South Africa’s volleyball scene recently witnessed a momentous breakthrough as 16-year-old Zeevah Pocock announced herself as one of the country’s brightest talents.
Competing with the Quantum Dragons Ladies at the National Club Championships, Zeevah helped her team to a silver medal finish and was crowned Best Ladies Blocker, an extraordinary feat, given she had celebrated her birthday only the day before.
Zeevah’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. She first picked up a volleyball in March last year, and in just 20 months, she has emerged as one of South Africa’s premier middle blockers.
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Standing 1.83m tall with a 2.95m jump reach, Zeevah dominates at the net, timing her blocks against some of the country’s most experienced attackers. Her performance at the championships was consistently outstanding, helping the Dragons progress undefeated to the final, where they were narrowly beaten by VUT.
“It’s honestly really exciting. I didn’t expect to be achieving this much so soon. I’ve only been playing for about 18 months, so being recognised at this level still feels a bit surreal,” she said.
Volleyball runs deep in the Pocock family. Zeevah’s father, Colin, represented South Africa in beach volleyball at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, while her mother, Kirsten, captained the national women’s indoor team for several years.
“My favourite moment is when she smashes a ball and then glances up to see if I saw it, and I always do. Then, after the game, she runs up and jumps into my arms. At 16, that’s rare. We’ve got a special bond, I call her my twinsy, because she’s so much like me at her age,” said Colin.
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Remarkably, Kirsten also played alongside Zeevah in the Dragons squad at this year’s championships, a rare display of both enduring skill and family legacy. While Zeevah has drawn inspiration from her parents, her achievements are firmly her own, built on talent, dedication, and an unwavering passion for the game.
“Volleyball is one of the things I think about most. Even at school, I catch myself wanting to set or hit anything I’m holding, it’s kind of become part of who I am,” added Zeevah.
Looking ahead, Zeevah has her sights set on the US. “I’d love to play college volleyball in the US one day and eventually represent South Africa at the Olympics. That’s the dream.”
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