Weronika Wojdyla came to WSU in the same recruiting class as Pia Timmer and Magda Jehlárová and returned alongside them for her fifth season in 2023 to see through what they had started a half-decade ago. Not a nationally recognized name like the other two, her contributions to the program, especially last season, could not be understated by her coaches.
“She was the ultimate teammate. We were so proud of and thankful for her last season,” associate head coach Burdette Greeny said.
After a surplus of injuries to the team early in the season, Wojdyla, an outside hitter by trade, became thrust into the second middle blocker on the depth chart behind an All-American and her closest friend Jehlárová.
At first, she said she was unsure of how she would do, but by the time the middle of the season rolled around, she was quickly becoming more and more confident every day. Jehlárová coached her on the intricacies of the position and seeing an All-American in practice every day quickly led to her improvement at the net.
“I was kind of nervous and because I’m the type of person who has high expectations for myself. But I feel like I did a good job with my mindset to have in my mind to be there for my teammates no matter how I am doing,” Wojdyla said.
Wojdyla said that despite having to learn the hardest position on the court on a whim, she knew that she would do anything to help her team win, even if she personally was struggling.
“I really want to help my teammates, no matter how. I thought, ‘I just need to be there for them.’ I trusted them like they’re such a good team,” Wojdyla said. “I knew that even if I did not play great to start, we would have a chance to win because of how good my teammates were.”
The WSU volleyball team celebrates after a point during an NCAA volleyball game against Oregon, Oct. 7, 2022.
She played career highs by a wide margin in the 2022 campaign, 96 sets and 27 matches in her new role. Stats-wise, she had 63 total blocks and 29 kills to help the team, stepping up especially when Jehlárová needed rest.
“She did a great job. We still talk about how important she was last year to us to get to play in another NCAA Tournament,” Greeny said.
When thinking about whether or not she wanted to return to the Cougs for one final year, she said the decision was easy. Her teammates, the community and unfinished business all came to mind, so it did not take long for her to decide to come back for one last ride.
“ I love my teammates and I love my coaches and like the atmosphere that we that we have here at WSU,” Wojdyla said.
Despite knowing that she may not play a lot in the new season with more middle blockers entering the fold, whether being transfers or returning from injury and being buried in a deep hitter rotation, Wojdyla said she wanted to be here for her teammates like she had been last season and will continue to work to be ready for when she does play.
WSU volleyball holds a scrimmage for season ticket holders, Aug. 20, 2022, at Bohler Gymnasium.
“It’s kind of hard, but I’m trying to learn a lot during practice and invest my time there. You never know when you’ll play so I am trying to give 100% in practice and be ready,” Wojdyla said.
Coming to Pullman from Poland, just like Timmer and Jehlárová, she is experiencing a completely new culture than the one she grew up in.
“Between America and Europe, it’s different in culture and it’s different in mentality and I feel like being around your peers like that they have kind of similar background and similar kind of culture, I feel like that helped all the internationals have this really cool thing,” Wojdyla said.
Both in volleyball and in everyday life, things are different for the outside hitter. Luckily for the three of them especially, they quickly became friends and now even live together, spending most of their time together and never getting bored, she said.
“They’re the closest people that I’m here with. They’re my best friends,” Wojdyla said.
Despite not playing much to start the season, her coaches have noticed her hard work and continued dedication to the program and teammates. *Something about this sentence sounds off -SS She has continued to work hard during her time at WSU and is ready to make a positive impact on the team no matter what.
“I think she’s more confident and you know, she’s playing really well this fall camp as well. So just a really, really great teammate and all the way around,” head coach Jen Greeny said.
