My Words: I'll Never Forget This Place

I’ll never forget how my teammates on the Wisconsin volleyball team treated me at the beginning of our time together. They made me feel so comfortable. They were so eager to listen to me and to help me understand things. I remember asking, “So, Wisconsin; where’s the city?” I had no awareness, no idea of how it all worked here, yet they were all so patient and supportive. Nothing felt rushed even though my decision regarding school had to be made kind of quickly. 

I’ll always remember my first practice at the Field House four autumns ago. It was so active and different from what I was used to back home in Poland. There was music from the 1980s playing in the background. The drills were fast-paced and unique. There was a lot to process in terms of communication. There was so much energy. Everyone was really into it.

I won’t soon forget my first trip with the Badgers where we chartered a flight to Maryland. I was like, “What is happening?’’ That was unreal. Had you asked me a couple years ago if I would have experienced something like that I would probably be sitting there and laughing.

So many memories.

As my time at UW gets closer and closer to the end, I find myself being asked to look back as much as I look to the future. What have I learned over the last four years? How have I changed? What has it all meant to me? 

I feel like I’ve grown as an athlete, but even more as a person. There’s just this sense of confidence that comes from knowing that no matter what comes my way that I’ll be able to handle it. There aren’t many things in this world that you’re afraid you won’t be able to face. You have the belief that because of everything you’ve had thrown at you, somehow, you’re going to find a way to make the most of that moment. Everything gives you a sense of power that you’re not going to be in a bad situation for very long.

Of course, there are times where you’re going to doubt yourself, that you’re going to stress about your performance in a match or any other area of life, but I just have this feeling that I’ll find a way.

I was a freshman when we won our first NCAA title in 2021. I wasn’t able to process what it meant at the time, but I started to appreciate it more and more as my career has gone on. I started to understand how important it was to the program and all the people involved.

One of my favorite memories from that experience was when we were invited to attend a Packers game in Green Bay. I couldn’t help but think about how alike the in-state fan bases are, how the environment at Lambeau Field is so similar to that of the Field House.  

I love how volleyball is celebrated here. It’s so unique, but also humbling when people ask for autographs and pictures or stop you just to say thank you.

I’m beyond thrilled that my parents, Piotr and Anna, got a chance to experience Madison last month. It was their first trip outside of Poland to see me play for Wisconsin. They were here long enough to see three matches, including one on Senior Day, and it was a joy to be in their presence.

I’ve always been close to them – I’ve tried to call them almost every day since I’ve been away from home – and it was good to have them here to share thoughts about my future.

I definitely want to go back to Europe and play volleyball professionally. It’s a work in progress, as they say. I know I’d like to get my master’s degree in accounting. From there, I’d like to start my own business, like a coffee shop or my own restaurant.

My parents and I usually spent mornings together before I would go to class and they would head out, walking to the Capitol, up and down State Street, checking out Monroe Street and taking in the beauty of Lake Wingra.                                       

My mom told me not long ago that I seem more confident in everything that I do. That meant a lot to me.

I’ll never forget the most important lesson of all. There are strengths within us that we don’t even realize we have until we have to use them to face challenging moments in our lives. You never know what life is going to throw at you.

All I know for certain is that I’ll never forget this place.

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