On the 2022 Hofstra volleyball team, each player has shown they have what it takes to make the Pride the best team in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). However, one player has surged to the top and led this team: redshirt senior Zyare Abdul-Rahim. Abdul-Rahim has had a stellar season with each of her performances outshining the last.
“This season for me has been really awesome,” Abdul-Rahim said. “We’re undefeated in conference, and that’s a really good feeling, especially since I’m playing a larger role this year. It’s also nice to see some of the new players stepping up.”
As one of only two seniors on the Hofstra volleyball team, Abdul-Rahim shared further insight into an off-the-court way she bonds with and guides the team as part of that role.
“I do feel that I’m one of the key leaders on this team,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I do feel that I have to step into this role when things get tough and be an open ear for the younger players.”
With leadership heavy on Abdul-Rahim’s mind this season, she proved she can handle everything as the team has an undefeated record in the CAA so far. The team went on a historic 12-game winning streak until it was snapped in a non-conference matchup against Chicago State University. However, Abdul-Rahim doesn’t seem too worried about the team’s loss as they come to the final stretch of their season.
“For me, I think [the Chicago State game] was just more so of a mental game,” said Abdul-Rahim. “I don’t feel that it was one of my best games in terms of numbers, so I feel that I have to work harder to try and get myself back to where I can be.”
The connections that have been built among the members of this team also get their fair recognition by Abdul-Rahim.
“The relationships that you have with your teammates on and off the court really allow you to sit down and talk with the team and tell them that we got to be there for each other,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I believe in a team sport; it’s more about energy, rather than physicality and talent.”
Abdul-Rahim explained that she learned the importance of teamwork from a completely different team: her mom and sister. Before each weekend of games, she talks with the two to get her mindset on the right track for the upcoming competitions.
“A lot of talks with my mom and sister; I could say to myself that I could’ve done more, but they are there for me to let me know what I’m doing and that [I’m not going to] be perfect, ” Abdul-Rahim said. “Ultimately, [they are] just telling me that I have been working hard and it will eventually pay off and that will get [me] to the finish line.”
Abdul-Rahim has reflected on playing Division 1 volleyball because of the stress it has brought her and her teammates. At times it’s easy, almost tempting, to throw in the towel, but her mom and sister always put her back on her feet and help her move forward.
“They were so involved in my volleyball career, and they kept pushing me because there have been many moments within my years of playing that I couldn’t do it anymore and I wanted to quit,” Abdul-Rahim said. “But they’ve been there and encouraged me [to] stay with it.”
That relationship Abdul-Rahim has with her family is what motivates and keeps her going throughout the season and even the rest of the year. On the other side of that equation is her relationship with volleyball coach Emily Mansur, a big part of her Hofstra family.
“[Coach Mansur] and I have a good relationship, and of course sometimes we have rocky moments and everything, but I feel, all in all, she keeps me grounded,” Abdul-Rahim explained. “She puts in the extra time with me and that’s something I can really appreciate, that she sees that energy in me and that my team sees that energy in me, too. That helps me feel more confident in myself.”
Mansur further elaborated on why Abdul-Rahim is such an important part of the team this season and how they have built their relationship over the past couple of years.
“[Abdul-Rahim] has been a huge asset, mentally, emotionally and with playing, she has really grown as a big leader of the group,” Mansur said. “I think we see the difference that she makes in each and every game we play. We are not able to succeed without her being such a big presence on this team.”
As the season comes to an end, the final two games on Hofstra’s regular season schedule are against Towson University, who currently sits right behind the Pride in CAA standings with one game separating them.
“Towson, honestly is the hardest competition in the whole conference; they have some great hitters,” Abdul-Rahim said. “That’s what makes them a very good team, [but] I believe we can stay locked in and prepare ourselves mentally for that game, because I know they’re out for us.”
Abdul-Rahim has etched a legacy for herself in the public eye, one where she can prove that she is capable of doing anything she sets her mind to. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that she has her eyes on the ultimate goal: going pro.
“After Hofstra, I plan on playing professionally,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I’m hoping that I can, and I know that I’ve gone this far, so I should just keep going and try to make a name for myself in the volleyball community.”
In the meantime, the Pride is about to launch itself into playoff season, so the senior is taking it one step at a time.
“Right now, I just want to focus on my college career and then see where that takes me.”
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
