Olivia Richards continues 2-sport success at Cornell

MOUNT VERNON — Olivia Richards dedicates her time and effort for the love of the game.

Make that plural. Love of the games. Something that has been a staple in her life when she was at Cedar Rapids Xavier and Kirkwood and continues to be part of her experience as a softball and volleyball player at Cornell College.

“It’s something that’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so it’s natural to play both,” Richards said. “The drive is there.”

Richards has started 18 games this season, entering Thursday night’s Midwest Conference home doubleheader against Beloit at Van Metre Family Field. In the fall, she played in all 32 volleyball matches with 31 starts for the Rams.

Richards juggles the time demands of two sports and academics. Her athletic endeavors actually provide a respite from the rigors of her daily schedule.

“The more I continue to go to practices and compete in the games, the more satisfaction,” said Richards, who was fourth on the volleyball team with 229 points and 177 kills. “It’s what makes me happy. Continuing to play is a stress relief from school and hecticness of life.”

Cornell softball coach Jackie Sernek said Richards has taken the demands in stride. She has handled everything well.

“She does a really, really good job,” Sernek said. “She’s intrinsically motivated and that helps her.”

“Time management is big. When it’s time for softball she’s focused on softball. When it’s time for volleyball, she’s focused on volleyball. When it’s time to focus on academics, she’s focused on that, too.”

Sernek has had multiple players pull double duty in the past and said she likes dual-sport athletes. Teammates Addie Bowman and Caitlin Babcock also currently play volleyball and softball for the Rams. Richards tries to compartmentalize each activity and prioritizes whichever is in season.

Occasionally, she will use one sport as a break for another, giving her a chance to regroup and reset.

“I kind of intermix them on my own,” Richards said. “I won’t go to a volleyball practice during softball season. If I do, I’ll go shag balls or pepper on the wall. I wouldn’t do any live play. In the fall, when I find myself struggling with volleyball and sometimes I would take a break and go hit off a tee. Center myself with something I haven’t done in a while.”

Richards has spent time as an outfielder and designated player for the Rams (5-14). She entered Thursday’s contests hitting just under .300 with 14 hits, five doubles and a .382 on-base percentage. Richards is one of the few experienced players on a team with 19 underclassmen on the 26-player roster.

“She brings a good focus (but) she’s loose,” Sernek said. “She’s her own person.

“She helps lead more by playing than by being vocal. She knows how to get it done.”

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