For Olivia Algard, volleyball has always been about more than what happens between the lines. It has been about finding people, creating memories and discovering a place to belong.
The Kempner outside hitter was born in Sweden, where she still has plenty of family and a deep connection to her roots.
"I speak Swedish at the house," Algard said. "I always talk about it with my friends. It's a very beautiful place. I have so much family there."
Algard still returns to Sweden for vacations, making sure the connection to her birthplace remains strong even as Texas has become home.
Her journey to Texas came with a major adjustment. When Algard first arrived in the United States, she didn't know a single word of English.
"I was in kindergarten crying all day because I couldn't understand anything," she said.
But it didn't take long for the young Algard to find her voice. She picked up the language quickly, and before long, she was finding another way to communicate—through volleyball.
That passion began in third grade when she joined a church league. From there, the game continued to grow into something much bigger. She eventually joined a club program, and volleyball became a central part of her life.
Today, Algard can't imagine her life without it.
"The connections you make with people and the memories you make," she said. "That's what I love about it."
And she's not limiting herself to just one version of the sport. Outside of indoor volleyball, Algard plays beach volleyball, an experience she believes has helped expand her game and make her a more complete player. She's hoping to continue playing beach volleyball at the collegiate level.
"It's a whole different game than indoor," Algard said. "It opens my range of volleyball. In the sand, you have to play every position, which makes you a very versatile player on the court."
That versatility is important for an outside hitter, but Algard's biggest growth may come from learning how to manage the expectations she places on herself.
"I try my best, but I'm very hard on myself," she said. “It’s something that I need to get better at. It’s impossible to be perfect, but that is just how I’m programmed.”
Being the oldest of three children has also helped shape her approach. Algard understands that her younger siblings are watching her, and she takes that responsibility seriously.
"I'm the oldest of three," she said. "I show them the way. I try to be a good example for them to follow whether it be in sports or just in everyday life."
That leadership doesn't necessarily have to come from being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it comes from setting an example, working hard and showing up every day.
And when Algard needs inspiration, she doesn't have to look far. Her grandmother holds that special place in her life.
"My grandma is my biggest inspiration," Algard said. "I love her a lot. I’m her favorite and we just have a really special bond. She lives in Sweden so I don’t see her much, but our connection is strong."
Away from the court, Algard is a fan of romance movies and shows, with rom-coms among her favorites. She also listens to Lana Del Rey, giving her plenty of ways to unwind when volleyball takes a back seat.
But ultimately, volleyball remains her passion.
From a little girl in Sweden who arrived in America unable to speak English to a confident outside hitter dreaming of playing beach volleyball in college, Algard's story is one of finding her place.
She found it on the court. And she plans to keep going.