Freshman outside Carly Wazac has turned heads early in her career with the Kirkwood Eagles. She has been a dominant force for the offense through the first 20 matches of the season, helping power Kirkwood to a 19-1 start to the season. However, the road up to this point was not always clear for the 6-foot-3 star from Fairfax.
Before she became a staple of Johnson Hall, she was a high school star at Prairie High School. In her senior year she was named to the all-state first team and tallied a state leading 423 kills on a .339 kill percentage while also posting 83 blocks and 216 digs.
Wazac has always seen volleyball as a defining aspect of who she is. “Volleyball has always been one of the most important things in my life,” she said.
“I feel like it really helps define who I am, not just because it’s a sport but because of the teammates and the coaches that have come with it. I feel like it shaped me as a person. Since I’ve gotten here, it’s helped me excel, not just on the court, but in life in general.”
Kirkwood wasn’t Wazac’s first choice, however. In her junior year, the all-American hopeful originally committed to Wichita State before deciding to stay closer to home, committing to Kirkwood late in her senior year.
“Wichita State from my house is like seven hours. I’m not a big homebody, but I just can’t really imagine being that far away from my parents,” she said. “I had been committed there for about a year and a half, and as time went on, I almost started to get more nervous than excited, and I feel like you should be excited rather than nervous.”
Wazac explained that she was second-guessing herself and no longer felt confident in her decision, leading her to research Kirkwood Community College as an alternative.
Her history with Kirkwood, having taken classes through the college while she was in high school, as well as both the academic and athletic success of Kirkwood, helped sway the star freshman into staying home.
She also credited former high school teammate and former Eagles defensive specialist Maggie Lueck for helping influence the decision to go to Kirkwood. Lueck had high praise for head coach David Brown and the rest of the Eagles coaching staff.
“We looked into the coaching staff before I came on a visit here. I really like the campus and the coaching staff. My first impression was great,” said Wazac.
It was Brown’s history of coaching that intrigued Wazac the most: “I can tell just from the experience that he’s had and the way his seasons prior had developed, especially his time here at Kirkwood. I can tell he’s taken the program to the next level in just the three years that he’s been here.”
Brown is in the midst of his third season with the Eagles, leading them to two ICCAC titles, two national tournament appearances, a quarter finals finish and a team record of 87-19. He and Wazac have the same goal in mind for this season: bringing home their first and the Eagles’ second national championship.
After posting 5 kills in her Eagles debut, Wazac has quickly carved out a significant role for herself on this talented Eagles roster, earning more trust from her coaching staff and teammates with every game.
“I really feel like it’s only up from here,” she said. “It’s obviously a default mindset to have. I can feel myself getting better every day. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it. In the weight room, practice, everything that involves volleyball, I give it my all every day.”
She continued, “I haven’t always been that kind of player. Being here has changed my mindset. It has made me so much more motivated. I feel every aspect of myself mentally and physically excelling. I’m very, very excited to see where things go with this team and myself as a player.”
Wazac added that Coach Brown has strongly impacted her early in her time at Kirkwood. “I remember on our visit. He said, ‘You can be funny outside the court and joke around, but when we’re on the court, it’s game time. It’s business,’ and I really respect that,” she said. “I really respect his drive and passion. I think it helps me become more competitive and compassionate as a player as well.”
She continued, “I think his mindset really rubs off on us. He, as a coach, has really impacted the way that we think as a team. It’s made us a very fundamentally and mentally sound team.”
Wazac again emphasized her work ethic, saying she feels that if she can put her best foot forward and continue to work hard, she can continue to evolve as a player, but also that she can count on her teammates to help her excel.
“To be blunt, we wouldn’t be 17-1 without her,” said Brown. “She has had a huge impact on the team both offensively and with her blocks.”
He continued, “She has brought a level of play on that right side that we’ve needed. For us, with our hitters, we don’t really provide an opponent with a break. You have a first-team All-American in Kaci Johnson on the right side, then the second she’s setting in the back row, you have Carly.”
Brown has nothing but praise for Wazac’s attitude both on and off the court. “Her attitude and everything that has come along with it has been really refreshing. She’s really gotten into her role, but her efficiency and the way she has provided for this team so far has been amazing.”
“Trust is building between her and her teammates,” he added. “I know Kaci [Johnson], the person that sets her the most, is trusting her a lot more, so she’s getting more and more attempts as the year goes on because she’s proving herself in that position.”
Brown emphasized how important Wazac’s activity on the court is for the Eagles’ success early in the season. He pointed out how when she isn’t attacking, she holds the middle block, allowing the outsides a one-on-one opportunity.
“She does a lot more even without the ball than I had anticipated,” he said. “For her teammates, she provides a consistent, reliable attacker that puts balls away, and when she’s not putting balls away, she’s blocking. She’s really nice to have, and I know her teammates appreciate it, too.”
Brown knew Wazac had Division I talent and potential but expected her to take some time to get acclimated. “She’s been like this since game one. That’s what’s impressed me the most,” he said. “I didn’t anticipate her to come on so quickly; that’s super rare from a freshman.”
He continued, “She’s proven to me, she’s proven the fact that she deserves to be here and be on the court every match because her numbers speak for themselves, I knew she had it in her.”
The dominant two-way play of Wazac has been a major standout for the Eagles so far in their 2025 campaign. She trails only reigning conference player of the year Johnson (172) on the team in kills with 162 despite only attacking 340 times.
She has also been carried a major impact defensively for the Eagles with 39 total blocks, trailing middle hitters Madalyn Boyer (49) and Chloe Baez (40).
Brown describes Wazac as a bright light for the Eagles. He added that while she’s looked upon to produce for the team, when she’s not doing that, she’s making the team, and the coaching staff laugh. He added that she is a great friend, a great teammate and a great player.
“The sky’s the limit for her, said Brown. “Wherever she decides to go from here, she’s going to do great. Having her here has been a really, really big blessing for us in terms of her as a person and as a volleyball player.
“I just appreciate her. I appreciate what she’s doing. She makes my job easier as a coach. She’s very hard to play against, so I’m very thankful that we have her on our team.”
Wazac agreed, adding that one of her goals for this season is to be named to an All-American team. She believes that with the support of her teammates, she can achieve that goal.
“I just love my team a lot,” said Wazac. “It’s honestly one of the best experiences I’ve had yet. I feel like it’s been amazing so far and I’m really, really excited to see what the next year and a half is gonna look like.”
Categories: Sports, Volleyball
