Making a name for herself as one of the key players for Diamond Bar High School Volleyball, senior middle blocker Zariah Crosby has proven to be a major contributor to the success of DBHS Volleyball. Recording 123 kills and 44 blocks this season, she leads the team in kills per set, total kills, blocks, and hitting percentage.
“I feel good,” Crosby said. “You know, in the little time that I’ve been playing, I’ve improved so much in so many areas in such a short amount of time.”
Crosby’s volleyball career started her sophomore year after making the JV team. She initially did not make the cut after trying out her freshman year, but she did not let that stop her. Through hard work and persistence, Crosby earned her spot on the team at tryouts the following year..
“A lot of people don’t [re]join a sport once they get cut because they think, ‘I’m not going to make the team,’” Crosby said. “But my best friend, she inspired me, and I inspired myself to practice that whole summer and I guess sophomore year came around . . .and I made the team.”
Despite not playing Volleyball until high school, Crosby is proud that her skills have improved in the short amount of time that she has been playing. Crosby believes that by putting in the hours, she has made herself a well-rounded player.
“The little time I’ve been playing, I have improved so much in so many areas in such a short amount of time,” Crosby said. “I think that’s wild to me and the coaches that see me.”
Having won a national championship in her club career, Crosby is one of the more seasoned and decorated members of this year’s team. With a relatively young roster this season, Crosby has helped lead a team of fresh faces who are playing at the varsity level for the very first time.
“A lot of members on our team, [are] new to the team,” Crosby said. “ We still have to build that chemistry because a lot of our seniors [graduated] . . ., so I feel for a lot of the younger group that we need to build more chemistry.”
In addition to developing a strong passion for volleyball over the years, her love for the sport has also taught her several life lessons. In particular, she has become a more vocal person overtime.
“I used to be a very shy person and to myself,” Crosby said. “I would never really talk but being in a sport makes you really outspoken and outgoing and being more social . . ., so I feel like volleyball made me really come out of that shell.”
As Crosby competes in her final season as a Brahma, she is already making plans for her future.
“I have recently verbally committed to Cal State Fullerton,” Crosby said. “I’m looking forward to staying close to home and competing for four more years.”
With graduation approaching, Crosby hopes that future volleyball players, or anyone for that matter, realize the importance of hard work in achieving one’s goals.
“I would say never give up,” Crosby said. “Do the things that you love, have discipline, do something that you don’t like to do like you love it every day.”