As one of the most accomplished court volleyball players in Georgia State history, this week we are highlighting Eliza Zachary, who played from 2012-2016. 

A native of Minnesota, Zachary was drawn to Atlanta and to GSU because the diverse and bustling city was a good change of pace from life in the Midwest. During her rookie campaign, Zachary made an immediate impact. She recorded 141 kills and accumulated the most blocks on the team, en route to being named to the All-CAA Rookie Team.

Throughout her college career Zachary would continue to impress as the program joined the Sun Belt conference. At the end of her sophomore season she was named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team behind a .306 hitting percentage and 357 kills. Her 1,074 career kills ranks eighth in program history. 

"My time at Georgia State is so special to me," said Zachary. "The school is amazing and representing such a beautiful diverse place on the court was an honor." 

Apart from the accomplishments on the court, Zachary is thankful for the friends and the Panther Family she created in her collegiate career. 

"My teammates are my family," said Zachary. "We are still really close, especially those in my class."

Upon graduation, Zachary played volleyball abroad in Sweden for a season. In 2018 she returned to the United States and moved to Florida to be close to the beach. Today, she works as an associate producer for a travel deal company, Travelzoo. In her work she has learned about and made a name for herself in the travel marketing space, while using many lessons she learned in her imes as a student-athlete. 

"One of the biggest lessons came from Sally Polhamus," said Zachary. "She works so hard to ensure that players know volleyball is not forever and when you enter the real world you need to bring the same grit and determination as you did on the court."