Junior middle blocker Zora Hardison has been named the Rutgers recipient of the annual Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The award is given each year to student-athletes who show strong sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and good citizenship both on and off the court.
Hardison, from Palm Bay, Florida, set two records during the 2025 volleyball season at Rutgers. She became both the rally-era career and rally-era season solo blocks leader. She led her team with 104 total blocks and recorded a .317 hitting percentage, which was second-best on the team, averaging 2.07 kills per set.
Outside of athletics, Hardison is a psychology major who took part in the Big Ten’s Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery. She also worked with her teammates to help create the first Black Excellence Game at Rutgers, an event designed to honor and celebrate black history within the university community.
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