Akash Grewal: A champion in volleyball and for mental health
For Akash Grewal, volleyball is more than just a sport. It’s a means of self-discovery, personal growth, and community-building—a journey that’s taken her from multi-sport beginnings to a championship-winning career with the UBC Thunderbirds.
“Sports have always been a huge part of my life,” said Grewal.
“My parents would say I had way too much energy, so they had me in soccer, basketball, field hockey, swimming—pretty much every sport you can think of.”
Despite her early love for soccer, Grewal pivoted to volleyball during her high school years. In Grade 11, as decisions about post-secondary athletics loomed, volleyball emerged as her true calling.
“I was playing soccer at a high level, club volleyball, and I was on my school’s basketball team,” she said.
“I realized I had to choose one if I wanted to play post-secondary. Volleyball felt like the right decision, so I went with my gut.”
That choice led her to UBC, a program renowned for its success in women’s volleyball and its academic reputation. Staying close to her family in Vancouver was a bonus, but Grewal’s real motivation was to study psychology while competing at the highest level of Canadian university athletics.
“UBC is highly regarded for its psychology program, and the volleyball team speaks for itself,” Grewal said.
“To call myself a Thunderbird is such a privilege.”
Grewal has been a key contributor for UBC, helping the Thunderbirds capture a U SPORTS national title while consistently receiving the Academic All-Canadian Award each year. Reflecting on the season, she highlighted the team’s resilience and camaraderie, especially after early challenges.
“Our first game against TRU didn’t go the way we wanted,” said Grewal.
“But we used it as an opportunity to build grit and determination. From there, we had a record season—losing just a few games—and kept pushing each other every step of the way.”
The culmination came in the championship match against the Alberta Pandas, a moment etched in Grewal’s memory.
“I remember looking at the bench in shock, thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, we actually did it.’ Then Victoria [Dacre], our libero and my forever pepper partner, came running toward me. I was just hoping she wouldn’t tumble me over. Winning a national championship with the people I worked so hard alongside brought me pure joy.”
As a fourth-year athlete, Grewal now leads by example, focusing on mentorship and maintaining a positive team environment. While she prefers to lead through actions rather than words, her presence on and off the court sets the tone for rookies and veterans alike.
“I try to exude energy through how I practice and play,” she said.
“Teaching the rookies what they need to know and showing them how to set the standard is really important to me.”
Grewal’s impact extends beyond volleyball. Her passion for mental health advocacy has led her to roles as a mental health ambassador for Volleyball BC and involvement in various research initiatives. Last summer alone, she balanced coaching, internships, committee work, and seven beach volleyball tournaments while also playing for Canada’s Next Gen Women’s Beach Volleyball National Team for the 3rd year in a row, showcasing an unrelenting commitment to her many pursuits.
As a mental health advocate, Grewal has worked to normalize conversations about the struggles student-athletes face—balancing injuries, playtime pressure, and emotional well-being. She facilitates workshops and provides resources for youth athletes to cope with challenges, drawing from her own experiences.
“One simple strategy I use is grounding myself during tough moments,” she shared.
“I’ll find three things in the room—a post, a light, the net—and just focus on them. I take a deep breath and reset with a trigger word such as ‘Okay.’ It helps me stay present.”
Grewal’s dedication to mental health stems from her personal journey, including a brain injury in grade 10 that sidelined her at a pivotal time in her athletic career.
“That injury drastically impacted my ability to play and even made me doubt myself,” she said.
“But volleyball became a way to cope and reconnect with the people and communities I loved. It helped me become the person I was before my injury—and even stronger.”
Whether on the court or in her community work, Grewal’s drive to succeed is fueled by goal-setting.
After recovering from her brain surgery that same summer, Grewal went on to win the U18 BC Beach Provincials Championship, showcasing her resilience and grit.
“I’m very goal-driven,” she said.
“I like setting goals to work toward. The goals can either be minuscule, everyday tasks I have to complete or related to process-oriented behaviours that I know are essential for meeting my outcome-based goals. I am driven by ticking off the boxes on my checklist.”
Heading into the spring semester, Grewal’s focus remains on balance: playing volleyball, prioritizing her emotional and physical health, and continuing her studies in psychology and public health. She also has her sights set on a third-straight national championship with the Thunderbirds.
“We’re going to try our very best to run it back,” she said.
“It would be amazing to go for the three-peat.”