Burnet grad Zaria Solis excels on Texas Lutheran courts, classes

CAPTION: Zaria Solis shows she is more than capable of being a two-sport athlete at Texas Lutheran University where she played volleyball and basketball. Photo by Bryce Hayes of Texas Lutheran University

Zaria Solis emerged from behind a station in the weight room of the Burnet Student Activity Center recently after joining her former teammates for a lifting session that was part of the Lady Dawgs’ summer strength-and-conditioning program.

While the Lady Dawgs were headed to the facility’s artificial turf for an agility and conditioning workout, Solis, a 2024 Burnet High School graduate, was going to the new track at Bulldog Field to complete her own summer strength and conditioning program as a Texas Lutheran University athlete.

Though few people are around to make sure Solis gives the workout her all, the truth is no one has to be. The former Lady Dawg still competes at a high standard, which was a staple when she donned the Kelly green and white. It’s part of the reason why she accepted an offer to play volleyball for the Bulldogs.

“I enjoy it a lot,” she said. “I was recruited as a middle blocker and recruited for basketball for all positions. (Volleyball) coaches like tall people in the back row cause we can cover a lot of ground. I’m not a middle blocker anymore. I’m an outside hitter. I thought my blocking was pretty good in high school. I think my blocking is a lot better now.”

But what some may not have known when she signed her National Letter of Intent was that she also was going to play basketball for TLU. Outside of her family, perhaps one of the only few people who knew was Burnet CISD girls athletic coordinator Crystal Shipley, who also is the volleyball and girls track and field head coach.

Shipley was the one who told Solis she believed the athlete could manage her time between classes and playing two sports and all that they both entail. After all, athletes must attend lifting and conditioning sessions as well as practices, enjoy team dinners and then play in contests on top of attending classes, studying and turning in projects that are part of the curriculum.

“She talked me through it and helped me decide,” Solis said. “Initially in my senior year I thought I was done with basketball. It was getting hard to play basketball. Coach comforted me. She said she thought it would be good for me. Coach was very helpful for volleyball. She said I should do it for a year to try it out. I didn’t want to let it go.”

It also helped that Solis has a friend and teammate on the basketball team who also is a TLU soccer player.

“Having that person with me helps me,” the Burnet graduate said. “I had a lot for basketball basically.”

The two teamed up on the basketball court to help the Bulldogs win the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament after posting a 14-2 conference regular season record, 24-5 overall.

The Bulldogs defeated East Texas Baptist 62-59 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament before losing to McMurry University 66-63 in the second round.

While the two sports took a lot of time, Solis was a dedicated scholar, too.

She was out of her living quarters by 8 a.m. for her first class. Then it was breakfast, team meetings and back in her room to study or do chores that included laundry or Bible study. She knocked out at least two more classes before eating lunch then went to the gym for a two-hour practice or shoot around. She also did individual position work.

“I tried to have all my classes in the morning,” said Solis, who took 12 hours in her first semester and 15 in the second semester. She plans on taking 15 hours in the fall.

Solis, who is a business and marketing major, moves back to Seguin in mid August for the start of volleyball two-a-days.

“I thought college was going to be easier,” she said. “It’s definitely challenging sometimes. I’m thankful. I have a lot of good friends, I have a good village and support system. I feel like that’s one thing that came true.”

CAPTION: Zaria Solis stands in the middle, ready to move, block and score for Texas Lutheran University. Photo by Bryce Hayes of Texas Lutheran University