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Cami Zajac has excelled in both the front and back rows for West Genesee High School, leading the team in kills (110) last season. But throughout her career, she’s been challenged by her diagnosis of Type I diabetes.

“It’s kind of affected me, sometimes I have to come out of games,” Zajac said. “I was diagnosed when I first started playing, but volleyball has helped me to not think about it too much.”

Zajac’s father, Brian, said that she was diagnosed when she was 10. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Type I limits the pancreas from creating enough insulin to help blood sugar distribute evenly into the body’s cells. Patients like Zajac check their blood sugar levels constantly, which she does during games.

“It’s a constant struggle for her. We didn’t know what it entailed, but to take over the job of an organ. For her, it’s draining,” said Lynn, her mother.

Yet, Zajac hasn’t let the disease affect her volleyball career. Zajac’s parents remembered a game when she had to exit because her blood sugar count was dropping. Zajac bolted to grab a granola bar. Brian and Lynn described how Zajac rushed to get back in the game, as crumbs from the bar fell to the ground while she ate it.

“I think (diabetes) is part of her life and she’s had to deal with it,” said Carrie Corley, West Genesee’s varsity volleyball coach. “She doesn’t let it be a part of her life, she doesn’t miss much at all. She pushes through the highs and lows.”

After starting as a defensive specialist in the back row, Zajac recently switched to outside hitter. The move has paid off, with Zajac leading the Wildcats in kills her junior year. This season against Westhill High School, Zajac racked up a career-high 10 kills.

Corley said that Zajac moved to outside hitter because she’s been more consistent with her front-row abilities.

Zajac began playing when she was 8, following in the footsteps of Brynn, her older sister. Brynn had just joined a local youth volleyball club in Liverpool, New York, Club SYRV.

“(Cami) thought she was too young, but she saw all those young kids trying it. I got her signed up and she loved it,” Lynn said.

Zajac was immediately hooked. She often practiced with her sister in the front yard. The two did peppering drills and occasionally hit their parent’s car with errant balls. She also started playing beach volleyball, which Zajac credited to her all-around ability.

“I think playing beach helped me become versatile because you have to know every single skill,” Zajac said. “I can do anything, it doesn’t matter what position you put me in, it helped me become this way.”

In middle school, Zajac’s ability continued to flourish. Corley took notice of Zajac’s play in seventh grade, deciding to move Zajac up to the varsity squad as an eighth grader.

“(Zajac) is a really smart volleyball player. She can play various positions, with (excellent) fundamentals,” Corley said. “(There’s so many qualities) like her never-quit defense and she goes after everything.”

Brian said Zajac had to show she could compete at a higher level. She was subject to tests that included running a mile in a specific amount of time while proving she was mature enough. Zajac passed these tests and was cleared to play.

From there, she dominated the back row for West Genesee. Zajac registered 72 digs her freshman season and followed up with 108 digs as a sophomore.

Now, Zajac is thriving in her role as an outside hitter. Her ability to push through her Type I diabetes diagnosis has inspired her family members along her journey.

“It has been a huge anchor around her feet,” Brian said. “She has just had to battle and battle with the things that come along with that… just to tread water.”

Published on October 8, 2023 at 10:55 pm

Contact Brooke: bnkillgo@syr.edu