Athlete Of The Week: Jessica Brezwyn

 junior Jessica Brezwyn’s spike at the start of Game 1 against Willowbrook on Tuesday set the tone very quickly. The ball hitting her hand sounded like a rifle had just been fired. The ball slammed the gym floor with authority. 

“She (Brezwyn) can bring the thunder when she has to and she can put some emotion into her shots and get the team fired up,” Hornets coach Lisa Martinez said. 

Brezwyn put plenty of emotion into her shots and into her role as outside hitter with four kills and a service ace en route to a 25-6 Game 1 victory that took less than 10 minutes. She played solid defense in the Hornets’ 25-18 Game 2 win and had five kills and two service aces overall. She is Darien’s Athlete of the Week. 

How long have you been playing volleyball? I started playing club in third grade.

What inspired you? Usually people don’t start until junior high/high school. My sister played for coach Martinez, and I would go to the matches and I would hit the ball around against the wall after the matches, and my dad decided to get me into it and I just, like, fell in love with it.

How about other sports? I used to play softball when I was younger, but not anymore.

How about college? Given any thought to that? Yes. I have a couple of offers right now from University of Akron, in Ohio, and Central Michigan University.

Ah. A couple of MAC (Mid-American Conference) schools. Right, exactly.

On that same line, do you have any idea what you want to major in? I’m thinking of majoring in sports medicine. I really like being in the gym and that’s the kind of thing you need to know.

What about off the court? You have any hobbies? Um … I really like hanging out with my friends.

You made it to the supersectionals last year. You make it to state this year if … If we … yeah, if we play with our hearts. We know what it felt like last year, getting to where we did. If we play with our hearts and play together we’ll get there.