St. Ignatius Mourns Former Volleyball Star Hazel Krauss After Fatal Crash

Hazel Krauss, a 19-year-old University of Florida freshman and former Saint Ignatius College Prep volleyball captain, was killed over the weekend in a crash near campus when a driver swerved to avoid one vehicle and struck another along with Krauss, abc7chicago.com reported.

Fantasy & Market Impact

• Program Leadership: The Saint Ignatius Wolfpack are navigating their current state playoff run while carrying the emotional weight of losing a former floor leader who wore No. 41.
• Local club programs, including Chicago Elite Volleyball where Krauss served as captain, are remembering her as her legacy continues through the athletes she inspired.

Remembering a Leader on and Off the Court

As the Saint Ignatius Wolfpack continued their Girls Volleyball State Playoff regional tournament, players and coaches processed the profound loss of a teammate known for her relentless work ethic. Kayla Malec, a coach with Chicago Elite Volleyball who mentored Krauss starting at age 12, noted her absolute dedication to the sport. “Hazel was all about the business, all about volleyball, all about getting better. And just everything a coach would want in a player,” Malec stated.

The St. Ignatius College Prep community is remembering former student-athlete Hazel Krauss as her former volleyball team continues its state playoff run following her death. https://t.co/IjrqkLixnX

— https://x.com/ABC7Chicago/status/2115374181290328170

St. Ignatius College Prep issued a formal statement highlighting her enduring impact on the school community. The institution noted that Krauss reflected the very best of their graduates through her willingness to grow, intellectual curiosity, faith, love for others, and sincere commitment to justice.

The Gainesville Incident and Emergency Response

According to police in Gainesville, Florida, the fatal weekend crash occurred when a motorist swerved to avoid an initial collision, subsequently striking another vehicle and hitting Krauss as she crossed the street.

“She wasn’t alone and there were people there that cared for her. And that we really tried to help her and care for her wellbeing,” Hardy said.

Gainesville police confirmed that a drunk driver was arrested at the scene of the incident, though authorities clarified that specific vehicle was not directly involved in the fatal collision. As of the current reporting cycle, no formal arrests have been made in connection with the specific collision that struck Krauss.

Athlete Profile	Affiliation / Team	Role
Hazel Krauss	University of Florida / St. Ignatius / Chicago Elite	Captain / Freshman Student
Kayla Malec	Chicago Elite Volleyball	Coach
Porchia Hardy	Community Bystander / Nurse	First Responder Aid

Carrying Forward a Competitive Legacy

Reflecting on nine years of coaching, Malec admitted the difficulty of the tragedy while emphasizing a commitment to keeping good moments and memories of Krauss alive.