We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Zamari Christensen. *** Our latest Player of the Week is coming off a tremendous 2023 in which she starred in both club and high school. Zamari Christensen – a 4-star setter from the Class of 2027 – wrapped up last club season helping Club V 14 Silver to a fifth-place showing in 14 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships and then capped her high school campaign at Woods Cross by finishing third in the Utah 5A state championships. Christensen spent time playing soccer and softball and participating in dance before she shifted gears to volleyball. While she can’t exactly remember what drove her to the sport, she does know she lived close to a nearby club and once she began playing at 8 she has been hooked since. “Volleyball was super fun,” she said. “I was always looking forward to it every week. I was dying to go and play.” She spent three years playing libero before turning into a setter. She said it was hard and stressful at first, but once she started to get the hang of it she’s really grown to love the position. “I love being able to control the court and the flow of the team,” Christensen said. “Just being able to have that leadership and control the pace and that aspect.” She was guiding the attack for Club V last spring but even she didn’t suspect what was ahead for her squad. Not only did Club V qualify for Open, Christensen and company found their groove and rode it to nearly a podium finish after falling to Madfrog 14 Green in the quarterfinals. “We did so much better,” she said. “We have always been in silver bracket. We weren’t expecting to be one of the top teams. We were super excited. It was fun to be able to compete with the top teams and even beat some and prove we belong in the top. During Nationals we really played together as a team.” It led Christensen into her high school season. However, she was unsure whether or not she would make varsity. Even when she learned she did make it, she didn’t know how much playing time she would see. “There were two setters ahead of me and I didn’t know what my role would be,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect of the season. I was not expecting to get third. It was super fun. It was a lot different than club. I didn’t feel very stressed out, I just could go play freely.” Christensen finished the year leading the team in assists with 578, averaging 6.2 per set. She was also third in digs while twice posting 40 assists or more, including a season-high 47 in a late September victory over Box Elder. Christensen finished 2023 by participating in The Red Hat Games in Dallas a week before Christmas. “I thought it was super fun,” she said. “I’ve never been to something like that before. It was fun having the red carpet and everyone having a big, shining moment.” As we head into 2024, Christensen and her Club V 15s teammates are set to play this coming weekend at the Tour of Texas before embarking on their quest to make another push toward medaling. “We got some new girls, so we have some new talent,” Christensen said. “I think this year we are going to be competitive and I’m really excited to see what we are about to do through the year and especially at nationals.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Christensen about volleyball and more. Who is a role model or someone you look up to? Christensen: It’s my club coaches so far. They have all had a huge impact on the player I am today. Some have worked on making me mentally tough. Others have each developed a different skill, so it’s my club coaches. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would you do and why? Christensen: I would spend a day at the beach and go shark diving and play beach volleyball. Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why? Christensen: I would definitely want to learn to be able to make sculptures and carvings and that type of stuff. I would like to expand my knowledge on art and those type of things. Do you have any volleyball superstitions or rituals and if so what? Christensen: Yes, I have to have goldfish at every single tournament but I can’t eat any of them until after the first game of the day. I don’t remember how it started but I always have goldfish but I can’t eat them before the first game or it messes with me. Aside from basic necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without? Christensen: My Aquaphor stick or lip balm. I always need some sort of lip balm with me. What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile? Christensen: Something that makes me smile is when I first walk into practice and see my teammates. They make the funniest jokes. One person on my team always has something funny to say and it puts a smile on my face. What’s one of your favorite ways to have fun? Christensen: I love going shopping with my family and friends and then going out to eat afterward. Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why? Christensen: I’m very passionate about school, especially having all my assignments turned in on time so I’m not stressing on grades when the term is
