BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI
Sports Correspondent

Kicking off the fall high school sports season, Forest City volleyball player Zoë Zazzera is the Independent’s Student Athlete of the Week.

Zazzera, a senior, has been playing volleyball for four years for Forest City coaches Joan Skarbez and Jennifer Dovin.

When asked what she likes about volleyball, Zazzera said, “Everything. I like the high speed game and the teamwork and connection that is needed.”

The Lady Foresters lost two key players to graduation last year, but Zazzera and her teammates aren’t going to let that bother them. “We are looking forward to a competitive season this year,” she said.

Zazzera spends most of her time involved in school activities. She is on the basketball team, the National Honor Society, is Vice President of her Senior class, Student Council, FBLA, and both the newspaper and yearbook committees.

When she is not busy with all of that, “I just hang out with friends and support other sports teams.”

She has earned accolades for her performance in the gym and in the classroom. She earned All-Star Honorable Mentions for volleyball and basketball. She was the MVP for volleyball. She earned the Third Award for basketball and was named the offensive player of the year for basketball. Her hard work in the classroom was rewarded with her induction into the National Honor Society.

Zazzera is inspired by her parents, Steve and Alicia Zazzera. “My parents inspire me to be the best I can be. I see every day how hard they work to give my sister and I every opportunity they can. This makes me want to succeed after high school so then I can give them anything they want.”

To reach her goal of being successful after high school graduation, Zazzera plans to go to college in Philadelpia and major in nursing. She hopes to become a pediatric nurse.