Broken Arrow’s Aliyah Owens
By Elizabeth Contreras
For Aliyah Owens, volleyball wasn’t always the obvious choice. Starting out in gymnastics and track, Owens says she never felt that “spark.” It wasn’t until a clinic at the University of Tulsa did she discover an appreciation for the sport her mom once played.
“I think I just clicked with volleyball,” she says. “The adrenaline of the game is addictive.”
Today, she proudly serves as a setter and right-side hitter on her team, both roles that require the ability to lead confidently. “As a setter, you run the plays and control the flow of the game, and I like stepping up to lead my team. As a right side, I love blocking. The feeling of a good block is indescribable.”
Outside of the team’s stat sheet, their sisterhood is what she treasures most. “There is never a time when you will see us blaming each other on the court,” Owens shares. “Our vibrant energy fuels us. Owen shares that the entire team holds a close friendship, and that their connection on the court is tremendous.
“A good teammate isn’t just a good player but a person who has your back no matter what,” she reflects.
Leadership is something Owen says she had to work for. Having played on varsity as a freshman, she once felt timid about guiding other players. Over the years of gaining experience, her perspective has shifted.
“Leading doesn’t require an age but a good heart,” says Owens.
For Owens, her close friend Hailey Robl embodies exactly what it means to have a good heart. “Hailey is our libero, and her calm energy on the court is effective in intense matches,” she explains. “She is always there to pick someone up or remind you of your talent.”
The team thrives on a balance of competitiveness and connection, pushing each other to be better while maintaining the kind of trust and friendship that keeps them united. “I think a good teammate is someone who can always see the good in things, someone who steps into roles and is selfless,” Owens points out.
Volleyball has evolved for Owens, and now it’s where she found her voice as a leader, her closest friendships, and a place that feels like home.
