The Texas volleyball team has practiced this entire preseason without two-time All-American middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu, who is away from the team to focus on academics.
A team spokesperson said Ogbogu is eligible but “working through some academic issues.” Longhorn Network reported Ogbogu’s absence on Friday, though speculation began swirling last week when Ogbogu was missing from the team’s official photo. At the time, a team spokesperson said Ogbogu was dealing with a personal issue and “wasn’t able to be there that day.”
It is unclear if Ogbogu will return for next weekend’s season-opening VERT Challenge in Eugene, Ore. There, the Longhorns will face Oregon on Friday before squaring off against Nebraska a day later in a rematch of last year’s NCAA title match.
If available, Ogbogu, a 6-2 senior from Coppell, is a contender for Big 12 and national player of the year. Last year, she traded off with fellow All-American Molly McCage and posted 2.76 kills per set while hitting .402 percent.
