On the volleyball court, captain Light Uchechukwu leads by example. No point is lost when she's in the rotation, regardless of how far she has to travel to save a ball. 
 
Uchechukwu's work ethic is inspired by her parents, Patrick and Happiness. Lagos, Nigeria natives, they moved to Canada with Light (when she was six) and her sister in order to pursue greater opportunities for their kids. 
 
"They sacrificed so much for me. My mom won't buy herself anything new, or anything like that because she wants my sister and I to have it. If I'm here, I have to do all I can because they've sacrificed all they can for me and my sister. I love volleyball, but the most important thing for me is my education," says Uchechukwu, a psychology major in her senior season. 
 
"The only reason they came here was for me and my sister to get a good education. They struggled really hard for that. I have to do well, and volleyball has helped me get a nice education, which is amazing."
 
Happiness went to university back home, but her education didn't transfer over, so she had to start fresh. Patrick learned how to speak English through signing his documents as an immigrant. Their realities were not easy. 
 
Both work in home care, have multiple jobs and work seven days a week, all to provide for their family.
 
"I've been very fortunate that my parents have sheltered me so much and gone through so much heartache so I could have it a bit easier," adds Light. 
 
"I'm aware, coming here as an immigrant, how truly hard that is."
 
When Patrick and Happiness moved to Winnipeg, they were looking for ways to integrate their kids into the community, and to keep them occupied while they were working. Light tried basketball and soccer, but found her calling on the volleyball court. 
 
From 13U to present day, she's thrived in the sport, winning club nationals, meeting countless friends (many of whom are teammates of hers with the Bisons) and creating lifetime memories. 
 
Through it all, Bisons head coach Ken Bentley, and then-assistant coach Mike Maidment have supported the Uchechukwus. 
 
"Ken and Mike Maidment at that time were really generous and gave me a scholarship through club, which was amazing, because I don't think I would be here or my parents couldn't have done it without their help," says Light. 
 
"Ken and Mike helped pay for club for 13U all the way through high school. I don't know if Ken even knows how much that meant to my parents."
 
That support, along with the tireless efforts of her parents in all other areas, inspired Uchechukwu to be her best self. 
 
Along the way, she won a gold medal at the Canada Summer Games in high school, was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team and has played middle as well as left and right side for the team, recording 734 kills, 499 digs and 112 blocks over the last four seasons. 
 
"It's an honour. It affects my daily life and how I move, especially on the court," she says of how her parents have inspired her. 
 
"My parents have an insane work ethic, making sure me and my sister are okay and could do all this, and could travel on those trips in club and not feel left out."
 
At the same time, Light understands the importance of representation. 
 
Growing up, she didn't see many other athletes who looked like her. She hopes to be an inspiration to others, to show them you can do anything you set your mind to, and that any barrier can be broken with the right attitude and support. 
 
"Representation matters," she notes. 
 
"Right now in CanWest I don't know if I can count on one hand how many [black athletes] are out there. It's nice to know that I'm someone a young athlete can look up to. I've had aunts and uncles with their kids and they'll always come up to me and be like 'how do I get my daughter started in volleyball?' It's always great to have those conversations. It's a fun sport. We can do more than the stereotypical basketball and stuff like that."