VOLLEYBALL

Senior spotlight: Brooke Wierzbanowski a defensive playmaker on court, field

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

MOSINEE - Brooke Wierzbanowski has showed her range as an all-conference and all-state shortstop for the Mosinee softball team.

She also is a defensive playmaker for the volleyball team, an ability the libero demonstrated again during the Great Northern Conference meet No. 2 last weekend.

"She has a never-give-up attitude on the court," Mosinee coach Justin Jacobs said. "There have been countless plays in which she will get a ball up that I don't know if another kid in the conference would touch. She had another one on Saturday where (the ball) was so far off the court that our (video) camera didn't even pick it up. She tracked it down, got it back up and we won the point.

"You can't teach that kind of effort. She never gives up on a ball," Jacobs said. "Earlier in the day she tried to pancake a ball that was maybe 35 feet out (of the court), one where there was no real chance. But she didn't care and tried. That is her mindset out there."

Brooke Wierzbanowski has been a member of the Mosinee volleyball team since her freshman year and been the starting libero the past two seasons.

Wierzbanowski is in her fourth year with the varsity squad and a captain for a Mosinee team which clinched the GNC title last week, the program's first since 2010. Wierzbanowski, who was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about her favorite sports moments, her pregame rituals and why she wants to go to Italy, among other topics.

Do you have a nickname which your friends, teammates or family call you?

Actually I have a lot of nicknames. I go by just 'B' or 'Brookie' or 'Brooklyn.' Recently my volleyball nickname has been 'Beast.' I love them all. I actually don't like be calling Brooke because it feels so formal. I like the laid-back stuff.

What has been your most memorable sports moment?

(Last) Saturday. It was everything I have worked for since volleyball started. It came true. (The Great Northern Conference title) just motivates me to make the season special that same way.

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

It happened this year. A serve went right through my hands and onto my head. There also have been multiple times where I have put my foot on the (boundary) lines just thinking that a ball was going to be out and instead the ball landed directly on my foot. Those are just some embarrassing volleyball moments.

Do you have any pregame superstitions?

I have to put my right shoe, ankle brace and knee pad on before the left and at the highest note of the national anthem, I always close my eyes.

Are there certain teammates which you will especially miss after this season?

My best friend Sophie Kamke. Her and I have been on varsity since freshman year and we have experienced everything together. But over the past couple years our teams have been super close and they all have become my family, my sisters.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Lil Yachty.

Where is your dream vacation?

I have always wanted to go to Italy because I love pizza. I also really like warm weather and getting tan, so somewhere beachy and tropical.

What is your dream career?

For an actual career I would like to be a child life specialist, but for something fun, I would just like to have a job where I travel.

FAVORITES

Sport: I have gotten this question for a long time now and it always is based on the season. During volleyball I don't even think about the game of softball.

Pro or college athlete: (University of Wisconsin libero) Riley Bell.

Music group or artist: It's my crush (Lil Yachty) and I also like country music, especially Thomas Rhett.

TV show: "Chrisley Knows Best." I love reality TV.

Movie: "Wonder Woman" or "Frozen."