Anita Anwusi, a name that may not yet be widely known to many volleyball fans, has made history as part of Houston’s first professional volleyball team in the United States. A graduate of LSU and a native of southwest Houston, Anwusi’s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to family. As League One Volleyball (LOVB) kicks off its inaugural season in January 2025, Anwusi finds herself living a dream she never imagined—playing professional volleyball in the city where she grew up, just down the street from her family home.
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Her journey to becoming one of the central players on LOVB Houston has not been a traditional one, defying the usual narrative of young athletes who start playing their sport in their early childhood. Instead, Anwusi’s path to the professional volleyball world was shaped by late starts, familial dedication, and a growing passion for the game.
The Unexpected Start: A Late Bloomer in Volleyball
Anwusi’s story begins in Alief, Texas, where she attended Alief Hastings High School. It is not often that athletes of her caliber enter the world of competitive volleyball later than most, but Anita’s story is not one of conventionality. While many volleyball players start as early as 10 years old, with some even receiving scholarship offers before they hit high school, Anwusi was just beginning to explore her athletic potential as a freshman in high school.
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Standing at a towering 6-foot-3 by her sophomore year, Anita’s size naturally drew attention. Teachers and peers often encouraged her to take up basketball, but the physicality of the sport didn’t appeal to her. Instead, she chose volleyball, a decision that would ultimately shape her future. She began playing in middle school, and after her freshman year at Alief Hastings, she joined Southwest Juniors—a local club volleyball team.
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For a while, Anwusi wasn’t sure if her path would lead to a collegiate or professional career. “I was just like, ‘OK, thank you for the encouragement,’” she recalls, reflecting on a coach who initially suggested that she had the talent to play at the Division I level. At first, she dismissed it. However, as she started putting in more effort, studying game film, and practicing consistently, Anwusi began to notice her improvements. The realization that she could pursue volleyball at the next level began to set in.
Family, Determination, and Hard Work
Growing up in a Nigerian household, Anita’s parents were unfamiliar with the American sports system. Their focus was always on academics and ensuring their children achieved success in school. Convincing them to support her burgeoning volleyball career was no small feat. The demands of club volleyball were high—requiring long drives, financial investment, and a significant commitment of time.
Her father, who worked for a security company, and her mother, a special needs teaching assistant, both had demanding jobs. Yet, her parents remained supportive, with her father driving her to practices at Houston Juniors, a club team an hour away from home. To help with the costs of the team, which amounted to $6,700 per season, Anwusi worked at tournaments and fundraised in any way she could.
It was during her time with the Houston Juniors that her potential became undeniable. Kara Pratt, the club’s recruiting director, worked closely with Anwusi, helping her navigate the complicated world of college recruitment. Under Pratt’s guidance, Anwusi’s talent was showcased to some of the best collegiate programs in the country, and her breakthrough moment came during the Lone Star Classic, a premier volleyball event in Dallas. It was here that she caught the eye of top-tier college coaches, including representatives from LSU, Texas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
Anwusi’s athletic prowess, coupled with her impressive jump reach—she could touch 10-foot-7—made her stand out at the tournament. Despite her relatively late start in competitive volleyball, she was quickly recognized as a force to be reckoned with on the court.
College Success: The LSU Years
Anwusi’s college decision was an easy one. She chose LSU, a place where she felt at home and where she could continue to develop her skills. Four hours away from Houston, LSU offered a perfect blend of competitive volleyball and a supportive environment. Her five years with the LSU Tigers were marked by notable achievements, including helping the team reach its first NCAA tournament berth since 2017.
By the time she left LSU, Anwusi was entrenched in the school’s volleyball history. She ranked in the top ten all-time at LSU in block assists, total blocks, and career hitting percentage—an incredible accomplishment for someone who only began her serious volleyball career a few years earlier. She also earned an undergraduate degree in kinesiology and a Master’s in Business Administration, setting herself up for a future beyond volleyball.
However, despite her academic success and growing volleyball resume, Anita was still drawn to her passion for the sport. She received an offer to join LOVB Houston, the city’s first-ever professional volleyball team. This offer marked the beginning of a new chapter in her athletic journey, one that would allow her to play at a higher level while staying close to her family.
A New Chapter: Professional Volleyball in Houston
For Anita, joining LOVB Houston in the league’s inaugural season was a dream come true. “I never thought I could play professional volleyball in the U.S., let alone in Houston,” she says. “Being here and being by my family is what really pushed me to play.” Commuting from her parents’ house to practice six days a week, she has a unique opportunity to develop her game while staying rooted in her hometown.
While she may be one of the less experienced players on the team, with a professional volleyball career just beginning, Anwusi brings a deep sense of gratitude and a passion for learning to the court. She is surrounded by veteran players with international experience, some of whom have competed in the Olympics. For Anita, this is an exciting challenge—one that will help her continue to grow both as a player and as a person.
“I’m not even going to reach my peak until I’m 26 or 27 years old,” Anwusi reflects. This gives her a sense of peace, knowing that her best years are ahead of her. Her goal for this first professional season is simple: to learn as much as possible from her more experienced teammates, improve her understanding of the game, and take every opportunity to grow.
Despite her success and achievements, Anita remains grounded. She dreams of becoming a physical therapist, particularly working with children, and while her professional volleyball career is in full swing, she is eager to see where this new adventure will take her.
Living the Dream
Anita Anwusi’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of family, and the unexpected twists that can lead to success. From a late start in volleyball to becoming a standout player at LSU and, now, part of a professional team in her hometown, Anwusi is living a dream she never thought possible. As she embarks on this new chapter with LOVB Houston, her story is just beginning, and fans are excited to see where her talents and hard work will take her next.
