From the Wellsboro Gazette: Hannah Zuchowski continues volleyball career as coach at Ohio Northern
This story is being published with the permission of the Wellsboro Gazette
By Nick Coyle ncoyle@tiogapublishing.com
Hannah Zuchowski is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Wellsboro Lady Hornet volleyball player to step on the court and wear the green and white.
Zuchowski was not only a hard-worker, but also a stellar athlete during her time with the Hornets.
During her time in Wellsboro she played basketball, softball and track, but volleyball was the sport she loved the most. "It was my first love," Zuchowski said.
One of the most satisfying memories of her playing days in Wellsboro was the chance to play for her mother, Sharon Zuchowski, who still coaches Wellsboro to this day, on one of the best Wellsboro volleyball teams that ended a nearly 20-year drought to become District Champions.
"She took over my senior year," Zuchowski said. "I think winning Districts with her and that group of girls, the love I have for that team is unmatched. We all still talk."
"She has always been my number one fan," Zuchowski said. "She never told me 'Oh Hannah, that's good enough' They always pushed me to do more. Sometimes I think when playing for a parent they will push you too hard, but I think my mom did a great job of balancing that out."
Another impactful aspect of that moment as every Hornet knows so well, is the thrill of beating their rival school NP-Mansfield.
"It was amazing beating Mansfield," Zuchowski said. "It was amazing to go out in five and win Districts for the first time in I think 20 years."
Even with all of the success in high school, it was just the first turn on the long volleyball journey she enjoyed and continues to enjoy.
Zuchowski continued her playing career into college and continued to grow and succeed during her time there.
By the time she finished playing at Keystone College, she had collected almost every record related to hitting. She holds the all-time kills record with a jaw-dropping total of 1,537 kills.
"I was an All-American and started all four years there," Zuchowski said. "I think I may have missed one game. I was also a four-time captain.
Though volleyball was her favorite sport, she also played basketball and lacrosse in college and was a true-competitor throughout her time at Keystone.
As the door closed on her playing career, Zuchowski's love of the game continued as she began her venture into the realm of coaching.
"I honestly have always known I wanted to be a coach," Zuchowski said. "People always say I have a gift, I can go in there and run a gym. I've never been that nervous to tell someone 'Hey get your arm up' or 'Let's do this.' The only struggles I had was not being able to go out there and do it myself."
Coaching can be a difficult transition for some, but the experience as a team captain throughout high school and college helped to make the change painless for Zuchowski as she began her coaching career.
"I learned a lot at Keystone that really helped me," Zuchowski said. "Just the players I got to play with and the different types of people you play with definitely helps because everyone comes from a different background and as a coach you have to be able to relate to different players, people and parents still."
Now Zuchowski gets a golden opportunity at Ohio Northern University, where she recently signed on to take over as one of their coaches next season.
With years and years of playing experience and coaching experience, at Carthage College in Wisconsin, Zuchowski now will take her coaching career to the next level for Ohio Northern.
Though she can't be on the campus physically due to the coronavirus shutdown, Zuchowski has been in constant contact with her players through Zoom meetings, text messages and even watching films on her players in order to see what to expect when she gets there.
"The girls have been great," Zuchowski said. "It does stink that I didn't get to be in the gym with them and we didn't get to build that bond but I check in with them everyday."
When asked about her goals heading into her first season with Ohio Northern, Zuchowski is just looking for her team to be the best they can be.
"I just want us to be the best team in the OAC," Zuchowski said. "I'm so excited and Katie (head coach) has been so great with the whole transition."