The Morgan State University volleyball team practice at Hill Field House is anything but lacking intensity. The Lady Bears are hungry for their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in three years. Under the leadership of head coach Ramona Riley-Bozier MSU has gone 271-198 and has won 4 conference championships and has produced a number of MEAC legends such as Kim Wood, Jakaria Stewart, Ja Nina Lee, and Yolanda McGirt.
It looks as though there will be another to join the list of Morgan greats, and her name is Tiffany Oliver. Standing at 6-foot-2, the senior All-MEAC middle blocker is like a fine-tuned Lexus on the court. Sleek. Graceful. Powerful. Last season she helped lead her team with 138 blocks as the team came up shy of the MEAC Championship. This year she returns more determined to lead her team to the promised land.
I spent some time getting to know how Tiffany feels about the upcoming season and learned a little more about the personal side of this phenomenal young athlete.
The Bearkeeper: Who’s the most influential person in your career, and why?
Tiffany Oliver: The biggest influence in my career has been my little sisters, because everything I do is to set a good example for them. One time I thought I was going to quit volleyball altogether, but I wouldn’t do it because I wanted to be a good example for them. I just want to do right by them.
TB: What made you decide to transfer to Morgan State?
TO: I transferred from Univ. of Nevada-Reno because I really didn’t feel like I fit in and my personal and athletic development were being stifled.
TB: What goals have you set for the upcoming season?
TO: Last year I was ranked nationally 18th in blocking, and I know this year I want to be in the Top 10. I just want to go out there and give it my all, all the time, and if my all isn’t good enough, I’ll still know I gave it all that I have.
TB: Overall, how was the transition from Reno to Baltimore?
TO: I transferred basically because I wanted to be around people like me. The adjustment was great. The team was good, the coaching staff was good, and the food is great! I’m from a small town and I’m not used to this type of environment. I’ve always wanted it and it’s a different world. After I did a year at UNR, I decided I was ready to make a change.
TB: Did it seem like you experienced culture shock?
TO: Culture shock. It was more than I expected and I learned a lot about myself by being here. I feel I’ve grown personally, mentally and spiritually by being around my people. I feel that if you can succeed with us, you can succeed anywhere or with anybody.
TB: Were you “All-Everything” during your high school career?
TO: I did not make the team in junior high school, so I was a cheerleader for 6 years, then when I got to high school I was trying out for cheerleading and my mom begged me to play a “real” sport. So I tried it my first year and I was horrible. My second year was pretty bad. By the third year they put me on varsity because of my height and my potential, but I really didn’t do anything. They really just put me on the court so I could get experience and get better. I think my whole recruiting experience was kind of an accident. I just guess I was in the right place at the right time.
TB: Did you fall into Morgan State’s lap, or did they end up finding you?
TO: I found Morgan State. When I was ready to leave UNR I hooked up with a recruiter out of Sacramento, CA and we talked about a couple of HBCU’s and that I wanted to play volleyball. He immediately suggested MSU…”Oh, you have to go to Morgan!” So I didn’t even know this man, but I trusted him and came across the United States …and here I am.
TB: Team Most Valuable Player. What did it mean to you to receive such a great honor?
TO: Team MVP. It’s really neat and it was really unexpected at the athletics banquet when coach was announcing the team MVP award. I thought that it was a shame that the MVP that I thought was going to win was not there. Yet, coach ended up calling my name instead. I was shocked.
TB: What are the plans for the Lady Bears this season?
TO: Championship. We better. The year before I got here they won the championship and ever since I’ve been here we’ve been runner-up. So this better be the year we break the curse and take home a ring.
TB: What do you feel you contribute most to this team?
TO: Blocking is my strength, but more than ever this season I’m ready to lead. I never really wanted to lead a team, but it’s my last year, even though I’d like to play in the future, but I’m ready to help take the team as far as possible.
TB: What motivates you on and off the court?
TO: Ever since I started playing, I felt that I’m too big and too strong to be sorry. I don’t want to be on the bench and just O.K. And as for motivation off the court, I’ll be the first in my family to graduate from college. That’s motivation enough.
TB: What was it like training with the USA Volleyball A2 Team?
TO: I was worked out on the USA Volleyball A2 Team in Lake Placid, NY. It was hard. We had two 4-hour practices each day. To describe the team, we’re like the junior varsity to the Olympics. If anyone needs to move up, we’re it. We learned the "USA Volleyball" technique and way of play. The game is slower and there’s a lot more skill involved, where here we use more athletic ability. There you don’t need to be quick if you know where to put the ball.
TB: From what I understand, you were one of the few minorities participating in the camp.
TO: Actually, I was one of three African-Americans and the first player from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to make the team. The other two were from the University of Florida. We started off with 20 girls and by the end of the camp we were down to a healthy 13. Even though I was tired, hurting and wanted to go home, it made me just keep going so I could prove to them that I was not a fluke selection.
TB: Are you bringing that kind of energy to the court? In practice?
TO: I try to come in with a positive attitude and motivate. Sometimes all people need is a “Come on you can do it.” I don’t want to be a cheerleader because it’s not my style, but I do want to be positive out there on the court. I mean we are trying to win a NCAA Title.
TB: What is something about you that a lot of people do not know?
TO: That I’m a princess (smile).
NOTE: The Bear’s first attack will be on Friday, August 29th when they travel to face Lafayette in first round action of the LaSalle Tournament in Philadelphia, PA.
