Sports
Ohio Volleyball: Katie Nelson and Jaime Koisorek Share a Special Bond
By: Michael Roth
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When Jaime Kosiorek committed to Ohio University, she was the first and only commit in her class and was afraid that she would be all alone as a freshmen for the Bobcats. When she heard the news that Ohio was bringing in a girl from Canada who was full of energy and excitement, Kosiorek was thrilled.
“I asked our old coach if we had any other recruits and when he told me that we had a Canadian girl who never shut up, that sounded just like me and I knew we would be friends,” Kosiorek said.
The two are so close, that they each refer to each other as sisters. Kosiorek, who grew up in a house full of brothers calls Nelson “the sister she never had” while Nelson refers to Kosiorek as her “American sister”.
They were the only two players in the class for volleyball and developed a close friendship. The two roomed together and became very tight on and off the court, despite never meeting before coming to Ohio University.
“We always joke about how we have an arranged friendship, and it is just us two in our class and we ended up fitting perfectly for five years,” Nelson said.
That fifth year together almost didn’t happen for the duo — Kosiorek was set to use up all of her eligibility last season, but an injury allowed her to redshirt and come back for a 2018 run.
“It was always in the back of our minds that I was going to leave and Katie was going to stay,” Kosiorek said. “The universe said we can’t take you guys away, it’s not Katie without Jaime and it’s not Jaime without Katie.”
Nelson also had to deal with an injury last season that caused her to miss the final 24 games last season. Getting back on the court with her teammates has meant so much to her.
“Words can’t explain it, just being back and able to do the things I used to be able to every day, and having everyone back from injury last year helps everybody compete,” Nelson said.
The two ‘sisters’ are having great success on the court for the Bobcats this season, Kosiorek is close to breaking the all-time aces record, something she’s been practicing since she was 13 years old. Nelson is so proud of everything Kosiorek has achieved throughout her career at Ohio University.
“Jaime’s first milestone was 1,000 kills and I was so excited for her because we’re best friends,” Nelson said. “When Jaime serves I’m at the net going “come on Jaime, kill it, let’s go.” so every ace is huge and we’re counting it down for her.”
Nelson has had plenty of success this season as well, she has 2.27 kills per set this season, which would blow away her previous career high of 1.97 kills per set. With Vera Giacomazzi setting her up, she has enjoyed huge success this season and Kosiorek’s always the first to cheer her on.
“When Katie hits a slide I’m usually the one covering her because I have her back for her hit,” Kosiorek said. “Whenever she turns around after a kill I’m always the first one there giving her a high five.”
With individual success comes team success, and nothing is more important for Nelson and Kosiorek than leaving Athens as Mid-American Conference champions.
“Winning the conference championship would be the cherry on top of everything, to walk out on that note would be amazing.”