Inside the game with … Renee Ibekwe

Make no mistake: Renee Ibekwe is the real deal.

A walk-on turned superstar, Ibekwe has led the UC Davis women’s volleyball team to the program’s highest win total since 2003 with a mark of 11-13, 3-8.

The 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter is a leader in the stat book as well as on the court, pacing the Big West Conference with 3.74 kills per game.

Leading up to the team’s final road trip of the season, Aggie staff writer Matt Miller recently caught up with Ibekwe to discuss the unique start to her career and the team’s success this season.

I heard a rumor you walked on to the volleyball team – is that true?

When I came here initially, I just wanted to go to school here. I loved the school and I told myself if I wasn’t going to play a sport, I would come to Davis because it’s such a great academic school. So when I came here, it felt awkward not playing a sport because I’ve always been at least a two-sport athlete in high school. So I contacted Stephanie Hawbecker [head volleyball coach from 2000-2005] but I didn’t have any film or anything to show her. She let me try out anyways and try to walk on. It turned out to be a year-long tryout.

You tried out for a year?

Yeah, the first time I tried out, I came and practiced and she told me she would let me know right away – like, right after the practice. She talked it over with her assistants and she came out to tell me they saw potential, but they weren’t sure how fast I would learn. Volleyball is very technical, and they didn’t know just how quickly I would progress so they decided they would keep me at practice.

So how did that go?

I did everything at practice that the rest of the team did, and it came to the point that I didn’t even know if I was a part of the team.

I had to go up to Stephanie and ask. Then she asked me, “What do you think?” and I said that I thought I’ve been working hard and that I think I’ve earned it. She said, “Yeah, you’re on the team.“

How well did you make the transition to the college level?

It’s funny because even in the game I catch myself thinking “left, right, left“ in my head. [Assistant coach] Ping [Chou] will look at me and say, “Stop thinking, Renee.“ Each of these techniques are engrained into our heads, and I still get mixed up sometimes. It’s helpful though because I coach now, and I see how important it is to instill those fundamentals to the younger kids because it’s something that even I still struggle with.

You coach, too?

Yeah last year I coached the 14-1s team – it’s a club volleyball team for Davis.

What is the origin of your last name, “Ibekwe“?

Both of my parents were born and raised in Nigeria and we still have a lot of family that lives out there. Actually one of my uncles came down from Nigeria to watch one my games and they were so happy to be able to see me. I really thought that was just amazing.

So you’re a senior now and have been starting for the past two years. You currently lead the conference with 3.74 kills per set? You have to be really proud of that.

I think that’s one thing about me: I‘m really not into gloating. When people tell me about this stuff I just smile and kind of get nervous – I don’t like to deal with all that stuff because you never know what you‘re going to do the next game. You always have to step it up and work just as hard the next game. I always feel like I’m on the bottom every game and I just have to work harder.

Your team just upset Cal Poly. Where does the team go from here?

I think if we continue to play the way we played Cal Poly, we can do anything. I always say, when comparing girl to girl, I think we outmatch the other teams – sometimes the other team just has more experience. And I think every game is in our hands. My sister was watching us the other night and she said, “I think when you guys lose, it‘s like you decide to. But when you play, you can’t be stopped.“

I mean, we kicked Cal Poly’s butt and it was so exciting to see the fear in their eyes. Other teams always see the fear in our eyes but not anymore. We’re defining the way we play and we don’t quit until we finish. Every single point matters, and I think that’s our game.

Is “every point matters“ something head coach Jamie Holmes was trying to instill?

I really think she did bring that idea that every single point on the court matters. She makes practice so hard, but when we get into the game everything seems so easy. And I feel like what helps a lot is that when we were doing well, she is so calm. She knew we were going to beat Cal Poly, but she was so relaxed and calm. It was reassuring for us to have her be so confident in us.

What position on the court should Aggie fans keep an eye out for?

Right now our middles are doing really well. Katie [Denny] is one to watch out for; she is going to be amazing. In practice, you should see her – she can go up and just absolutely annihilate the ball. Also Julie King has been playing awesome.

Any final things you want to say about the team?

I just think we’re a really good team, but we just need that fight, and now we have it.

MATT MILLER can be reached at sports@californiaaggie.com.