Gazette MVP: Versatility has made junior Vanessa Zufall invaluable to Highland

Highland junior Vanessa Zufall was seemingly born with a soccer ball at her feet. Inheriting a deep passion for the sport from her father, Hornets coach Bill Zufall, the midfielder quickly developed an understanding and ability to conceptualize the game that goes far beyond her years. With a vastly talented and deep group of teammates around her, Zufall was able to use her versatile skillset to lead Highland on a magical season that came up just one win shy of the ultimate goal of a state championship this season. Still, the Hornets won the first regional title in program'history, shattered the record of 18 wins set in 2023 with 21 victories this season and won the Suburban League American Conference crown for a second consecutive year. After leading Highland with 19 goals (tied with senior Grace Madison), 20 assists and 58 points, Vanessa Zufall earned Gazette MVP honors, though the junior captain is never one to boast about individual accomplishments and is far more focused on the team's success. That attitude, which ran through the Hornets program from top to bottom, was key to the team's success. "All of the accomplishments that the team had and all the school records that we were able to break were really cool," Vanessa Zufall said. "It was really awesome to do all of those things with this amazing team." The All-Ohio selection and Division III Greater Akron Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association District Player of the Year led Medina County in assists and points and was second to Medina's Caroline Schork in goals. Depending on the opponent, game or situation, Highland deployed Vanessa Zufall all over the field, making her a uniquely qualified weapon that enhanced her value to the team. When the Hornets needed a goal they could use Vanessa Zufall to score, or more often set up a scoring chance, but when Highland had a lead she was equally effective in helping a staunch defensive effort. "A lot of teams might have a player that can play two or three positions, but she can play five or six positions," Bill Zufall said. "She has the soccer I.Q. to adapt quickly during games. For a coaching staff, it gives us a lot more options in terms of styles of formations we can play throughout the season." The younger Zufall credited her father for helping her get her start in the game. Bill Zufall graduated from Copley before playing soccer collegiately at Akron and Wake Forest. He also played in Germany as well as professionally in the states for the Columbus Invaders and Cleveland Caps in the 1990s. Having someone with that much experience and knowledge helped Vanessa Zufall understand strategy and develop anticipation. That foresight is what she calls her greatest asset in soccer. "My dad has been all about soccer his whole life," Vanessa Zufall said. "I grew up with soccer. Being around that made me visualize it so much better. "My dad has taught me so much about soccer. Starting out so young has definitely made me the player that I am." Her father and coach continues to be impressed by the type of player his daughter has become. "I've been fortunate enough to be able to see her play for the last 15 years," Bill Zufall said. "To be able to see a player like her develop when you see the soccer I.Q. is there, and once the body matures into the player you envision, it is amazing to see her cultivate that." While Highland didn't play many games that came down to the wire, Vanessa Zufall had an innate ability to make the right play when her team needed her most. She tallied a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Medina and scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Massillon Jackson in a pair of high quality non-league games. She also scored a goal in a 2-0 triumph over Roosevelt and had an assist in a 2-0 win over Aurora in SL American play. Her knack for being able to make an impact on either end of a critical pass was what made her the most valuable. She is particularly dangerous lining up for a corner kick. "She is truly one of the players we needed to get the ball to as much as we could," Bill Zufall said. "It's because when she gets the ball, you will see it again. She's always been the type of player that would prefer to have more assists than goals. "She has the vision to put the ball through certain channels or lines that most players in high school can't even envision, let alone execute it." The first win over Medina in school history signified what these Hornets, who went unbeaten in 22 games between the first and last contest, were capable of doing. "The Medina game was a huge turning point for our team," Vanessa Zufall said. "Highland had never beat Medina in girls soccer. That was kind of a game that brought all of us together. It showed us anything was really possible for the team." With as many talented players as Highland had, especially with the capability of putting the ball in the net, there never seemed to be any animosity or desire to take the spotlight. That was a testament to the character of the team that its leaders, like captains Vanessa Zufall and Delaney Miller, were able to create. "We all just really supported each other and loved one another," Vanessa Zufall said. "No one could be selfish. We all just had the same goals, so we all could work together to accomplish those." As a junior, Vanessa Zufall is looking to add a similar story to Highland's history next season, but with a better final chapter than a last-second 1-0 loss to Bay in the state final this year. "I'm definitely hoping to reach the state finals again," Vanessa Zufall said. "I think our team can do that because our team has a lot of juniors that will be seniors next year. I'm really hoping to win the league again and hopefully break some more school records." The desire to chase that next step could create something special for the Hornets. "She's hungry, like the rest of the team, to get back to that state final," Bill Zufall said. "It's going to be exciting to see her progression this winter and spring, along with the rest of the team." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.