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Alief Elsik's Nafisat Ozigi
LAYING DOWN THE LAW: Elsik's Ozigi may soon be seen on more than one kind of court // Powered by LOVB
“I was initially drawn to volleyball because of my height and I was looking for a productive extracurricular activity to get involved with,” Ozigi said. “Coming to America when I was about to start eighth grade, then moving here from San Antonio, my Dad really encouraged me to join something in order to ease myself into school life. Once I made the team after tryouts, the rest is history.”
The stars of 2025-26 Alief Elsik VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
Ozigi’s path to the court didn’t begin in a gym, but across the globe. She spent her first 11 years in Nigeria, where school life looked very different.
“I attended a few boarding schools and we didn’t necessarily have competitive sports,” she said. “I’d love to go back and visit sometime after high school because life seemed to be simpler then.”
What she values about her time in the U.S., however, is the connection she’s been able to build.
“There seems to be more interaction between the students, teachers, and coaches,” Ozigi noted. “It’s not so much that we’re seen as peers, but it’s more friendly and there’s an emphasis on the individual relationships.”
Volleyball, she says, has helped anchor her in that process. From communication to accountability, it’s been a space for learning beyond the textbook.
“Teamwork is a major component of the game,” she said. “So, whenever I have projects or assignments that require more than one person, I already have a sense of how to interact with and collaborate with others. Also, it’s helped me to understand the value of taking ownership of what you do, which has made me a better leader, I feel.”
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
That same mindset carries over to the classroom. Ozigi, currently ranked fourth in her senior class at Elsik, is as driven academically as she is athletically.
“It (academics) isn’t always my favorite thing, but I think that’s where my competitive side kicks in; if I want a good grade, I’m going to fight for it.”
As for what comes next, Ozigi sees a future in the courtroom, inspired by someone close to home.
“I see myself pursuing a career in Law, since my Dad isa lawyer and I know the extent of where it can take me.”
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Alief Elsik's Kaden Mendenhall
STUDENT OF THE GAME: How Experience and Drive are Elevating Mendenhall, Alief Elsik
Now entering his final year, Mendenhall stands as the catalyst for a rising Rams program with plenty to prove and even more to gain.
His breakout 2024 season—where he threw for more than 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 343 yards and five more scores—earned him first-team, all-district honors and helped guide Elsik to its first playoff appearance under a new 20-6A district slate.
Yet for Mendenhall, last year was just the beginning.
2025-26 Alief Elsik FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“This year is going to be about execution,” he said. “There were several games last season where we were right there with the other sideline, but we just didn’t seal the deal. Finishing games will be a focal point for us.”
Elsik finished fourth in district play and fell in the first round of the postseason to perennial powerhouse Katy—a program with a long standing tradition of deep playoff runs. That loss sharpened the focus for what’s ahead. With a talented core returning on both sides of the ball, expectations within the locker room are growing—and Mendenhall is leading the charge.
“From my perspective, the biggest thing will be to continue striving to be the best leader I possibly can,” he added. “That relates to body language, and making sure that my actions speak louder than my words.”
Part of Mendenhall’s growth as a quarterback has come from learning how to impact the game beyond his arm. Once more of a pocket passer, he’s added a dangerous element with his legs—something he credits to both personal development and studying the playing styles of dual-threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Jayden Daniels.
“I wasn’t too active with my legs early on, and making that change adds another level to the offense,” he said. “It also allows me to be a little more evasive in the pocket and be able to distribute the ball better.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This summer, Mendenhall took that growth a step further by training alongside recently drafted NFL quarterbacks Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans) and Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns). The experience gave him a window into the demands of the next level—and what it takes to reach it.
“I got to see their work ethic, their leadership qualities, and how they carry themselves when the cameras aren’t around,” he said. “It was incredible to work out with guys who have reached the level I’m hoping to achieve.”
A product of Alief ISD schools since elementary, Mendenhall’s journey has been built in the same environment he now represents under center.
“Being around for the early days all the way to this point, I’ve gotten to see plenty of older guys and role models, and learn from their successes and failures,” he said. “So many people comeback to this community for a reason—and I can see myself doing the same thing further down the road.”
For now, his focus remains locked on the present. And as the 2025 season looms, Mendenhall and the Rams aren’t just hoping for more—they’re preparing to earn it.