By Isabella Custodi, Sports Reporter
Senior Kara Zaucha has emerged as a powerhouse for the Canisius volleyball team, leading in kills and earning numerous achievements that highlight her talent and determination.
For this season, Zaucha is leading the Griffs with 111 kills. She is also second in digs with 95, second in service aces with 10 and third in blocks with 18. She just recently hit a new season high with two service aces against Robert Morris at the Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational this past weekend. Her other season highs include 17 kills and 16 digs against Mercyhurst on Sept. 5.
Along with leading the team in kills, she has racked up numerous achievements as a member of the volleyball team. During her freshman season, she was named MAAC All-Team Rookie in 2021. She’s also been named to the MAAC All-Academic Team for 2022 and 2023. This season, she was named to the Salt City Classic All-Tournament Team and Robert Morris/Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament Team, while also receiving MAAC Player of the Week on Sept. 3.
Zaucha’s many accomplishments led her to serving as team captain her junior season. Being captain has helped shape her into the player she is today. “I would say that it helped me grow as a person in many different ways. Team captains do not always need to have the right things to say, but what is more important is doing the right thing,” says Zaucha.
While being captain her junior season, Zaucha finished the year ranked seventh in the MAAC for points per set (3.39) and she ranked top ten in the nation for having 13 double-doubles. She started and played in every set and ended the season with 280 kills, 31 service aces, 294 digs and 64 blocks.
Zaucha’s biggest goal for this season is to make it to the NCAA Tournament. “Making it to December is the biggest goal for the season. Only one MAAC team will win the conference and have the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament in December. Our plan as a team is to do whatever is in our power to make sure our season does not end in November. Our goal is to win the MAAC tournament,” said Zaucha.
She believes that this season, her team has a chance due to their team chemistry. Zaucha states it’s one of their biggest strengths because they all enjoy being around each other on and off the court. Despite the team’s 4–7 record to start the season, Zaucha is hopeful that her team can use those losses as motivation for the next games. This weekend marks the start of conference play for the Griffs.
“As a team, we need to recognize the great things we have done in non-conference play and carry those with us to start our conference play this weekend. The team is shifting our focus to beating MAAC opponents and putting ourselves into a good position for the conference tournament in November,” says Zaucha.
The Griffs start MAAC play on Sept. 28 and 29 at the Koessler Athletic Center against Siena and Marist, with both games scheduled for a noon start.
Photo Courtesy of Tom Wolf
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