Zehra Ozkaya a Steady Presence for Foxes

 

Zehra Ozkaya is an Academic All-American and an officer in the Fox Chapel Area High School National Honor Society, math club, and speech and debate team, but her talents extend far beyond the classroom. In addition, Zehra plays and teaches the violin; serves as a peer tutor; writes for “Tapestry,” the school’s student magazine; and plays on the Foxes girls volleyball team.

Right now, the senior is also enjoying her role as a starter for the Foxes girls lacrosse team. A gifted lacrosse midfielder, she is a steady presence on both ends of the field. Coach Kellee Cribby describes her as an extremely consistent and reliable player who brings 100% effort to every game.

“Zehra scored 20 goals and caused 20 turnovers last season, which is illustrative of her ability to compete as both a defender and an attacker. She’s also a threat in transitions and a key piece of our defensive unit, with a strong understanding of team systems on both sides of the ball. Much of the team’s success has been due to her ability to pace the game and make smart, disciplined plays. She also contributes to the less glamorous aspects of the game with her off-ball movement and high lacrosse IQ.” 

Zehra’s self-assessment is more personal. 

“On the field, I try to do what’s best for the team goals, even if I don’t achieve my individual ones. I think it is very important to know our strengths and weaknesses, and let other people carry out their strengths, even if it means that I have to work to help them achieve that. Off the field, I try to be as understanding and compassionate as I can be. It’s one of my biggest goals, and I feel as though it has made a huge impact on my life,” says Zehra, whose entry to the game started as more of a social opportunity to be with her friends.

“I started playing lacrosse in seventh grade because all of my friends had been playing for years and kept telling me how much fun it was,” she says.

Diligence Pays Off

Her many experiences have shaped her work ethic and leadership style. 

“I have learned that no matter how hard you work, you are going to need to train the basics consistently, whether it is skills you learned in middle school, or something new you learned the week before,” she says. 

Her diligence has paid off. As a sophomore, she earned WPIAL second-team honors and was an honorable mention last year. Among other lessons, she says lacrosse has taught her the importance of good communication and teamwork. 

But balancing her myriad activities also disrupts her work-life balance, but Zehra has found a solution that works for her. 

“The best way I have learned to balance my social and athletic life is to make the most out of every free hour I have,” she says. “I like to get as much work done as I can before any game or practice so that I can be focused during lacrosse, free of stress, and relax afterward and enjoy myself.”

That approach leaves her with some extra time to occasionally do the little things that make her happy – hanging out with friends, going on walks with her dog, spending time with her parents, and traveling with her older sister.

Still, the time she spends with her teammates is something she cherishes.

“These girls are some of my best friends, and that’s what makes it so much more important to have clear and respectful communication on the field,” she explains. “It makes us a much more successful and supportive team. Once I graduate, these skills will never leave me.” 

Bright Future

Zehra hasn’t made a college choice yet but plans to pursue a double major in materials science and biomedical engineering, with hopes of working in health care. 

Whatever the future holds for Zehra, right now, her focus is firmly planted on helping her lacrosse team make the playoffs again and go even deeper in the postseason than it did last season. There is plenty of enthusiasm among the players to reach that goal, many of whom also played key roles in helping the Foxes field hockey team win the WPIAL Class 2A championship in the fall. 

After all, success often breeds success. At least that’s the plan.