Onyegwu’s love for volleyball has taken her far

A lot of youngsters experiment with a variety of sports as they settle into the one they love the most.

But it didn't take long for Mirabel Onyegwu to realize that volleyball was her sport.

"The first time I stepped onto the court for the Scorpion Spikers I was immediately captivated by the energy, teamwork, and discipline. It quickly became my favorite place to train," said the 17-year-old Weatherford College freshman from Nigeria. "Scorpion Spikers created time for me, they trained me, taught me and built me into the person I am today."

Onyegwu was only 6 years old then. That passion has continued as she grew up a military child.

"I grew up in Mambilla Barracks, known as a military zone, where discipline and orderliness are strictly abided to," she said. "It shaped me into a very respectful and obedient person."

At age 14 she was recruited by the chief of the Nigerian Navy to play for that team.  It soon became evident during her three years playing for the Navy that she has the talent to play at an even higher level.

Enter the Sports Bridge Foundation. It is an organization that empowers young talents, promoting gender equality, and driving community development through sports. 

With the support of the foundation, she was connected to international opportunities, showing how grassroots commitment can lead to global success. Thanks to their efforts, she secured a scholarship to play volleyball and study at Weatherford College. 

"Mirabel has been an impressive addition to the team. She is the youngest in age, but has brought a lot of experience and raw talent to the gym," WC head coach Kailee May said. "It has been fun to watch her confidence grow since she's been here on and off the court. 

"The team has really gravitated towards her and helped her assimilate, which has been special to see."

Among her success prior to coming to Weatherford are playing in such spotlighted competition as The Women's African Club Championship in Tunisia, The Girls Under-17 African Nations Championship in Nigeria and The Zone 3 Nations Cup in Benin Republic. Awards include being named MVP of the Nations Championship, along with Best Attacker at the Zone 3 Nations Cup.

Onyegwu said she chose Weatherford College because of its strong academic program in nursing, which aligns with her career aspirations. 

"The Weatherford College campus and location also resonated with me, offering a supportive environment for personal and academic growth," she said. "I'm studying nursing because I'm passionate about learning and helping. I'm excited to develop the skills and knowledge needed to pursue my nursing career."

In the meantime, though, she has her sights set on helping the Coyotes win a fourth consecutive conference championship and once again compete for a national title. They've finished in the top 10 each of the past two years.

"Playing in America has already started improving me. I have been here for just a month and I can tell how my play drastically improved," she said. "It's an opportunity for me to grow both personally and professionally. I'm excited to learn more and have experiences from a new cultural environment."

She would also love to represent her home country in an upcoming Olympics.

"Playing for the Nigeria National Team and potentially participating in the Olympics has always been a dream of mine. I'm passionate about giving my best and making my country proud," she said. "To achieve this, I've been working hard on my training, honing my skills and staying focused on my goals. 

"Representing Nigeria on the international stage would be an honor and I'm committed to putting in the effort required to make it happen."