By Jean Racine
Kaz Brown’s hard work is paying dividends. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker leads the Pro Volleyball Federation in total blocks with 42.
“She really puts in a lot of time to improve her craft,” said Orlando Valkyries head coach Amy Pauly. “So, it’s been great to see her be rewarded as a statistical leader.”
Brown acknowledges that blocking is the most essential part of her game as a middle blocker.
“It’s something that I stive to be the best at always,” she said. “I’m not really thinking about numbers or anything like that; I’m just kind of letting the game come to me. I also have great support with my other pin blockers too, so they put me in really good opportunities to be able to score points with my block.”
In 13 matches this season, Brown is averaging 3.2 blocks and 12.8 total points. Her season high in blocks is six, which she recorded against the Vegas Thrill on Feb. 22.
“She does a really good job creating lanes for our defenders,” Pauly said. “We dig a lot of balls that come our way because of the lanes and the alleys that she’s helping create up there. I think she’s done a really great job of just being a force at the net.”
Brown is also a force offensively, averaging 9.2 kills. Her signature play has been the slide attack.
“It’s the set that I’m most comfortable with; I like hitting off one foot,” Brown said. “I think that our setters do a great job of putting me in positions where I can score there.”
Said Pauly: “I think offensively she gets better every day. I know that we have two extremely different setters that we’re working with. She does a great job of making sure whether it’s getting extra reps with them or asserting herself into drills when needed.”
The success of the slide attack stems from practice.
“My other teammates make it really hard for me to score in practice, and I think that that’s part of the reason I’m able to be successful in games is because we have a really good practice environment in the gym,” Brown explained. “I’m definitely being pushed to get better at that every day.”
Setter Carly Graham enjoys lobbing the ball up to Brown for one of her ferocious kills.
“Kaz is super strong off of one leg,” Graham said. “She’s strong off of two legs too, but that offense play has been super successful. It’s difficult to stop. Even us playing against her every single day in practice it’s difficult to stop.”
Brown said the slide attack has been a part of her game since high school and at the club level.
“I’ve been working on (it) for a really long time,” she said. “I think that the system here allows me to be successful in that specific attack.”
Pauly was aware of Brown’s slide hitting ability since her days at the University of Kentucky.
“I watched her play a bunch in the NCAA,” Pauly explained. “So, I was happy that when she got here it was something that we could have established and connected with our setters as well. But she’s so high over the net and she’s got a great, fast arm, and so it’s hard to defend that. She can hit pretty much any angle that she wants.”
Brown’s impact goes beyond offensive and defensive stats. She is a leader on and off the court for the Valkyries.
“I think that sometimes middles get overlooked as on-court leaders because they’re not on the floor for six rotations, but I think Kaz is really somebody who this team listens to and rallies around,” Pauly explained. “I think she’s incredibly insightful with her volleyball knowledge. All of her training and playing at Kentucky has helped her develop into an extremely high-level player and leader.”
As a veteran with five years of professional experience, Brown set out to be a leader for the team from day one.
“Every time I get a chance to step on the court, I’m just thinking of being the best version of myself for my teammates,” Brown said. “Just trying to be a good teammate and try to play the game at a high level all the time.”
The Valkyries (5-8) have reached the midway point of the season and Brown will be a vital piece in pushing the team up the standings and into the playoffs.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Brown said. “We’re figuring out new ways to get better and improve our game.”