For some athletes, volleyball is just a sport. For Aubrie Krzus, it’s a story, one that could fill the pages of a book. If she had to title it, she wouldn’t complicate it with metaphors or flashy words. It would simply be called “My Journey.”
“It’s been such a journey from my freshman year to now,” Krzus said. “Me and my team are completely different from when I started here. I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person and a player, so ‘my journey’ is very fitting.”
What fans see from the stands – the confidence, the leadership, the fire displayed on the court – isn’t the full picture. Off the hardwood Krzus is surprisingly introverted.
“I think people would never guess that I’m kind of a shy person,” Krzus said. “I’m very introverted off the court, but when I step on the court, I feel like I’m a completely different person. My teammates bring out a side of me that people don’t usually get to see, and I think that’s awesome.”
That bond with her teammates is one of the things she treasures most. Whether it’s huddling up in the locker room to play quick games before coach Boudreau comes in, or hyping each other up while their opponent warms up, the Warhawks make sure to carve out their own sacred moments.
“It’s just two or three minutes of team time before the game, but it really shows how close we are,” Krzus said.
Behind the confidence and camaraderie, Krzus’ story hasn’t come without its challenges. Last spring, she tore her labrum. She never got surgery, yet she still plays through the pain.
“I basically had to relearn everything from scratch,” Krzus said. “I just had to relearn how to hit a couple weeks ago. But when I step on the court, I forget about my shoulder. It’s game mode. I just focus on my team.”
That resilience has also shaped her outlook on success. For Krzus, it’s never been about stats or records.
“Success in volleyball means building connections with my teammates and coaching staff,” Krzus said. “That’s such a special thing in this program. We’re all just best friends, and people notice it. Other teams ask us how we’re so close, and what we do differently.”
Krzus’ advice to her younger self is simple: focus on what matters most.
“I’d tell my freshman self to put schoolwork first,” Krzus said. “Being Division III, we have such a good balance, and I really appreciate that. Our coach is always supportive if we need to study. I’d also tell myself to branch out more and make friends outside of sports. I’ve been lucky to have those groups inside and outside of my sport.”
And if volleyball didn’t exist, Kruzs already knows where she’d pour her energy. Recently, she shifted her major from education to human performance, and she’s diving into her studies with the same determination she brings to the court.
“I’d probably be pouring myself into my schoolwork, especially learning the basics in my new major,” Krzus said.
At the end of the day, volleyball is still Aubrie Krzus’ story. The long, winding, difficult, yet beautiful journey.
