Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada to Thomas and Beverly Bywaters, Zakiya attended Rancho High School and played club soccer for the Southern California Blues and Slammers FC. In 2007 and 2008, she was named a NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American. During her senior year in 2009, she was listed as a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer as well as an ESPN RISE Top 50 Recruit. She was also named Parade All-American in 2009. As a youth, Bywaters won four state championships with club team Neusport and helped the team to a regional final at the U-14 level.
Bywaters attended UCLA where she played for the Bruins for four years. In 2009, she was the only freshman to play in all 25 matches. She made 23 starts and ended the season with 11 points on three goals and seven assists. She was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team. During her second year, she was the only field player to start all 23 matches and ended the season with 10 points on three goals and four assists. She was named an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection. During her junior year in 2011, she was one of five players to start all 21 matches and finished with 12 points on three goals and six assists. She was named a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection and to the All-Pacific Region First-Team. During her senior year, Bywaters led the Pac-12 Conference in goals, points and game-winning goals. She was added to UCLA's Top 10 list for career assists, career multiple-goal games and single-season game-winning goals. She tallied five multiple-goal games, scoring twice against Princeton, Pepperdine, Arizona, Oregon State and San Diego State and recorded game-winners against Illinois, Pepperdine, Arizona, Arizona State, California and San Diego State. She was named first-team NSCAA All-American, All-Pacific Region and was a MAC Hermann Trophy semi-finalist. Bywaters was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week twice and was the Soccer America National Player of the Week for September 10–16 after recording four goals and one assist in games against Princeton and Pepperdine. She was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season first team, was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection, and earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors.
Club career
Chicago Red Stars, 2013–2015
Bywaters was the number one pick in the 2013 NWSL College Draft by the Chicago Red Stars. Of her selection, Red Stars head coach Rory Dames said, "Zakiya possesses a great combination of technique and pace. She has the ability to play multiple positions and we believe she will push hard for future national team call-ups."" During the 2013 season, Bywaters scored two goals in her six appearances for the club after being sidelined for part of the season due to injuries. Chicago finished sixth in the regular season with a record. During the 2014 season, Bywaters made 19 appearances for the club. She scored her first goal of the season in the 85th minute against the Boston Breakers on May 19 helping the Red Stars win 4–1. In June, she scored her second goal of the season against Sky Blue FC. Chicago finished in fifth place during the regular season with a record. After missing the 2015 season recovering from hip surgery, Bywaters was waived by the Red Stars prior to the 2016 season.
