Pawlak put sting in Yellowjackets
BUFFALO TWP -- Whatever role Freeport volleyball coach Tom Phillips asked her to take was OK with Yellowjackets’ senior Zoe Pawlak.
Having her skill set limited by tendonitis in her knees brought mostly frustration. Pawlak played as a serving or defensive specialist, and even sat out some, for much of the regular season.
“Working through it wasn’t much of a problem because I did get a break so they feel better than last year,” Pawlak said. “The most difficult part was I love to play volleyball and it’s hard not to be able to hit and contribute all-around.”
When the playoffs rolled around, Phillips turned her loose. Pawlak, who will play volleyball at Division I Loyola of Maryland next year, was back to her usual self, helping Freeport (20-2) win its third WPIAL Class AA title and advance to the PIAA quarterfinals.
For her efforts, Pawlak was named the Butler Eagle Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.
Phillips said during the regular season, the Yellowjackets had a specific plan in place for Pawlak.
“Obviously, she played a lot in the back row for most of the season,” Phillips said. “We used her, I want to say in four section matches and the rest of the time we utilized her as a serving and defensive specialist. … Once we got to the postseason, we used her to the best of our ability.”
Being forced to watch several matches from the sidelines let Pawlak know one thing: This Freeport team was different than the one that was upset by Ford City in the postseason her junior year.
After watching a match at Conneaut Area, Pawlak knew the Yellowjackets could win the WPIAL.
“I didn’t know at the beginning of the season if we could do it,” Pawlak said. “I feel like in the past years we gave up and didn’t have the drive to do it. Against Conneaut, we were down two sets and came back and won.”
In the playoffs, Pawlak finished with double-digit kills in every match, including 30 against West Shamokin the district finals.
Winning the WPIAL was important to Pawlak, who was on the last title team in 2013.
“We just put so much time into volleyball,” Pawlak said. “We play in the summers, coach has a sand league at his house. We’re fortunate to have some good athletes come through the program.”
Phillips compares Pawlak to Carlie Bieranowski, who played at Clarion University and was a two-time all-state player at Freeport. Bieranowski and Pawlak are the only two players to start all four seasons during his 15-year tenure as Yellowjackets coach.
“Both have passion and love for the game and are very athletic,” Phillips said.
Pawlak’s passion extends beyond the high school season. Earlier this week, Pawlak went to State College to watch Penn State University, which is her second favorite team behind Loyola, play.
She wants to make sure she’s ready for the next level.
“The game is a lot faster in college,” Pawlak said. “I know from junior high to high school to club it gets faster and faster. I look forward to playing at that level.”
