Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(written by Emily Zadny, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Feb. 15, 2016 -  "My favorite part about playing volleyball is when I get 'in the zone' during gameplay," said North Central College men's volleyball player Jacob Zemba. "My adrenaline is rushing but it feels like everything is in slow motion even though it is actually going one hundred miles per hour. Volleyball is like a whole different world to me."
 
Zemba found a niche for sports at a young age. His father had played volleyball throughout high school and college and his grandfather's history in a multitude of sports, combined with experience and wisdom created the perfect foundation for his athletic career.
 
"My step-grandfather was my mentor for every sport I played and I consider him to be the most influential person in my life," said Zemba. "Back in the day, he was a prestigious baseball and basketball player, as well as a golfer and played among some of the most talented athletes in Pennsylvania.
 
"To me, his wisdom in sport outweighed anyone else's in the world. He impacted my life greatly by teaching me great leaderships skills and the attributes that I have today which help push me to become a person of success."
 
Zemba spent the majority of his life playing baseball and basketball as well as splitting time as a member of the varsity golf squad in high school. His freshman year of high school, the men's volleyball coach persuaded him to try out for the team, a decision that paid off four years later.
 
When the time came to start visiting colleges, North Central stood out to the Derry, Pennsylvania native. An impressive sport management program and the allure of being a part of the college's inaugural men's volleyball team peaked his interest.
 
"It was an honor to be recruited for the inaugural team," said Zemba. "I knew that this opportunity to play volleyball at the collegiate level was a dream that I could not pass up."
 
Zemba has played an important role in his and the team's first season of collegiate competition. He leads the team in kills (81), service aces (9), and digs (59) in the season's first 10 matches. He had a season-high 15 assists in the program's inaugural match against Loras College on Jan. 24 and a season-high 15 kills against Benedictine University on Jan. 26.
 
"It is one of the best feelings to be a part of the first men's volleyball team and be a part of the historical aspect of a new program at North Central," said Zemba. "The competition level is extremely high which makes us push each other to perform to our best abilities on the court."
"It is also exciting to be the foundation of a Cardinal program because each and every member of the team is the start of a new dynasty."
 
Just as he and his teammates are adjusting to a new program and coach, Zemba is also adjusting to life as a college student. When he is not on the court, Zemba participates in intramural sports and is a member of the Cardinal First Program for first-generation college students. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends, putting in additional training for volleyball, and following professional hockey and baseball.
 
With the season just getting started and in full swing in his second term as a Cardinal, Zemba has nothing but a positive outlook for the season and everything to come.
 
"I am most excited about developing chemistry among my teammates in order to become a high caliber team. The team has an abundance of talent and is very competitive.  This makes the game exciting."
 
The Cardinals embark on a Wisconsin road trip this weekend, first to the No. 15-ranked Milwaukee School of Engineering on Friday, followed by a match at No. 3-ranked Carthage College on Saturday. Click HERE to access live video coverage and in-match statistics.