Maura Oslosky, future chemical engineering student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, has always found purpose and connection through volleyball. After moving and changing schools, volleyball became a grounding force in her life, helping her adjust and build new relationships. Maura continues to foster that same sense of community by coaching middle school volleyball. Working with younger athletes has shown her the profound influence people can have on each other, reinforcing her passion for mentorship and teamwork both on and off the court.
How did you get started with volleyball? My older sister played first, and we used to pepper together in our driveway. I had so much fun passing with her and it made me want to start playing, too.
Who is your most influential role model and why? My sister has always been a huge role model for me. She’s the reason I started playing volleyball, and she’s always pushed me to be better.
Do you have a favorite tournament experience? My favorite tournament was the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Las Vegas last year.
What’s your pre-game routine? Before games, I like to stretch and listen to my pre-game playlist.
What’s a skill you are currently working on improving? I’m currently working on hitting and back row attacks. It’s an area I haven’t focused on as much, so I’ve been pushing myself to expand my skill set and become more versatile.
How do you mentally reset after a bad game? I try to mentally reset by reminding myself that one bad game doesn’t define me as a player. I focus on what I can learn from it, what to improve, and how to show up more confidently in the next match.
What is the biggest lesson you learned from volleyball? The biggest lesson I’ve learned in volleyball is that mistakes don’t define you. In volleyball, you have to move on quickly or a small mistake can build. You need to adjust fast, stay positive, and focus on the next point.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I love listening to music and I have over 800 playlists.
What are three activities you enjoy outside of volleyball? I enjoy drawing, crocheting, and photography.
Night owl or morning person? Night owl