Senior Spotlight: Maritza Scharoun

As Wells College puts a close to its fall 2020 season, the athletics department spotlights its fall student-athletes during Senior Week. Today, the athletics department is proud to feature from the women's volleyball team, Maritza Scharoun.

Maritza is a business major and psychology minor from Bronx, N.Y., who has been part of the women's volleyball team the past four seasons. She appeared in 67 matches during the past three seasons and had a career year last season defensively. Maritza finished second in the NEAC in blocks-per-set with 1.01 and second in the conference in total blocks with 119. In addition, her defensive play earned her defensive player of the week for the conference during the first week of October last season. For her career, she has 214 total blocks with 65 solo and has scored 366.5 points for Wells. Maritza has also been a key contributor to the women's basketball team.

Wells women's volleyball head coach Mark Lucas had the following to say about Maritza, "I'm a huge fan of coachable players, and Maritza is one of the best that I've had the pleasure of working with in that department. She seems to possess that perfect balance of the drive to improve and the desire to be a supportive teammate. Given Maritza's vast improvement from her first year in which she recorded three total blocks to her third year in which she recorded 119 total blocks [good enough to rank her second in the conference and 43rd in the nation], it's a shame that she wasn't able to get on the court for her senior season to set what would've been nearly untouchable career defensive records at the net. The team and I will miss her tremendously, and I hope that another coach is lucky enough to have her on the court for her final year of eligibility as a graduate student sometime in the near future."

Why did you choose Wells?

I chose Wells because I was offered a great academic scholarship.

What is your favorite memory at Wells College as a student-athlete?

My favorite memory at Wells College as an athlete is the weekend travels with my teams and just fooling around on the bus. Really getting to bond with my teammates and now life-long friends is something I'm very grateful for, as well as those tough anxious but exhilarating moments on the volleyball court where we all tuned-in to close out the game and bring a 'W' home are also some of my favorite memories. We always pushed each other to do great and to believe in not just your teammates but, believe in yourself. After winning a game, we always fooled around and reminisced about the game and we would laugh all the way home on the bus. If I had to pick only one memory, it would have to be the trip to Hawaii for a volleyball tournament we went on last fall in September. Going on that trip with my team was so much fun and I'm so glad that we all have that memory and experience from that trip together. We definitely had some hiccups in the trip; like things we couldn't control due to either the plane engine problems or sprained ankles but, we all made the best of it and we all came back home from that trip with crazy stories. I will hold that trip dear to my heart for the rest of my life.

What are your plans after Wells College?

My plans after college are to go to grad school to get my masters in marketing. I am looking forward to playing in grad school both volleyball and basketball to finish out my eligibility, while gaining my masters as well. I'm also in the process of starting my own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

What advice would you give to the next person wearing your number?

Never give up on yourself. As a freshman I remember being so nervous getting ready to play in my first collegiate basketball game and I started to doubt myself but, after a phone call from my high school coach I was reminded of my character and my drive for the game. Fast forward, my junior year, I had a record of 19 points and 11 rebounds against Cazenovia. Believe in yourself even if you think you're not good enough or even if you know you're talented, remain humble and always work hard every day to obtain your own personal goals; not the goals other people have for you. Be a teammate that is kind, caring, supportive but, also a teammate that is a leader and goes hard in everything you do off and on the court. You will face adversity but, always stay true to yourself and play your game.

If you had a favorite class during your time at Wells College, what was it and why was it your favorite?

My favorite class at Wells during my time here has to be Principles of Marketing. That class definitely introduced me to the world of marketing and gave a great introductory level of what that department entails. That class was always very interesting to me and was like second nature for me to understand. I came in freshmen year knowing that I was going to major in business but, I didn't know exactly which concentration I wanted to focus in. After taking that class, it made me do my own research on the career going into marketing and I fell in love with it. I notice it was something that I enjoyed and something I had a great understanding of. I felt like if I had a class to choose that best resonated with me and my professional career that I can see myself in, it would definitely be marketing. Now, I'm currently looking at schools to apply for my masters in marketing.

What will you miss the most about being a student-athlete at Wells College?

Definitely the road trips, actively playing in games and most of all the experience I have through all of those aspects. I will definitely remember how much fun it was to always be with your teammates on the road, as well as all of the people you meet through traveling from game to game. Most of all, I will miss the home games because Wells has always had huge support when there are home games scheduled, it was always fun knowing all my friends and even family can see me on the court.