Photo by: David Beach
Sahara Maruska Signs With Demon Deacons Volleyball
4/2/2024 10:17:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Coming from Rice University, the Houston native is Wake Forest’s third transfer pickup of 2024.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The current spring offseason continues to remain active for Wake Forest volleyball, as the program and head coach Randi Smart announced the signing of Sahara Maruska on Tuesday (April 2).
Maruska previously spent the last four years at Rice University and will come in as a graduate transfer for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. She has primarily played as an outside hitter throughout her collegiate career.
"We're adding another player who comes from a great background of playing experience," noted Coach Smart. "She has been to the NCAA tournament and knows what it takes to get there. She's fast and can stabilize a lot of things in the back row for us. Her arm and jumping ability will make her an offensive threat. We're very excited to get her here! She's full of leadership, moxie and personality."
Sahara Maruska | 5-8 | Outside Hitter | Houston, Texas | Rice University
Coming off her senior season in fall 2023, Maruska started in 25 of 27 appearances while ranking third on the team in points (247), points per set (2.49), kills (209), kills per set (2.11), service aces (19), digs (293) and digs per set (2.96). The Houston native posted a season-high 17 kills at Tulsa on Sept. 24, 2023 and had 21 digs in a road match at SMU (Oct. 20, 2023), along with three blocks on two separate occasions. As a junior, Maruska ranked 13th in Conference USA for kills per set (2.82) and recorded eight double-doubles for the year. Her career high of 23 digs happened twice – versus Texas Tech (Sept. 11, 2022) and at UAB (Oct. 14, 2022). She finished fourth or higher on the team in kills each year and helped lead the Owls to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (2020-22) and a Conference USA tournament championship in 2022. Other accolades of Maruska's, on and off the court, during her Rice tenure include:
Why Wake?:
"Wake as a university offers an opportunity for students to be successful and provides support for each student in his or her academic endeavors," said Maruska. "Wake's volleyball program is building a very unique culture that embraces their athletes as people first and athletes second. The combination of the academic and athletic support, along with a desire to push student-athletes to be the best they can be in all aspects of life, is why I chose Wake.
"I want to make strong connections with my teammates and coaches and win. More specifically, I would like to help this team go to the NCAA tournament at the end of the season."
Maruska is the daughter of John and Nikki-Brock Maruska, having two siblings: NiMya (19) and John Nikolas (9). She plans to pursue medical school in the future.
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Maruska previously spent the last four years at Rice University and will come in as a graduate transfer for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. She has primarily played as an outside hitter throughout her collegiate career.
"We're adding another player who comes from a great background of playing experience," noted Coach Smart. "She has been to the NCAA tournament and knows what it takes to get there. She's fast and can stabilize a lot of things in the back row for us. Her arm and jumping ability will make her an offensive threat. We're very excited to get her here! She's full of leadership, moxie and personality."
Sahara Maruska | 5-8 | Outside Hitter | Houston, Texas | Rice University
Coming off her senior season in fall 2023, Maruska started in 25 of 27 appearances while ranking third on the team in points (247), points per set (2.49), kills (209), kills per set (2.11), service aces (19), digs (293) and digs per set (2.96). The Houston native posted a season-high 17 kills at Tulsa on Sept. 24, 2023 and had 21 digs in a road match at SMU (Oct. 20, 2023), along with three blocks on two separate occasions. As a junior, Maruska ranked 13th in Conference USA for kills per set (2.82) and recorded eight double-doubles for the year. Her career high of 23 digs happened twice – versus Texas Tech (Sept. 11, 2022) and at UAB (Oct. 14, 2022). She finished fourth or higher on the team in kills each year and helped lead the Owls to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (2020-22) and a Conference USA tournament championship in 2022. Other accolades of Maruska's, on and off the court, during her Rice tenure include:
- 2022 Conference USA All-Tournament Team
- Spring 2021 Conference USA All-Tournament Team
- 2023 AAC Honor Roll
- Two-time Student Athlete Academic honoree (2021, 2023)
- Four-time Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member (2020-24)
- Honor Student-Athlete Academic Award (2024)
- Four-time Rice University Dean's List selection
Why Wake?:
"Wake as a university offers an opportunity for students to be successful and provides support for each student in his or her academic endeavors," said Maruska. "Wake's volleyball program is building a very unique culture that embraces their athletes as people first and athletes second. The combination of the academic and athletic support, along with a desire to push student-athletes to be the best they can be in all aspects of life, is why I chose Wake.
"I want to make strong connections with my teammates and coaches and win. More specifically, I would like to help this team go to the NCAA tournament at the end of the season."
Maruska is the daughter of John and Nikki-Brock Maruska, having two siblings: NiMya (19) and John Nikolas (9). She plans to pursue medical school in the future.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
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