LARAMIE – Kayla Mazzocca was already worried about managing the life of collegiate volleyball player and student after moving over 1,000 miles from home.
 
Then the 6-foot middle blocker from Hartville, Ohio, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes less than two weeks before packing her bags for Wyoming.
 
Mazzocca appeared in 17 matches during her true freshman season with the Cowgirls, finishing with 41 kills and 34 digs in 2021.
 
However, managing her condition while competing at the Division I level packed a devastating one-two punch.
 
"I only had 10 days at home and then I was kind of pushed into the deep end of college," Mazzocca said. "In the preseason I would go through so many juice boxes on the court. I just didn't know how to fuel my body for the amount of exertion I was doing with two-a-days, lifts, film and just not eating at normal times."
 
Mazzocca had 69 kills and 67 blocks before a foot injury cut her sophomore season short. She faced a different kind of adversity last season when she appeared in only three matches with other talented players at middle blocker, including reigning Mountain West blocks leader Sarah Holcomb, emerging.
 
"I found myself in a slightly different role than I wanted to have or that I expected, but we had a lot of depth in my position," Mazzocca said. "The year before I had battled a foot injury and came back and reinjured myself during the spring. So, I was still trying to find myself again. Sarah Holcomb stepped into that position and did an awesome job. I'm her biggest fan. Whether I'm on the court or she's on the court, we are all equals.
 
"I don't think anyone views themselves as above one another. We just push each other. I think our middle position group is close knit, we do everything together, we work together, we help each out when somebody is struggling."
 
Originally, Mazzocca said she struggled to balance her feelings about being in the UW spotlight and a Type 1 diabetic. It's a difficult duality for elite athletes to deal with.
 
Chad Muma, who also has Type 1 diabetes, developed into an All-American linebacker for the Pokes, which led to his current the NFL career playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
 
Mazzocca now realizes she is also a hero to young UW fans.
 
"I'm in a unique position where I'm on a big stage and I'm doing something that maybe little kids want to do," Mazzocca said. "Sometimes I don't like showing my pump or my Dexcom because I don't like the questions. When I'm on the court the only thing I wanted people to realize is I'm a volleyball player and I like to have the identity of a volleyball player.
 
"But then I have parents or kids coming up to me afterwards like, 'Can we get a picture with you? She's a Type 1 diabetic and she really looks up to you.' It puts me in the perspective of, OK, I can still wear the jersey and wear my robot parts and be both and kind of embrace both aspects of it. I think it's pretty cool."
 
UW head coach Kaylee Prigge presented Mazzocca with a scheduling surprise in the spring. The Cowgirls will play three times in her home state, including matches against Akron (Sept. 6) and Cleveland State (Sept. 7), during her senior campaign this fall.
 
"She does everything right and she has been through a lot but continues to choose this and wants this to be her life and her path," Prigge said on the One Wyoming Podcast. "She's a pleasure to coach because she wants to be good. She's a worker, she wants to do everything right and she's awesome for our team and a great example for our kids of what it looks like. …
 
"For us to take Kayla home is awesome. We're so excited about it and I think it will be a great experience for her."
 
Mazzocca said having 12 returners from last year's 22-win team, coupled with the addition of five freshmen and two transfers, has made the competition in practice the most intense of her UW career.
 
And she has plenty of fuel in the tank during preseason workouts these days.
 
"I feel great, honestly. I'm making sure to stay on top of things because I understand I'm old and things don't quite work the way they used to," Mazzocca said. "This year it's funny to me because it's almost something I forget about (my diabetes) because it's not affecting me the way it used to because I've gotten so much better at it. I understand the importance of fueling my body and being on a schedule."
 
No matter what role Mazzocca carves out for herself this season, she will be an influential team leader.
 
"Kayla is my roommate, and I call her my best friend here. I have chills saying that she is really inspiring," said all-MW setter Kasia Partyka, who led the conference in assists last season. "Obviously, having diabetes she has a lot more to think about during practices and every single day. She is dealing with it so well and having an impact on younger people who also have diabetes. She is really great about increasing awareness about diabetes on her social media and at the diabetes awareness game last year.
 
"I love having her as my best friend."
 
Mazzocca and the Cowgirls will play Big Sky favorite Weber State in an exhibition match at 1 p.m. Saturday at Green River High School.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.