Record Athlete of the Week: Bella Zeman, Yorkville junior, volleyball

Why Zeman was selected:

Bella Zeman had nine kills and five digs in Yorkville's 25-23, 25-19 win over West Aurora on Sept. 11, and followed that up with eight kills, an ace, two blocks and two digs in a 25-18, 25-13 win over DeKalb on Sept. 13.

Zeman, a 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter in her second season on the varsity, is a big reason why the Foxes are off to a 12-4 start. Zeman talked to Record sports editor Joshua Welge about it. Here is an edited version of the transcript.

Welge: How significant was that West Aurora win?

Zeman: It was very significant since we are the same regional and sectional as them. Our season's going well. It started out with a rough patch. Now that we are bonding as a team we're picking it up.

Welge: [Yorkville] coach Barbie Langhoff has coached you for two years at Yorkville, and also in club with [Joliet-based] Uno. How's she seen you grow as a player?

Zeman: We've become really close and we have a good player/coach bond. I know how to react when she gives me advice. My skill level wasn't fully there yet when I first met her – I went from freshman year hitting the ball underneath the net at times to being an important part of the team.

Welge: How'd you do it?

Zeman: Through a lot of coaching and cues. I take everything they tell me seriously.

Welge: You hit it under the net?

Zeman: It was rough, yeah.

Welge: How high can you touch now?

Zeman: Last time I measured it was 9 feet, 10.5 inches. I'm striving this club season to reach 10 feet.

Welge: You committed to Wofford this summer. How'd that happen?

Zeman: At the beginning of club season they started recruiting me and they came on my radar. I didn't know much about them but after phone calls and interviews I fell in love with the coaching staff and campus.

Welge: Coach said you didn't want to share the news before tryouts. Why?

Zeman: I didn't want people to think me being committed there was the only reason I was on the team. I wanted to prove myself. I wanted to make sure people realized that I was a team player, and that was the reason I was here, to help my team.

Welge: Where does that humble nature come from?

Zeman: I don't know. Personally, someone who is cocky, sometimes it comes back to bite them in the butt. I don't want that to me. I'm as strong as the weakest player in our program. I don't want people to think that I'm better than them.