Heading into the first round-robin games of University Athletic Association (UAA) play, a game format where every team plays against one another in one weekend, the Emory University volleyball team currently holds an 8-2 record, which has earned the team an eighth-place national ranking. A huge reason for the Eagles’ recent success has been star senior setter Olivia Rabinowitz.
Since her freshman year in 2022, Rabinowitz has been a key player for the Eagles. She averaged 9.46 assists per set in her first season, finishing second in the UAA in that category. As Rabinowitz gained more experience, her game improved, and she set career highs in matches played, 32, and total digs, 195, during her junior season. Rabinowitz’s stellar performance led her to make the All-UAA Second Team last year.
Rabinowitz’s assist totals have added up over the years. In 331 sets played, she has recorded 2,020 assists and has led the team in total assists in all four of her seasons. She also recorded a career-high 49 assists earlier this year in a five-set victory against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.). While her individual numbers are undoubtedly impressive, Rabinowitz credited her teammates for her statistical success.
“We have opponents that have very tough serves,” Rabinowitz said. “So for the passers to be able to give me a pass and for the hitters to trust me that I could give them a ball where they can swing and terminate the rally, it’s just a really awesome feeling.”
Senior outside hitter and defensive specialist Kate LaRocco has shared the court with Rabinowitz for the past four years. She praised Rabinowitz’s consistency and awareness as a setter.
“I always know what to expect,” LaRocco said. “I’m not going to get [a ball] that’s too far or too short.”
In addition to her teammates, Rabinowitz’s coaches praised both her physical and mental sides of the game. Head coach Brianna Jones added that Rabinowitz’s ability to be consistent has led to much of her success.
“She’s by far one of the most consistent people I’ve ever met in my life off the court and on the court, so you know what you’re gonna get from her,” Jones said. “When you have someone that’s consistent as your teammate, it’s very easy to trust them, so she has the trust and respect of all of her teammates.”
While Rabinowitz has mastered the art of setting, she is still seeking ways to improve her game. She said she wants to get better at looking at the other side of the net to set up her hitters with the best opportunities to score.
“Looking at matchups and figuring out if the block is following your outside hitter and they have four hands up,” Rabinowitz said. “Or you can hit the ball in the other direction and surprising the other side, so that the hitter has only two hands up, giving the hitter the best opportunity based on what the other side is doing.”
Jones, who has been with Rabinowitz for the last three seasons, believes Rabinowitz has grown tremendously since her freshman season. According to Jones, Rabinowitz’s confidence has increased and said that the star setter has embraced her role as one of the team's leaders.
“She’s a big leader by example,” Jones said. “She’s not going to say too much, but you know what you’re going to get from her. ... She’s going to work hard and work to improve or work to make the person next to her better every ball.”
Since Rabinowitz joined the team in 2022, the Eagles have won two UAA championships and made it to the NCAA Elite Eight last season. This season, she said the Eagles are mentally prepared to win a national championship after last season’s run proved they belong on the national stage.
“We’re definitely motivated,” Rabinowitz said. “Especially since we made it to the Elite Eight last year, we saw a glimpse of what it’s like and losing in that first round of the Elite Eight made us even more motivated, and it showed us that we deserve to be there.”
Pregame routines have been crucial to building the Eagles’ strong team chemistry and Rabinowitz’s success. Rabinowitz’s routine starts with her usual order of Starbucks, which she always gets with senior middle hitter Sophie Zerrouki. Before each game, the Eagles have a 20-minute dance party in the locker room. Following that, they calm down to visualize the game and practice deep breathing exercises. Rabinowitz greatly credits this routine for allowing her to play to her best level.
“You can visualize the good, the bad, and how you’re going to overcome that,” Rabinowitz said. “That’s very important for me before each game, and also just focusing on deep breaths.”
While this is Rabinowitz’s final season playing volleyball for Emory, she said the memorable moments and the friendships she created here will last forever.
“I literally just go home during break and rave about how I’ve never been on a team where we love each other so much,” Rabinowitz said. “I’m so grateful for all the girls that I’ve been surrounded by.”
