Player Spotlight: Theresa Hans, the setter who found her way to the volleyball court
Hans Theresa: The setter who found her way to the volleyball court
A journey that started with curiosity grew through passion and led to representing Nigeria. Not every volleyball story begins with a dream. Sometimes, it begins with boredom. About seven years ago, Hans Theresa was simply looking for something new to do. She wasn't searching for a career in volleyball or imagining herself representing Nigeria one day. She just wanted another sport. That search led her to the volleyball court at Teslim Balogun. And she stayed. Today, Theresa is a setter based in Lagos. But
before the jersey, the competitions and the national team experience, there was simply a young girl discovering a sport she had only ever watched on television.
A sport she didn't expect to Love
When Theresa first started playing, volleyball wasn't exactly her biggest priority. She was a cheerleader. She loved dancing. She attended different programmes and spent plenty of time doing things outside volleyball. But something about the game kept pulling her back. She loved that volleyball was a team sport. She enjoyed having supportive friends around her, and there was something exciting about finally seeing in person the sport she had watched on television. She remembers thinking she hadn't even realised volleyball was being played in Nigeria. Still, she wasn't completely sold. Her mother eventually noticed that volleyball wasn't getting the attention it deserved and made sure Theresa kept going to training. Sometimes, the people around us see something in us before we see it ourselves. For Theresa, that persistence mattered. Then came another experience that made the game feel even more special.
During a programme organised by Coach Ibrahim, who came from the USA, players received jerseys, canvas shoes, socks and bags. It may have seemed like a small thing, but for Theresa, it made her even more interested in the sport. Her plans to return to dancing slowly disappeared but not fully(she still dance) Volleyball had begun to feel like home.
From the local court to representing Nigeria
The girl who initially went to the volleyball court because she was bored eventually found herself wearing the colours of her country. In 2022, Theresa represented Nigeria at the Girls' U19 African Nations Championship qualifiers. It remains one of the biggest highlights of her volleyball career. There is something powerful about that journey. A decision that started with “I just want to try another sport” eventually became an opportunity to represent Nigeria. And that is one of the beautiful things about sport: sometimes you start without knowing where the road leads. You simply keep walking.
But the journey hasn't always been easy
For Theresa, one of the biggest challenges has been finding enough strong competitions in Lagos. When there aren't enough competitions or strong opponents around, players have to look elsewhere for opportunities to test themselves. For Theresa, that has meant travelling to Abuja. It is a reminder that developing as an athlete isn't only about how often you train. You also need opportunities to compete, make mistakes, face stronger players and discover what you still need to improve. And Theresa believes the western region needs more of those opportunities. She would like to see more competitions held in the region instead of having so much of the focus centered around places like Abuja and Kaduna.
For her, it isn't simply about wanting more matches. It is about giving players the chance to grow where they are.
The Coach who helped start the journey
When asked who has had the greatest influence on her volleyball journey, Theresa doesn't hesitate. Coach Napo. Her grassroot coach was one of the people who introduced her to volleyball and helped her begin developing as a player. Every athlete has someone who gives them their first opportunity. Someone who teaches them the basics. Someone who sees them before anyone else knows their name. For Theresa, Coach Napo was part of that beginning. And beginnings matter.
Why she keeps coming back
Ask Theresa what a typical training week looks like, and her answer is surprisingly simple. It's fun. She is happy to come to the court. That happiness might be easy to overlook, but perhaps it explains why a sport she never originally planned to pursue has remained such an important part of her life. Volleyball has given her competition, friendships, experiences and the opportunity to represent her country. It has also given her somewhere to keep growing.
The Talent is there:
When Theresa talks about Nigerian volleyball, she doesn't hesitate to recognise what makes it special. Talent and skill. There are players with the ability and passion to take the sport further. But for that talent to reach its full potential, players need opportunities. More competitions. More exposure. More chances to test themselves. And more pathways for young athletes who are just beginning, just like Theresa was seven years ago.
A Dream bigger than Volleyball:
Theresa has her eyes set on the next five years. She wants to become recognized as one of the best setters in the country. But there is something else she wants just as
much. Her education. Her advice to young players is simple: education first. She believes athletes should work towards balancing their education with their sporting careers rather than having to choose one over the other. It is this advice she intends to follow herself. Because for Theresa, the dream isn't only about becoming a better volleyball player. It is about becoming a well-rounded person while doing it.
And if you meet her?
Don't expect the serious, intense athlete you might imagine from watching a competitive
match. Theresa wants to be remembered as a free and jovial volleyballer. And maybe that is the perfect way to end her story for now.
Because behind the setter, the national team experience, and the ambition to become one of the country's best is someone who simply enjoys being around the game. A girl who went to a volleyball court because she was bored. A player who loves dancing, she still dances but always goes back to volleyball A setter who eventually wore Nigeria's colours. And an athlete who is still dreaming about how much further she can go.
Her story is not finished yet.
In fact, it feels like she is only just getting started.
Hans Theresa: The setter who found her way to the volleyball court
Do you have a player/coach/referee you'd like to hear from? A person in volleyball that inspires you, nominate them and we will feature them on our "people of the game" spotlight series.
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