Each month, Collier County Public Schools selects area high school All-Stars who are leaders or rising stars on and off the field. The Naples Daily News will be interviewing some of these student-athletes to meet the county's honorees.
Eva Zehnder is a senior on the Barron Collier College indoor volleyball and beach volleyball teams. Zehnder, a four-year varsity indoor player, helped the Cougars to two state runner-up finishes in Class 5A and led beach volleyball to a district championship this season. Zehnder holds indoor records for season assists (898) and career assists (2,334), all with a weighted GPA of his 5.21.of naples daily news We spoke to Zender to find out more about her.
Question: What is your favorite memory at Barron Collier?
Zender: My favorite memory with Baron is probably our state trip during this year's indoor season. I had to go to both the semi-finals and finals and stayed in a hotel with the team, but it was a lot of fun. I did a lot of fun things in my off time and it was fun to spend a lot of time with the team before I leave next year.
What sporting achievement are you most proud of?
Zender: They'll probably make it to state two years in a row. I feel like volleyball is very competitive in Florida. There are so many great teams, so it felt like a huge accomplishment to make it this far. So your team has good chemistry and if you can make it as far as you did in regionals and advance to state, you know you guys are really good. That's a really big deal.
Talk about the challenges you overcame as an athlete.
Zender: I think I broke my hand the week before my junior year started and missed the entire regular season and came back for district. It was difficult because I had been a cast member for such a long time. I didn't like and was scared to start moving again to go back to playing, but I did it and ended up going to America that year.
What did you learn while on two different teams that has helped you outside of sports?
Zender: I think time management is really important. The volleyball club and beach still remain. It teaches you good communication with your coach. I have to communicate with each coach when I go there and when I don't. Also, think about when to do your homework or work outside of sports.
What advice would you give to the new national team players?
Zender: I want to tell you to have fun and don't be afraid. Competition is a lot of fun, and it's never good to play in fear. If I play the way I play, I'm sure things will work out.
Do you listen to music before the game?
Zender: I never listen to my own music, never wear headphones or anything. But when I get in the car, I never get on the AUX, I always give it to someone else. So I don't really need music to get me going. Once you're there, it's like you're already there.
What do you like to eat before a game?
Zender: I don't eat if it's early in the game, and I can't eat before the game. But if it's later in the day, avocado toast is the best thing to eat early.
What was your favorite class or subject?
Zender: My favorite class is probably Psychology, which I took last year. I think it was really fun learning about how people think and how things affect other things.