The News-Press Athlete of the Week winner for Sept. 9-13, Riverdale volleyball's Olivia Znotens

The News-Press selects athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports@news-press.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll each Monday on news-press.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of The News-Press Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Services receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, The News-Press will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.

The News-Press Athlete of the Week sponsored by Elevate Home Services winner for Sept. 9-13 was Riverdale High volleyball player Olivia Znotens. The junior captured 45% of the votes. To be selected for the poll, Znotens had 18 kills, 2 aces, and 22 digs for the Raiders in a 3-1 win against North Fort Myers.

Question: How did you start playing volleyball?

Znotens: I was about 6 years old and my mom took me to a YMCA camp, and I kind of just stuck with it. I fell in love with it, and it was like the first sport I tried, and I didn't want to try anything else.

What's been one of your most memorable moments playing volleyball?

Znotens: I would say during my 14s year for club, that was when we qualified for USAV Nationals, and we won Orlando Nationals, so that was a big deal for us. And I would say last year for high school season when I broke the school record for in-season kills.

Previously: The News-Press Athlete of the Week winner for Sept. 3-7, Mariner bowler Trey Lemus

What are your goals this season for your team and individually?

Znotens: Personally, I want to break a record for 1,000 kills my junior season. That'd be really cool. And then as a team, win districts and qualify for regionals.

What do you think is the hardest part of being a high school athlete that people don't realize?

Znotens: I think just balancing your social life plus a sport plus school. You just kind of have to find that balance.

Previously: The News-Press Athlete of the Week winner for Aug. 26-31, Bishop Verot bowler Mia Gasperini

What are you looking for in a college?

Znotens: If you asked me this two years ago, I would have said I want to get out of Florida. But now I love it, I love the sun, so I definitely want to stay in Florida, and I want to go D1.

As a junior, have you started looking at schools?

Znotens: I just started being able to hear from D1s so I'm still at the beginning of the recruiting process, but I don't really feel any pressure yet. I'm kind of just going to let it happen and just let it flow.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: The News-Press Athlete of the Week winner for Sept. 9-13, Riverdale volleyball's Olivia Znotens