University of Iowa volleyball recently announced the hire of Olivia Larsen as the program’s Director of Operations. The announcement was made by head coach Jim Barnes.
Larsen returns after earning her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa in 2024. She served as a student manager with the program from 2021-2023. Additionally, she was tabbed as interim director of volleyball operations during the 2021 season. In that role, Larsen created weekly itineraries for the staff and student-athletes, arranged all aspects of team and staff travel and served as the primary contact between the program, support staff and departmental staff.
Prior to her return to the University of Iowa, Larsen was a fourth grade teacher, head volleyball coach and co-head softball coach at Sidney High School in Iowa.
Larsen is a 2020 Sidney HS grad and is the daughter of Kent and Dyan Larsen. Her sister is Lexy Larsen.
“My official title is Director of Volleyball Operations,” said Larsen. “There are many different parts to my job, but the main pieces are organizing travel trips (hotels, flights, meals, practices, etc.), helping run camps in the summer, creating itineraries for recruiting visits, etc. Basically, I am the planner and organizer for the team.”
“My greatest influence in sports has always been my dad. He dedicated countless hours to coaching my teams to teach us the skills we needed to grow and thrive as athletes.
“When I think back on all the success my team and I experienced throughout my volleyball career, it all traces back to him. From third grade all the way through high school, he put in so much work behind the scenes organizing schedules to challenge us and make us a better volleyball team.
“He also drove some teammates and I to club volleyball practices and tournaments, which gave us opportunities to compete at a higher level and continue to grow our knowledge of the game. I truly would not have been the volleyball player or athlete that I was without my dad.
“Another huge influence in my sports career was my sister.
“She set the bar high and showed me what it meant to work hard and never settle for less than my best. I was able to witness all the time and effort she put in to become an amazing athlete, and it pushed me to want to be a great athlete for Sidney too.
“She also showed me how important it was to play multiple sports and how each sport could teach different skills that make you better overall. Watching her succeed in more than one sport inspired me to do the same, and it helped me develop not only as a volleyball player, but as a well-rounded competitor,” Larsen said.
Submitted by Teresa Crecelius.
