A common dogma around college athletics is that an experienced roster leads to success, and that few freshmen are talented enough to make an impact. Well, libero Zoey Matias-Lopez would like a word, as she is shattering expectations, becoming a key part of the Mizzou volleyball team in her freshman season.
Across 12 games this year, Matias-Lopez (who I’ve been casually calling ZML) has racked up 196 digs. In the win against Auburn, she set a new collegiate career-high with 22.
“She’s really fast defensively.
She reads the game very well and has just a really nice touch on the ball to put it to target on defense,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said. “She has ability to really find some angles and cover some space.”
ZML has spent this year as a defensive specialist, creating a dynamic duo with current libero Maya Sands. She couldn’t have a better teacher, as Sands is the two-time reigning SEC Libero of the Year.
“I love having [Maya Sands] on the court next me, because I know if I can’t get there, she’s right there and she has my back.,” Matias-Lopez said. “If I mess up or something, I know I can go to her and she’ll tell me the right answer. She’ll be honest with me. And knowing that she’s one of the bests in the SEC right now, just really brings confidence on the court. And I know if I mess up or if I need her help, she’s got me, that I don’t even need to worry.”
Growing up in Miami, Florida, ZML was raised on sports from a young age. Both her parents played college athletics at nearby Florida International. Her father played basketball and her mother played volleyball, giving her a big decision to make at a young age; which sport should she stick with?
“I did volleyball and basketball at the same time. And then once I hit high school, I had to choose between basketball and volleyball,” she said. “It was hard, because I love basketball. I grew up playing basketball. I know everything about basketball. But then I was like, I really don’t like the contact, and I can’t really see myself playing basketball in the long run. And I was pretty good at volleyball, so I just stuck with volleyball.”
Most would agree that she made the right choice, winning the AAU National Championship with Tribe Volleyball Club. All she’s done is win, adding a 2024 Florida state title with Westminster Christian School and a 2020 state title in beach volleyball. She spoke about what it was like to play against such high-level competition, especially when it came to AAU.
“We were determined from the beginning of the season, and we worked hard every single day,” ZML said. “But I love how hard the competition was, because I know it’s making me better.”
One of her biggest challenges was figuring out where to play at the next level. She briefly looked at her parents’ alma mater but then realized she had the potential to go to a much larger university. There were many things that stood out about Mizzou for ZML. One of which was the connection she built with Sullivan. She watched how Sullivan changed the program at Mizzou, taking them to the tournament in back-to-back years. In addition, she found value in playing under a female head coach in a sport where that is never really a guarantee.
“I feel like it’s easier for me to make a connection with them,” ZML said. “How Dawn would talk to me in the calls just made me feel comfortable that even from then, I could tell her something and it’s gonna be fine.”
The other thing that stood out to Matias-Lopez was the interest from her soon-to-be future teammates. They would constantly FaceTime her, telling her all about why she should come to Mizzou.
“They would randomly call me, or I would do a zoom call with Dawn and some girls, and then Dawn would leave, and all of us would just talk,” Matias-Lopez said. “They always had, this positive energy…they made me feel like I was already there.”
One of the players she has become fast friends with was sophomore Claire Morrissey. The duo knew of each other well before becoming members of the Mizzou volleyball team, playing each other in these high-level AAU tournaments. The two never spoke until ZML arrived in the summer, but that short duration hasn’t stopped their friendship from blossoming in a hurry.
“I feel like she’s just a family member that I never had. I feel like her whole family has welcomed me with open arms and like she truly feels like a sister, and I know that I’ll be a part of her family for the rest of our lives,” Morrissey said.
After meeting in the summer, the pair took a trip to ZML’s hometown of Miami then to Morrissey’s home in St. Louis. The two have made the ultimate bond, watching The Vampire Diaries together.
“If she’s not somewhere that I am…the [team is] always like, oh, ‘where’s your other half?’,” Matias-Lopez said.
ZML has firmly cemented herself as part of the heart and soul of this team, bringing an infectious positive attitude to the Tigers. She has several fun quirks that are worth mentioning, but this story is by far my favorite:
“I think one of my favorite things about her is how she just runs and jumps on people,” Sullivan said. “Sitting on someone’s hip as a little baby.”
But there’s more to ZML than her leaping abilities. As Coach Sullivan looks for players that fit her positive culture, ZML is a shining example of that philosophy.
“She’s not afraid to speak up, not afraid to give praise to people,” Sullivan said. “She’s just a ball of energy that loves people, and is gonna call out something good here, and it’s something good here, and very rarely is something negative ever coming out of her voice.”
On the court ZML has provided just the spark Mizzou has needed, as they continue to chase a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and a second straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.
“I know we try hard every single practice and practice like it’s a championship [match],” Matias-Lopez said. “For myself, I would just say get 1% better every single practice.”
While Zoey Matias-Lopez hadn’t even played a game in a Tiger uniform a little over two months ago, it feels impossible to imagine this year’s team without her.
