GameDay Network

Rising Volleyball Star Kayla Nwabueze's Journey to Harvard

September 8, 2025
Kayla Nwabueze is a 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Michigan bound for Harvard with plans to pursue medicine.

Volleyball runs in the Nwabueze family—Kayla's older sister introduced her to the sport, and this season she'll play alongside her younger sister at Bloomfield Hills High School in Michigan. At 5-foot-11, Kayla anchors the middle as a blocker known for her communication and leadership.

The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Nwabueze has committed to Harvard, where she plans to study pre-med with an eye toward orthopedics. The Ivy League destination reflects her dual priorities: elite athletics and academic rigor.