Zapalac a Record-Setting Setter for Lady Horns

Schulenburg volleyball player Landry Zapalac is the daughter of Shorthorns head volleyball coach Donald Zapalac and when it comes to being on the court, it’s likely she’s impressed him as a dad and as a coach.

The sophomore setter helped lead her team to the state tournament last year and Schulenburg is on the same kind of track this year, boasting a 29-12 overall record and an undefeated record of 8-0 in district play. Zapalac also tied the Schulenburg school record for assists in a match earlier this season with 59 assists.

“There’s always that line of ‘hey, you’re coaching your daughter, you’re coaching your kid,’” said Donald Zapalac. “I try to treat them all the same, so she knows she’s got the same punishment as everybody else when it comes down to it, when we’re talking about team work stuff. Thing out there on the court though, we can look at each other and she can know what I mean without having to tell her all the time. It’s kind of little bit better that way. Honestly, we don’t talk volleyball when we’re at home, so it’s kind of ‘hey, this is where we’re at’ and we talk volleyball when we’re playing volleyball.”

Zapalac’s continued dominance as a setter early in her career has made her our choice for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.

Question: What’s your best memory with your dad in regards to volleyball?

Answer: “Actually last year, our second round of playoffs, we got to play in Brenham which is normally where we play regionals and we played Thorndale. It was a very tough game. We went five sets. We were able to pull it out, but that was the most emotional I think we’ve ever been together. It was really down to the wire, so it was very special to be able to get that.”

Question: What kind of mindset do you have going into each game as a setter?

Answer: “Just that I want to do the very best that I can. You know, help my team whichever way and I have to be able to do my job so the hitters can do theirs. Just that we all work together so we can win.”

Question: Who’s a teammate you spend the most time with outside of school and sports?

Answer: “Reagan (Dusek) our right side. We are in the same class, so I see her the most. We’ve been friends for a while and have been playing together since fifth grade. Played a few years of club together, so I spend the most time with her.”

Question: Which would you rather have, a Snickers candy bar or Reese’s peanut butter cups? Answer: “Probably Reese’s peanut butter. I like peanut butter a lot, so definitely that.”

Question: How often do you and your dad talk about volleyball outside of practice or games? Answer: “Not very often. If there’s anything we want to talk about, we talk about it right after practice or just after the game. Little scouting reports but none at home.”

Question: You tied the school record this year for assists in a game with 59. Is that the most assists you’ve ever had in a game or can you recall a game where you had more? Answer: “I believe that’s the most assists I’ve ever had. That was a very long game.”

Question: If you had the option to trick or treat at any place you wanted, where would you go and why? Answer: “Maybe like a beach town because I feel like the water would be kind of scary as if you’re on the beach then and things are coming out. It’d be cool.”

Question: What’s an activity you and your dad do together that doesn’t involve volleyball? Answer: “We play card games a lot at my house and we definitely get way too competitive. UNO and stuff, so we do play that a lot and I enjoy it.”

Question: What’s something on your bucket list that you’d like to achieve? Answer: “Scuba diving. I really like the water and the beach, so I feel like it’d be really cool.”

Question: How does this year’s Schulenburg team compares to last year’s state tournament team? Answer: “Definitely I think this year, we’re a little more comfortable with each other and now we’ve got a year together, so I definitely think we’re a little bit stronger mentally. We did lose some very important players, but I think we bounced back pretty well and are still playing good as a team.”

In order to put down a good kill, it helps to have a setter like Zapalac, who has shined tremendously.