Livy Kowalkowski getting crash course with help of sister Emma

In this extended break for Michigan volleyball players, improving your game in hopes of making it to the next level isn’t exactly easy. Live reps on the court aren’t available, practice time with the team is non-existent, and feedback from coaches is limited. That’s where family has come in very valuable for Notre Dame Prep/Michigan Elite libero, Olivia Kowalowski. The class of 2021 defender has been putting herself through the rigors in recent months, bettering her game with the help of her sister, Western Kentucky’s Emma Kowalkowski. “Emma has been home and working with me on my receiving and passing, while also putting me through some good workouts,” said Olivia, who prefers to go by “Livy”. “This is a very long break and it’s important for me to stay in tune with my skills and still find ways to become a better player. Even if I don’t touch a ball, I can still improve my footwork and endurance. Emma is a great resource to have right now.” Like Livy, Emma worked her way through the Notre Dame Prep volleyball program and helped the Irish win the 2013 Class B state championship before becoming a Hilltopper. Emma has been working with Livy on the finer points of her game, trying to help her sister become college-ready heading into Livy’s final year of prep competition. “In the spring for college players, they really try to rebuild themselves and break the habits they had in the fall. Emma is trying to do that for me now,” Livy said. “We’ve done a lot of video work to identify where I need to improve and what habits I need to change. She’s trying to put me through a typical spring college season while this extended break is happening.” The Kowalkowskis come from an athletic family, as parents Scott and Michele were also standout athletes. Scott had an 11-year playing career in the NFL as part of the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Livy had a chance to watch her sister excel for the Irish and in club volleyball growing up, which drew her to the libero position. “Being a libero, you may not get a lot of recognition because you aren’t getting the kills to end the game, but everyone expects a lot out of you. Having that pressure of wearing the jersey pushes me to be my best,” Kowalkowski said. “There are a lot of intangibles that are needed to play this position and seeing the way Emma played it really made me aspire to play it as well.” Livy has been the defensive foundation for Notre Dame the past two seasons, establishing over 600 digs as a sophomore and as a junior. She joined the Irish varsity team as a freshman during the postseason of 2017 and helped them capture the Class B state championship. “With the athletic family she has, there is just a drive there. There is something in her eyes, a fire for competition. She’s always been easy to coach because she’s a student of the game and has a desire to get better,” NDP coach Betty Wroubel said. “She has a nose for the ball. Reading is really hard at the high-school level, but it seems to come relatively easy for Livy, as it did for Emma. It makes the game a whole lot easier if you know where to be and you’re not guessing.” As her game as progressed each prep season, Kowalkowski has also made the climb up the club ranks at Michigan Elite. She landed a spot with 17 Mizuno this club season, playing alongside fellow standout libero [player_tooltip player_id="50290" first="Rachel" last="Jennings"]. “She is an awesome teammate and is so instrumental in the team’s chemistry,” Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno coach Kristin Eddy said of Kowalkowski. “She is positive, gives great feedback, and brings an energy to the team that is undeniable. She and Rachel are a great combination in the back row and when she isn’t in the rotation, Rachel looks to her for feedback. Their movement is effortless and the court is balanced when the two of them are in together.” Along with her play, what most will notice quickly about Kowalkowski is her personality on the floor. Often with a big smile, Livy is bubbly and energetic with her teammates, trying to provide a fun vibe at key times. “I have always been upbeat and energetic, but for volleyball I think my personality is a good mood-breaker,” she said. “I think players can get worked up during a match, but sometimes it is good to cut that tension so players are a little more loose and not playing so tight. [player_tooltip player_id="39556" first="Maria" last="Famularo"] was great at that for us. She would crack a joke during tense times and that really helped the whole team. I have been trying to fill those shoes since she graduated. I think it’s an important role to have and I think it’s a role that I fit into well.” Wroubel agreed with Livy’s assessment of how her personality fits the Irish program. “She provides a great balance for us and the players,” Wroubel said. “This is an intense program, but she knows when to lighten the players up because maybe we are pressing too much and not performing like we should. She brings that ability to ease the tension and I think it’s been a great gift to our team.” Leadership has been important for Kowalkowski as well. The Irish had just two seniors on the 2019 roster, and Livy was the lone junior. Coming into 2020, she knows her leadership role will be key as the only Class of 2021 member. The Irish have reached Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek each of the last three seasons and Kowalkowski is expecting to be there again this November. “I know there is a lot of motivation for the team right now after getting to the final four last year,” Kowalkowski said of ND Prep. “With most of the team back, we feel like expectations are high. Being the only senior, it’s important for me to be a leader my team can count on. I would really like to go out on a high note as well, so I am excited to see what the season will bring.” Defense will remain a strength for the Irish, as Kowalkowski is joined by Class of 2022 standout [player_tooltip player_id="24842" first="Josie" last="Bloom"] in the back row. The Irish also have promising defenders Elyssa Wallace (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="66295" first="Allison" last="Berent"] (2023) to work with. “I don’t know that there is a better 1-2 punch out there defensively than Kowalkowski and Josie. We have a great group of defensive players and those two have really put a lot into being the best they can and they both feed off each other very well,” Wroubel said. “Livy’s defense is great, but she’s also a great teammate. Being a great teammate is equally important to a team’s success and Liv brings that to our team.”