RAY HORNER PHOTO

Elms junior Aubrey Kozer (left) and volleyball coach Joanna Patterson led the Panthers to a sectional championship on Saturday against Open Door Christian. Kozer had 10 kills and five aces in the win.

AKRON, Ohio -- Our Lady of the Elms junior outside hitter Aubrey Kozer is the SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week for Oct. 2-8.

Kozer is a three-year starter for the Panthers' volleyball team, which is 17-2 through play last week. Kozer had 15 kills and 15 digs in a recent Elms victory.

On the season, she is averaging 7.5 kills and 5.2 digs per match and has totals of 143 kills and 98 digs.

“She is a coach's dream. She is the kind of player every coach would love to have on the court,” said Panther coach Joanna Patterson. “She has the talent to go as far as she wants in the sport."

Patterson has been the Elms coach for the last 12 years and hasn’t seen many players like Kozer come through the doors on Exchange Street.

“I love the mental and physical aspects of the sport -- I’m hooked,” Kozer said. “It's not just a physical game, the strategy and mental toughness is just as important on the volleyball court."

Kozer came to Our Lady of the Elms from Norton and loved track and field, basketball and volleyball, but once she made her way to the “Panther Court” she decided this was the sport for her.

“I love being part of this program that is turning heads with the way we are playing," Kozer said. "The Elms now means business.”

Kozer is a 94% percent server and averages 1.5 aces per match. “Her dedication to the sport is amazing,” Patterson said.

In the offseason, she paid for her own personal trainer to help her get stronger. “I just took birthday money and other stuff and put if towards my volleyball career," she said. "Like I said, I’m hooked."

Kozer is in the Ambassadors Club and International Club at The Elms as well as being a volunteer to help the terminally ill at Camp CHOPS.

“It is something my mother is involved in so I saw the good the group does and I wanted to be part of their mission,” she said.

Kozer also is an accomplished piano player with five years experience.

“Her skills as a person are as good as her skills on the court,” Patterson said.

Aubrey Kozer

Junior

Our Lady of the Elms

Volleyball

GPA:  4.18

TV:  Glee

Movie:  Phantom of the Opera

Pizza:  Fresh tomatoes

Home Cooking:  Duck

iPod:  Chris Brown

Class:  Chemistry

Bucket List:  Climb Rocky Mountains.