When Zuzanna Bury stepped onto the court last weekend, she was locked in.

Two matches. Two wins. Forty-six kills — including tying her career high of 27 — as she led Stetson to a 2–0 weekend sweep. The performance earned her ASUN Player of the Week, a well-deserved recognition for a player whose journey has been defined by determination, resilience, and quiet confidence.

But this story didn't begin with awards or milestones.

It began years ago, halfway across the world, with a young girl from Poland growing up in a family where athletics weren't just a hobby — they were a way of life.

A Family of Competitors

Sports run deep in Bury's household. Her grandfather was a bodybuilding champion. Her father, a professional basketball player. Competition was constant, but so was encouragement.

"People always say I got it from my dad," Bury says with a grin. "He's been my biggest supporter, but also my toughest coach."

Her father coached her in her early years — with a philosophy rooted in tough love. He'd tell her she was never quite good enough, not to discourage her, but to push her to dig deeper, to work harder, to never settle.

"It was hard sometimes," she admits, "but that's what made me the player I am now. He just wanted me to reach my potential."

A Diverse Athlete

Before volleyball, Bury explored just about every sport she could. Swimming. Track and field. Even basketball, following in her father's footsteps.

"Swimming taught me discipline. Track gave me power," she says. "But volleyball… volleyball gave me everything."

When she committed to volleyball full-time, she discovered not just a sport she loved, but a team environment that challenged her.

"The hardest part for me was the mental shift," she recalls. "In individual sports, it's just you. But in volleyball, you rely on everyone else — you win and lose together. That was new for me."

Her drive — and talent — opened the door to the opportunity of a lifetime: college volleyball in the United States.

Adjusting to a New World

Leaving Poland for the U.S. was both exciting and terrifying. The language was new. The food was different. Even volleyball itself felt unfamiliar.

"In Poland, practices were shorter, more focused on technique," she explains. "Here, it was longer, faster, and way more physical. It took time to adjust."
Her first stop was Towson University in Maryland, where she began to learn the American college volleyball rhythm — balancing classes, competition, and a new culture. But after a year, she knew she needed something different: more opportunity, more connection, more growth.

That's when she found Stetson.

Finding Home at Stetson

The transition wasn't easy. A new team, new coaches, and another unfamiliar environment meant starting over — again.
But at Stetson, Bury found something different.

"The coaches here really care about you as a person," she says. "They want you to be yourself. They care about how you feel, not just how you play."

Head Coach Yang Deng and assistant Omi Fuentes gave her the space to grow — not just as a hitter, but as a leader. They encouraged her to speak up, to take ownership of her role, and to trust her instincts.

That support system, combined with the connection she's built with her teammates, has shaped her both on and off the court.

"I used to be quiet," Bury says. "Now, I feel like I can lead. I can push others — and myself — to be better."

Leadership and Connection

One of the biggest parts of that growth came from the relationships she's built along the way — especially with her teammate and close friend Vanessa Shevchenko, whom she affectionately calls her "host family" in the U.S.

"Vanessa makes everything fun," Bury says, laughing. "She keeps me positive and reminds me to enjoy it all. That balance — being serious but also having fun — has been huge for me."

On the court, Bury's leadership is quiet but commanding. She doesn't need to shout to make her presence felt. Her energy, consistency, and work ethic set the tone for her teammates.

And the numbers back it up — Bury currently leads the ASUN in kills and total points, and she's already closing in on one of the top 10 single seasons in Stetson history in kills, kills per set, and total attack attempts.

It's a testament to her relentless work ethic and her growing influence as one of the conference's premier offensive players. "I want to be someone they can rely on," she says. "Someone they trust in big moments."

The Relentless Pursuit

Bury's journey is one of growth, grit, and constant evolution. She's learned to balance the pressure of expectations with the joy of the game.

"I'll probably never feel like I'm good enough," she admits, smiling. "But that's what drives me. That's what makes me keep working."

Looking ahead, her goals extend beyond DeLand. She dreams of returning to Europe to play professionally — a goal that feels closer every day.

"Playing pro has always been the dream," she says. "But right now, my focus is here — helping this team win and finishing what we started."

A Legacy in the Making

From a young girl in Poland learning under her father's watchful eye to a leader in the ASUN, Zuzanna Bury's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and relentless pursuit.
Her journey reminds us that success isn't just about the stats or the awards — it's about the growth that happens along the way.

And as she continues to carve her place in Stetson volleyball history, one thing is clear:

Zuzanna Bury isn't done yet.