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Alief Taylor's Omotola Oguns
"LOWERCASE" LEADERSHIP: Oguns emerges as a defining presence in Alief Taylor Volleyball // Powered by LOVB
This fall, Oguns is among the handful of returners expected to help push the program forward — not just with her play, but with the experience and perspective she’s accumulated in the short span of her career.
“In order for us to see that kind of success again, it’s going to require a similar level of connection that we still have, if not more so,” she said. “We’re already really close with each other, so now it’s just about how we work out the kinks, stay in tune, and build on that connection.”
2025-26 Alief Taylor VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
That team-first mindset has been a major part of Oguns’ development. She cites confidence as the area where she’s grown most — not just in her individual ability, but in how she understands the dynamics of the game and what drives team performance.
“Coming into the game, I didn’t always have that level of assurance in my ability that I do now,” Oguns said. “The reason I’ve been able to address that, I think, relates to the chemistry with my teammates and figuring out what makes each of us click.”
Oguns’ foundation extends beyond the court. Her older sister, Oluwabusola Oguns — a former Taylor volleyball player now attending Texas State University — remains a steady influence in her life.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
“After God, I’d definitely say that my sister has been one of the more impactful figures for me,” she said. “Even after the two years we spent here together, she’s still giving me advice when it comes to classes and how to balance volleyball with my education and social life. Her experience has become mine, in a way, and that’s not something I take lightly.”
It’s also how she earned her nickname, “Lowercase.” During their overlapping time at Taylor, the pair was known as “Mini-O” and “Big O,” a reference to the first letter of their names. Eventually, the shorthand evolved into something uniquely hers — a symbol of both connection and individuality.
When she’s not on the court, Oguns competes in the shot put during track season and stays sharp by bingeing her favorite shows — from Avatar: The Last Airbender to Attack on Titan.
Heading into her final season, Oguns brings the kind of perspective that can’t be coached — earned over time, shaped by family, and sharpened by the game itself.
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Alief Taylor's Kearstyn Spears
MASTER CHEF: Spears the key ingredient to Taylor revival
However, her skill-set began production long before stepping onto varsity as a sophomore.
“I’ve played volleyball since I was about four years old, and joined AAU when I was nine,” she said. “So, I’ve been in the volleyball industry for almost all of my life. One of the things that I’ll take from this high school experience is probably the chemistry I’ve built with my teammates, and the ones I’ll have in the future.
“The actual skills I’ve learned throughout from my coaches is something else I appreciate, especially with the amount of time they’ve dedicated to my development.”
2024-25 Alief Taylor VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
Said development could lead to this senior Lion finding herself on a collegiate court someday.
“I just visited Dillard University (New Orleans), and I did like it,” said Spears. “So, I’m going take that route, and hopefully make my way towards a scholarship to play there. In terms of a career, I want to enter nursing school.
“At Taylor, I’m in the Health Science program and we do clinicals at the local hospital, so I’m very interested in that pathway. I know that’s a tough field to get into, especially if I’m going to be playing volleyball, which means time-management is going to be big for me.”
If that wasn’t enough to prove how multi-talented she is, Spears undertakes an additional hobby on the side.
“During my free time, I like to bake,” Spears said. “I can make a few dishes, but I usually tend to stick with desserts. My best is my ‘monkey-bread’ – a type of banana bread – that I make when I can.”
But, back to volleyball.
While Taylor has gone through somewhat of rough patch in recent years, a change in scenery with a new district, paired with the mentality that Spears shares with her teammates could prove to be the definitive factor in their return to the postseason.
“It’s definitely going to take some hard work and determination,” she said. “As a team, I don’t think we were confident enough and I feel like we just gave up too soon. But, this is my senior year. I don’t want to go winless in the district again. Therefore, we need to work hard for it.”
The first serve will be here in an instant, so expect this group to make their case to re-enter the district conversation with the leader it needs.