much more special to Olivia.
“I’m trying to come to terms that it’s my last year of high school volleyball, and I don’t think I have yet,” Cox said. “I don’t think I’m going to be playing in college, so it’s really going to be hard for me to transition out of volleyball.
“I believe we can make this season the best — a really good one. I want people to remember I was a good time and funny person to be around. I want them to also remember I was a good leader for our team and that I set a good example for the younger folks.”
If anyone can attest to the legacy Cox is going to leave as one of Notre Dame’s top players in program history, it’s head coach Meridith Brinkmeyer.
While Olivia has been one of the best talents Brinkmeyer has coached, Cox impacts this program in many different ways than just on the court.
“Coming in as a freshman, Olivia has just grown so much as a player with her knowledge of the sport with just the time that she’s put in,” Coach Brinkmeyer said. “She’s such a great team player — she wants everybody to have their opportunity on the floor. When she gets to her feet to the ball, she goes up strong, but she’s a smart hitter and knows where to place it, too. She gets other teams off their game.
“My favorite thing about coaching Olivia is her personality — she’s goofy,” Coach Brinkmeyer laughed. “She likes to be silly and is always joking around, and she’ll definitely make you laugh. If you’ve having a bad day, just talk to Olivia, and she’ll definitely turn that around.”
This is what someone like Cox has takes pride in as she had to step up as a leader last fall.
Being the light for her teammates has not only taken her far in volleyball, but it’s a trait that will take Olivia far in life as well.
“I definitely know how to have a good time, but I also know when to take it pretty serious on the volleyball court,” Cox said. “I always have something to say on the court to bring up people’s spirit. If they made an error, I’m going to help them and make them laugh.”
