In front of the University Heights Academy student body, friends, and family, UHA senior Olivia Oakley signed a national letter-of-intent Friday morning with Division-II Caldwell University.
Oakley, who battled back from a torn ACL and MCL last summer, said she loved the campus and the team at Caldwell. She also credited Cougars Head Coach Hector Colon with continuing to recruit her and check on her throughout her comeback.
Oakley helped lead the Lady Blazers to a school-record 33-3 season and the school’s first Region 2 championship.
Following the season, the outside hitter suffered her knee injury during the travel season.
She returned for her senior season as the only starter back from the region champion team. UHA coach Faye Hendricks, who described Oakley as a “stalwart”, “consistent”, and “fearless”, said Oakley’s leadership and character were needed with a young team that finished 8-22 in 2024.
Oakley began playing as an eighth grader for the Lady Blazers. She finished her career with 1,026 digs, 245 aces, and 814 kills. She was named All-District and All-Region multiple years.
Oakley said if she never stopped working to reach her goal to play college volleyball.
The UHA senior said the Caldwell coaches have told her that she will most likely be a defensive specialist for the Cougars next season.
Photo by Joe Wilson