Boston College Athletics
Polish Freshman Ready To Get On The Court
August 22, 2003 | Volleyball
Two years ago Dorota Niemczewska (door-O-ta Neem-CHEV-ska) didn't speak English very well. She had just moved to Chicago from Poland, a quiet girl only by the language barrier.
Today she's part of the volleyball team, smiling and laughing and sweating it out through two-a-day practices. She's not shy anymore and she's thrilled over the opportunity to play volleyball here. Far away from home, she's making new friends and adjusting to college life. Right now her main focus is helping build up the team with six other freshmen by her side.
"They [Two-a-day practices] are hard but that's what we have to do, work hard to achieve some goals. But they're o.k.," Dorota says. "I like working hard."
The Poland native has been playing the last two years on the Sports Performance Volleyball Club team. Recruited by several Division I schools across the country, Dorota chose BC for its academic reputation, atmosphere, and to play with a competitive team. Campus is quiet a week before students officially arrive, but she's eagerly anticipating what it will be like once school is in full swing.
"It will be a lot more crowded and intense," Dorota says. "Right now it's quiet."
Dorota will be an asset to the young squad. She's able to contribute as an outside hitter and on the right side. An All-American last year, its apparent that she's fine tuned her game since the age of 12. It's been work adjusting to American style volleyball, but more fun for the 5'11" athlete.
"It's [American] just a different style. It's quicker. It's more disciplined. People are louder on the court," Dorota says. "European volleyball is just slower."
It won't be slow this year. Dorota and the rest of the BC squad are gearing up for a season of tough competitors and a conference filled with supreme athletic talent. She's confident that the Eagles will make a big impression.
"I think we can win the conference but we have to fight," Dorota says. "I think we?re not going to finish at the end of the list, but on the top."
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The captains of the 2003 team was announced yesterday. Sophomores Emily Stegner and Verena Rost will guide the young team into play, beginning next Friday against Canisius in the Western New York Tournament (Buffalo, N.Y.).
