Sophomore Courtney Buzzerio followed up her time as an athlete in Chino Hills, California, by joining her sister, senior Meghan Buzzerio, on the Iowa volleyball team. The siblings have quickly become a key asset to the team while also growing their own connections with each other. 

The sisters are two of four girls under the parental guidance of Troy and Dana Buzzerio, who both played a role in their respective collegiate sports. Water polo at Cal State University-Los Angeles took up the time of Troy, while Dana played volleyball at the University of California Irvine, making it no surprise that the Buzzerio sisters are a force to be reckoned with on the court. 

With more than a handful of high school achievement awards, including first team All-Trinity two years in a row and CIF Division 2 Player of the Year, Courtney Buzzerio was ready to continue her volleyball career, especially as a setter for her sister. 

“It wasn’t [planned],” Buzzerio said. “It was always a thing that intrigued me when Iowa came into the picture recruiting-wise. She was a helpful factor in deciding about Iowa.” 

With Meghan Buzzerio’s impressive high school record, forward was the only way to go. Last season, she began the year with a career high of 16 kills and ended with a total of 23 kills in a game to set a new career high. She also holds a position as a team captain for the 2019 season, which marked the senior season for the starting outside hitter, and having a sibling by her side couldn’t make it any more interesting. 

“It’s a very interesting dynamic, because you always have that big sister/little sister communication style and accountability,” head coach Vicki Brown said. “It also allows our team to kind of relax a little bit more. It’s just a nice combination having Meghan’s senior leadership and also Courtney growing into her own identity as one of our top players.”

With the final year of the siblings taking part on the same team, Courtney Buzzerio has time to further her career. 

“I’ve heard of Dana as a volleyball player at UC Irvine, so I’m pretty sure that’s a genetic thing,” Brown said. “She’ll keep progressing. She does have that competitive side in her and that will continue to drive her forward.” 

Sibling rivalry seems to be no problem for these Iowa athletes, but teamwork is taken to the next level. 

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“It’s a lot of fun. We can communicate differently on the court because we are sisters and we have that extra level of communication,” Buzzerio said. “Since we’re in different positions, it makes it kind of easy. It’s fun in practice when we’re on opposite sides of the net. We get a fun, competitive edge there.” 

On or off the court, the siblings are making a move for their volleyball careers. 

The Buzzerio sisters will make their next appearance this weekend at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Lipscomb, Coastal Carolina, and Iowa State for the Cy-Hawk Series.