Hozian has winning moves

To the people who told Conant senior Katherine Hozian she should try the sport of volleyball, they sure knew what they were talking about,

Instead of dancing at school musicals this fall, Hozian is high-stepping it on the volleyball floor where she is one of the Mid-Suburban League's top players.

"I was a very active and athletic kid growing up. I played on a variety of sports teams, but my main focus had always been on dance, gymnastics and music," she said. "Because of my height (now a 6-foot outside hitter), I grew out of gymnastics and many people told me I should go out for volleyball."

That's exactly what she did in seventh grade.

Now a superb high school player, Hozian has made a verbal commitment to play for Olivet Nazarene University.

"It's the exact type of school I would attend, whether or not I was playing volleyball. It also has the benefit of having an extremely successful volleyball program, and a great head coach and coaching staff."

Hozian plans to study athletic training or math education.

For now, she is providing training and education to young volleyball players on how the game should be played.

"Katherine Hozian is the consummate student of the game," said Conant Hall of Fame coach Peggy Scholten, now in her 32nd season directing the program. "Her work ethic and the time commitment to raising her level of play, is second to none. A couple of years ago, Katherine gave up some other school activities to pursue the opportunity to play at the college level. Her commitment has led her to the NAIA athletic scholarship (at Olivet)."

Hozian has helped lead the Cougars to an 8-2 record and 3-0 in the Mid-Suburban West.

"Katherine continues to strive for excellence and has recently moved from her middle blocking position to the outside," Scholten added. "With more defensive responsibilities and offensive attempts, she continues to up her game. Being the perfectionist that Katherine is and taking her captain's role very seriously, I know she will continue to lead the Cougars to many successes."

Hozian was an active and athletic young girl, playing on a variety of sports teams.

She began playing volleyball in the seventh grade at Mead Junior High in Hoffman Estates.

"We had a very successful team my two years there," Hozian said. "But I almost didn't try out for volleyball in high school because at the time I was more interested in dance."

She tried out for the "Charrelles" dance team and volleyball her freshman year to see what would happen.

"When I found out that I had made both teams, I had to make a choice," Hozian said. "The choice was volleyball and before long I knew I had made the right decision. My freshman year, I actually started on the sophomore team."

And as a sophomore, Hozian started for Scholten's varsity.

"I was also in band through sophomore year, and played snare drum on the drum line," she said. "I chose to give up playing in the band to fully commit to volleyball."

It all paid off as Hozian was an all-conference selection and all-area honorable mention as a junior."

In addition, she is a top performer in the classroom earning academic honors each year and sporting a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of the National Honor Society and class council at Conant.

This past year, Hozian's Rolling Thunder Volleyball Club team qualified for the USA Junior Olympic national championships in Dallas, Texas. Hozian was chosen for the USA High Performance A-1 Camp the past two years.

"One thing I love about volleyball is being a part of a small, close team," Hozian said. "We spend a lot of time together and really get to know each other. Also, even though I played middle for a long time and enjoyed that, I wanted to be an outside hitter because it gives me the chance to play all around.

"I absolutely love playing defense and back row. It feels great to get a dig, and make a pass that no one would expect to be dug. I always want to be able to make a play that changes, or adds momentum in our team's favor."

So far, the Cougars haven't been converting a lot of solid plays on the floor as they battle for a Mid-Suburban West crown.

"I am so excited for this year's Conant volleyball season," Hozian said. "I have grown up with a lot of the girls on the Conant team. Several of us have played together since seventh grade.

"Last year we ended really well (regional championship). This year, I think we can build on that success."