Student-Athlete of the Week – Karime Zuñiga

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Our latest student-athlete of the week is Karime Zuñiga from West Shores High School. Zuñiga is a senior setter for the Wildcats volleyball team.

"She's one of the ones that really makes a difference, not only on the court, but in the whole campus," Wildcats head coach Peter Zamora said.

Zuñiga started playing volleyball her freshman year, and has been a setter for three of those years. She's a student-athlete who continues to make an impact on those around her.

“I don't want to be cliche and say special," Zamora said when asked one word to describe Zuñiga. "One. One word: She'd be one. She's one of one.” 

Zuñiga said she also plays soccer, but for her it just doesn't compare to her love for being on the volleyball court. It's a sport she excels in and has found life-long friends.

“This team feels like a family," Zuñiga said. "We're so close knit together, and it's just awesome to see the type of friendships we've created.”

Zuñiga said West Shores High School and the Wildcats volleyball team mean so much to her, that she is willing to drive from Indio to Salton City every day just to be a Wildcat.

“I drive here because my dad actually works here," Zuñiga said. "I actually transferred to Shadow Hills for like a week. It just doesn't feel the same as here. The community's basically what kept me here.”

“To add two hours to every day of your normal life is probably not that fun, but it's worth it in the end when the results come out," Zamora said. "To go through the struggle of late extra late nights or extra early mornings. That's dedication that I really appreciate. She's put in the effort to, you know, help us succeed."

Zuñiga said the drive can be difficult at times, but it's never held her back. On the court for the Wildcats, she led them to 26 straight league game wins. In the classroom, she boasts a 4.0 GPA as a dual enrollment student.

“Education has always been involved in my life since my both my parents are educators," Zuñiga said. "I feel like just determination, wanting to be a good student and wanting to be a good player. It's just caused me to be more hard working and pushing myself and being on top of everything, even if it's hard.”

After graduation, Zuñiga hopes to attend UCLA or UC San Diego and build a career inspired by her time playing volleyball.

“Hopefully, to be a sports medicine physician," Zuñiga said when asked what she plans to study. "It's just I've seen so many people go through everything, either if it's injuries or personal family issues. I've been through stuff as well, and I feel like just being able to help others has like helped me grow and helps me fulfill my peace and my heart.”

If you know a local senior who should be our next student-athlete of the week, please reach out to share@kesq.com to submit a nomination.