Olivia Chojnacki found the fit and change she wanted on the Centre College volleyball team.
Olivia Chojnacki knew her freshman season at Centre College would be a learning experience but the Texas native did play in five matches. She hoped that would lead to bigger things her sophomore season in 2024 but in Centre’s spring game her freshman year she injured her knee.
“I jumped for a ball, landed wrong and tore my ACL. I had surgery about a month later and then it was a long rehab process,” she said. “I missed the entire season in 2024 because it took almost a year to get cleared to play again. That was my first big injury and I hope my last one and it was definitely tough but I also saw that as an opportunity to support my team and congratulate them on their accomplishments.”
Centre had a historic 2024 season finishing 22-7, reaching the Southern Athletic Association Tournament title game and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
“All that was super cool to watch even from the sidelines,” she said. “Those were my teammates and I wanted them to do well but it also let me know I had to come back stronger than ever before. It was weird not being able to be out there to help but I also knew my supporting role was important.
“I think I learned how to be an even better teammate and good person even though I could not play,” the Centre junior said.
She’s back playing this season and has played 16 sets in seven matches and has 78n assists for the Colonels (7-5).
Centre coach Patrick Robidoux first saw her play in a tournament in Nashville. She did not want to go to college in Texas and after a tour of the Centre College campus knew she had found the right location and volleyball team.
“I had never really been away from home. I am an only child and just wanted to go do something fun and be on my own a little bit,” Chojnacki said. “I had never really heard of Centre when he first recruited me. I just kept an open mind on my visit. My graduating class at The Woodlands in Texas was around 1,200 people. All of Centre is about 1,400. I was ready for a change and I was very attracted to attending a smaller school. I loved the idea of being able to know everybody I would be graduating with.”
Robidoux sold her on the Centre culture and volleyball core values of grit, grind and growth. She felt that culture was special and something she could embrace.
“I’ve worked really hard to get back to where I could play and my teammates have been nothing but supportive along the way. They’ve all watched me put everything into the past year just to be back this year,” Chojnacki said. “I learned to never take anything for granted and just go out every day with an open heart and open mind and do the best I can.”
Chojnaki is a psychology major. Her original goal was to be a veterinarian but after spending a year in physical therapy due to her knee injury. Now she’s hoping to become a physical therapist and help others like Danville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine did for her during her rehab. She said therapist Holli Hester Hover “changed my life dramatically in ways she will never understand” during her treatment.
“I am just glad to be back playing and doing what I can to help my team,” the Centre junior said.
