A little more than a year ago, Megan Zullo was right on track. The then-true freshman had already seen significant playing time and even started three games for a veteran N.C. State team that included six seniors.
Then she suffered a stress fracture in her right shin after just seven games, and her season was over.
“It was really depressing,” Zullo said. “In high school, I played all year round and every single minute. I came here. I started. I was on the right track, and then all of a sudden to not play at all, it was really depressing. I didn’t even know what to do.”
Luckily for her, the NCAA granted Zullo a medical redshirt for the 2006-2007 season, and she was able to retain her year of eligibility. Zullo enters this season having regained a starting position on a Wolfpack team that has gone 6-1 in the past seven games.
This is not the same Zullo, though.
After putting on weight during the injury, she worked hard to lose 30 pounds to reach her current playing weight of 140 pounds — the lowest since she’s been in a Wolfpack uniform. Zullo said she can feel the difference her slimmer physique has had on her game.
“I am a lot quicker,” Zullo said. “I already know that I’m probably the slowest person on the team, but with me losing the weight that I did, if I’m smart enough, I can still hang with the quickest and the fastest.”
Assistant coach Jenny Palmateer said Zullo took the initiative this summer to get back into playing shape.
“She really worked hard this summer to get her body in shape and to really get herself ready to start every game and play a lot of minutes,” Palmateer said. “We would never really tell somebody that they had to lose a lot of weight, but I think Megan knew that to be at her best, she kind of needed to do that.”
Zullo has emerged as a key component in this year’s team. She started all 10 games for the Pack, averaging 6.8 points, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Zullo has been particularly effective from behind the arc, where she is shooting 35.7 percent, and her 20 3-pointers are tops on the team. Sophomore guard Nikitta Gartrell said Zullo is one of the best shooters she has been around.
“I have never seen anyone shoot better than Megan,” Gartrell said. “It’s just amazing to see her shoot the way she does.”
Zullo said she is trying to do more than just be a shooter for the team. She would like to be a complete player and contribute on both ends of the court.
“I am trying to help the team in any way I can,” Zullo said. “Whether it be pulling up and being ready to shoot at anytime, be it penetrate it and kick or getting a stop on defense, I am just trying to help the team.”
State is coming off of a heartbreaking two-point loss against Xavier. It will try to rebound this Sunday at East Carolina. Palmateer said the team will need Zullo in the coming months as State enters ACC competition and then tournament play.
“I think she’s doing a great job,” Palmateer said. “I am happy for her because she put in so much time and effort over the summer. She was really disappointed last year when she got injured, and she was on a good track then. And she was starting for us. I am happy to see things working out for her. She’s going to be a great asset for us.”
