Player Spotlight: Emersen Cyza

<p><a href="http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/emersen-cyza/1jkfwVWZEeW-8KA2nzwbTA/gendersport/volleyball-stats.htm"><strong>Emersen Cyza</strong></a>, junior from Alliance, is a serious force to be reckoned with. The 6'0" outside hitter has 190 kills in 10 matches so far this season and is hitting an impressive .369 hitting percentage. Cyza was introduced to volleyball at a very young age as her mother has been a coach and her older sister was also involved in volleyball. Since she was 7, Cyza has been a gym rat, constantly watching and learning from her mom with a ball in her hand until she was old enough to play on her own team. Cyza says,</p> <p>"My mom technically never coached me, but I always look up to her in the stands and she always has something to say."</p> <p>Cyza takes her position as a role model seriously and finds giving back to younger players by teaching skills and aspects of the game is actually one of her favorite parts of the game. The coaching staff and teammates around her have also impacted her love for the game. Jessica Kaiser, head coach, has been a big part of Cyza's experience, Cyza says,</p> <p>"Coach is a huge role model in my life . . . We have become so close and I am so thankful for her."</p> <p>The five-star prospect has verbally committed to Wyoming and anticipates the next chapter in her volleyball journey. Since she was in 8th grade, Cyza has attended camps at Wyoming and has built relationships with coaches and players there, which was an influential factor in her decision. She is interested in a Sports Psychology major or something in the realm of speech and language.</p> <p>The bulldogs are off to a 8-2 start and have potential to grow yet this season. At the Holdrege Invite last Saturday, Alliance lost to GICC in the semi-final round, but gave the Crusaders a run for their money. Cyza was the most dominate player of the tournament. With 22 kills, Cyza led both teams in the semi-final match with a .327 hitting percentage, which is very impressive especially against a highly ranked team (GICC). The Wyoming recruit can hit anywhere along the net and takes a heavy swing out of the back row. Emersen Cyza's quick arm swing, power, and undisputed ability to get kills give her reason to be ranked in the top 10 of 2019 players in Nebraska. </p> <p>Cyza and the Bulldogs look forward to matching up with Sidney in a couple weeks. In their first meeting, Alliance pulled out a 3-1 victory in Sidney's gym after losing the first set. The atmosphere was electric and the next encounter is anticipated, Cyza said,</p> <p>"It will be an intense game . . . They are a fundamentally sound team with some very good hitters. It will be a fight."</p> <p>Alliance will attend a tournament this Saturday where they will match up with Lexington, Central (Cheyenne, WY), and Stevens (Rapid City, SD).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>