John Carroll Senior Maddie Maziarz Named Printing Concepts Scholar-Athlete of the Month

Written by the John Carroll University University Sports Information Department

Every team needs a Maddie Maziarz.

A quintessential leader, Maziarz is not just a standout setter for John Carroll Volleyball, but a wonderful captain, student, and member of the community. 

Maziarz has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Printing Concepts Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September.

The Pittsburgh native is starting her senior year at John Carroll, building off of three strong seasons on and off the court. As the fall begins, Maziarz sports a 3.7 GPA while studying Accountancy. And her future is bright with future opportunities at PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the most successful accounting firms in the world. 

Maziarz shined brightly from the start of her John Carroll career despite her freshman year being defined by the COVID-19 pandemic. During first semester of college as a freshman, Maziarz and her classmates had to live off campus to stop the spread. 

So, in the fall of 2020, Maddie volunteered to coach her younger sister, Emmie, and Emmie’s volleyball team at Ave Maria Academy. Maddie’s middle school alma mater was recently closed in a merger. The transition has been a difficult one for Emmie and her classmates, so Maddie has looked to ease things by helping to coach. The head coach of that team? The matriarch of the family, Laurie Maziarz.

Also during the pandemic, Maziarz aided with a penpal project with students at a local elementary school. The kids and the teacher loved the activity, as it helped to engage young students learning English during a difficult time for young kids. 

In Spring 2021, students returned to campus, Maddie included. Her debut season went well, with 217 assists in 19 matches played, averaging 3.24 assists/set and adding 123 digs. Maziarz improved as a sophomore in the fall, upping her tallies to 260 assists, 3.29 assists/set, and 126 digs. 

Maziarz studied abroad in Spring 2022, spending the semester in London. Maziarz’s time in England studying business certainly helped her become a more well-rounded student-athlete. Her grades certainly reflected it, as she tallied Academic All-OAC honors in 2021 and 2022. 

“I thrive when I stay busy, as it helps me stay disciplined and organized. Also, prioritizing my mental and physical health is crucial so that I am able to perform at a high level,” says Maziarz. “My favorite part about my JCU experience has been the unwavering support system. Between professors, coaches and peers, this network has made my academic and athletic journey truly fulfilling.”

As a junior, Maziarz upped her performance once again, with her assists more than doubling to 477 and her assists per set rate ascending to 4.63. The Pittsburgher also added 212 digs plus 2.06 digs per set. Thanks in part to her efforts, the Blue Streaks played the underdog role in the OAC, rising from an eighth-place preseason prognostication to second place in the regular season standings and a runner-up finish in the OAC Tournament. 

During the leadup to her senior year, Maziarz was selected as a team captain. She worked hard in the offseason, particularly in the summer while working a full-time internship as an External Audit Intern for PwC in Pittsburgh. 

“I developed a keen understanding of financial auditing practices, collaborated with skillful professionals, and gained experience in many different industries,” says Maziarz. “I have just recently accepted a position to return in the fall of 2024 as a full-time Audit Associate.”

Under Maziarz’s leadership, the Blue Streaks are off to a great start this season, with a nice early-season winning streak in tow. Her guidance of her young teammates and her care for others sets her apart. This season, she’s spearheading team community service efforts with the Special Olympics and the Cleveland Animal Protective League (APL). All in all, she’s a fantastic Woman of Carroll.

“If you could draw a blueprint for a leader on your team, Maddie Maziarz is it,” said Benoit. “She interacts so well with her teammates and the coaching staff, and is poised and composed on the court as a de facto coach. She knows her skillset and works hard to build on it every day. She’s a great student, and very serious about her studies. Academics come naturally to her but she works hard at it. She’s a kind, caring person, and embodies the mission of the University.”