Wake Forest Athletics
Summiel Stepping into Bigger Roles On and Off the Court
2/21/2023 11:58:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The senior has become a leader for the women’s basketball team as well as a leader for the entire Wake Forest and ACC student-athlete population with her role on the SAAC board.
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Wake Forest senior forward Olivia Summiel has deftly navigated the offseason by taking advantage of leadership opportunities both on and off the hardwood.
Summiel has prospered in leadership roles with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, serving not just at the campus level, but also with the ACC and NCAA.
She was also tabbed as the moderator for the Face-to-Face speaker series event at Wake Forest featuring the Pulitzer Prize winning author and presidential historian Jon Meacham. That's not even mentioning being an every-game starter and team captain for the women's basketball team under first-year head coach Megan Gebbia, who was hired to take over the program in late May.
"It's been a really busy year, but an extremely rewarding one," Summiel said. "I've had lots of different leadership opportunities, both on and off the floor. I was able to take part in the Face-to-Face event and be a moderator for Jon Meacham. That was a step out of my comfort zone, but I'm so happy that I did.
"He's a presidential historian and part of the political realm, which is something I'm not as knowledgeable in. It's not something I'm immersed in day-to-day. It was a different world, but such a rewarding experience. I learned so much and got to know Jon Meacham and learn from his knowledge and passion about what he does."
Her responsibilities and personal victories with SAAC have been wide-ranging over the last several months.
"My role with SAAC has been a big part of the year," Summiel said. "I've been fortunate enough to be involved at the campus level, at the conference level and at a national level. SAAC has given me the opportunity to meet with and get to know leaders across the country. Division 1 SAAC has been enlightening. I've learned a lot.
"This is a chaotic time in collegiate athletics. What a time to be involved in this landscape. A new NCAA Constitution was drafted, and SAAC had a big role in drafting it. That was a rewarding experience to be in those conversations."
Summiel built some impactful and long-lasting connections after interning in the ACC office during the summer, and she was tasked with helping to plan the most recent in-person ACC SAAC meeting. That group drafted a letter to Congress trying to persuade them to enact federal legislation to better regulate Name, Image and Likeness.
"There are 10 states in the ACC, and the NIL laws for each state are different," Summiel explained. "That can create some recruiting advantages and disadvantages for programs across the conference. There's a lot going on in Washington, so we know a national NIL law might not be at the top of their list, but we want to continue having conversations on that front."
The various leadership roles have led to an exciting-yet-hectic academic year for Summiel, and has stretched her time management skills.
"It can be a lot at times," she admitted. "I'm learning the skill of delegation, which is something I've struggled with at times. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. Trying to juggle all this, while also adapting to a new coaching staff and style has been a challenge. But it's been a rewarding one."
Meanwhile, on the court Summiel has been a leader in helping install Gebbia's system of basketball, which has put a premium on sharing the basketball and playing solid defense.
"The new staff has made that change easier," Summiel said. "It's brand new. I'm a senior on the court, but in this staff's eyes everyone is a freshman. Everyone has to make a new impression. I've been trying to figure it out and gel with what we're doing on the offensive end."
The Deacs are right on the cusp of breaking through, and grabbed a signature home victory over Louisville earlier this season.
"We're putting it together and have a lot of potential," Summiel said. "We're playing better basketball. Our chemistry and energy are different. It's been a lot of fun. We've let a couple of opportunities slip through our fingers, and know we can achieve more. I wouldn't want to go through this with any other group."
Summiel is third on the team in scoring this season and second behind just Demeara Hinds in rebounds. She's proving to be one of the more dangerous long-range shooters on the team, hitting 36 percent behind the arc this season.
"Personally, I've still got some room to grow," Summiel said. "There have been highs and lows, and the theme to anyone's college experience is just trying to weather the storm at times. I want to be there for my teammates in any way possible to help us win."
She's been a major force in the paint affecting shots by the opponents. Summiel leads the team and is fourth in the ACC in blocked shots with 37.
"My defense fuels me a little bit, whether it's a block, communicating with my teammates, cutting off a tendency, or getting a stop — those are all big parts of my game," Summiel said. "I just want to bring the energy. My offense needs to be more consistent, but I can always bring the defensive effort."
