Gateway grad Jazlyn Rozier making most of final volleyball season at Point Park

When numerous collegiate athletic conferences cancelled or postponed fall seasons, it got Jazlyn Rozier wondering if the River States Conference, the NAIA home for the Point Park women’s volleyball team, would follow suit.

“We weren’t sure that by the time school came we would have the chance to play,” said the Gateway graduate and senior captain for the Pioneers.

“We were keeping our fingers crossed.”

Rozier and her Point Park teammates were relieved to find out that the season, modified to include just conference games, would proceed this fall.

“There were a lot of changes that have made for a different experience for me and the other five seniors, but we’re grateful we are playing right now,” Rozier said.

“Knock on wood that nothing changes between now and the end of November.”

Rozier said all of the safety protocols that must be followed for practices and home and away matches are worth it to make sure a healthy environment is maintained.

Point Park needed a sizeable rally against Carlow on Oct. 6 to even its season record at 3-3.

Rozier helped the cause with seven kills and six digs as the Pioneers came back from a two-game deficit to win 3-2.

“That was too close for us, for sure. But we stuck together and got the win. It was a total team effort,” said Rozier, who owns a 1.7 kills-per-set average over 333 sets played in three-plus seasons.

Point Park won three of four matches after an 0-2 start. A home match with Oakland City (Ind.) on Saturday was to be played past the deadline for this week’s edition.

Rozier said the team began to lay the foundation for the season over the spring and summer through Zoom calls three times a week with a personal trainer.

“Each of us did a lot of individual work while also keeping up to date with our coaches,” Rozier said.

The team came together for the first time Aug. 15. With no early-season tournaments or nonconference matches, the Pioneers had five weeks of workouts before the conference slate began Sept. 18.

Point Park will play regular-season conference matches until Nov. 7.

The NAIA announced in July that the national tournament for women’s volleyball and several other fall sports would be moved to the spring. That would give Point Park more than four months off if they are able to qualify.

As the team assembled to begin preparation for the season, Rozier’s participation was delayed while precautionary tests were performed to make sure she was healthy and ready to go after testing positive for covid-19 in June.

Rozier quarantined and was fully recovered a couple of weeks later.

“I am feeling 100% fine now,” Rozier said. “All my tests came back normal. They wanted to make sure everything was OK before I stepped on the court.”

Pioneers coach Bridget Bielich said the team is fortunate to have a leader like Rozier on the court for one final season.

“I have watched Jazlyn grow as a leader each year from the time she stepped foot on campus as a freshman,” Bielich said.

“I am very proud of the way she handles situations on and off the court. She has always been able to hold herself and her teammates accountable.”

Bielich said Rozier’s leadership and experience as a four-year starter will be missed.

“Jazlyn comes in each day ready to work and get better,” Bielich said. “She came in focused knowing that this was her last season, and she wanted to get the most out of it.”