Walking into Niles West on the first day of school, it was inevitable that freshman Nicole Zelazko was going to be a little nervous. But unlike most freshmen, Zelazko spent most of the summer playing volleyball with the varsity team at camp, and even at tryouts. So, it was a little easier for her to adapt to the school after befriending the upperclassmen on the team.

“Obviously I was a little nervous coming into the school. I’ve heard so much about high school, the good and the bad. But I was really excited about meeting new people and having a lot more freedom, and the sports for sure!” Zelazko said.

Aside from volleyball, Zelazko is planning on trying out for basketball, and wants to join a club. But for now, her main focus is volleyball. Being a freshman on the team is a big honor, but it’s a lot of hard work and dedication. Zelazko is ready for the challenge.

“Nicole is such a hard worker and she is going to be a big asset to this team. She has the ability to be a really good player, and she is going to do something great one day,” said teammate and junior, Alex Gillespie.

Since Zelazko still has a lot of time to figure out what she wants to do when she grows up, she doesn’t quite know what she wants to do yet. But she does have an interest in therapy or psychiatry, because she likes to help people with their problems. If she got the chance, Zelazko would jump at the opportunity to play volleyball in college.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to get better in the next four years and potentially be able to play after high school,” Zelazko said.

She is very excited to see what the rest of her high school career has to offer, and she plans on taking it day by day. Zelazko knows that if she always tries her best and puts in the effort, good things will come.