Spiker Cernianska becoming more adjusted to playing her sport in the United States
Imagine moving to a new country. Then add having to learn a new language. Then applying that new language to a full load of college classes.
On top of that, try competing at the Division I level in volleyball.
That is exactly what Utah State opposite side hitter Zuzana Cernianska has done.
A native of the Czech Republic, Cernianska came to Logan last year with her sister, Tereza, to play volleyball. She didn’t just compete on the court though, she dominated.
Zuzana was named the Co-Freshman of the Year for the Big West Conference. She finished the season ranked 10th all-time at USU in assists, with 412, and recorded the ninth-most kills, with 385, and the 10th-most services aces, with 36 in a single season.
She has become a staple on the floor for the Aggies, and her efforts were greatly missed in the last two matches as she watched from the sidelines with a hurt elbow.
“That is a big deal to have one of the players who gets the most kills per game out,” said Utah State middle blocker Erin Cartwright. “I think other people did a great job coming in for her, but she is just really powerful.”
Although USU Head Coach Burt Fuller said he wasn’t positive that Zuzana would be available for Thursday’s contest against UC Santa Barbara and Saturday’s against Cal Poly, he said she is making progress.
She is having localized pain and has been participating in rehabilitation exercises this week.
“Everyday it mends a little bit more,” Fuller said. “She really wants to be back, but we want to make sure she is ready to be back.”
Zuzana said she isn’t sure if her being out directly correlated with USU’s three game losses to Long Beach State University and UC Irvine, but she hates sitting out.
And as frustrating as sitting on the bench can be, Zuzana is positive.
Fuller said the biggest difference he noticed in the sophomore from last season to this season is that she is more mature.
She has to be.
Tereza left Utah State to return to the Czech Republic to attend a university there, leaving Zuzana without anyone to necessarily lean on or communicate with in her native tongue.
Last season, Zuzana’s English was definitely an issue on the court in a sport that require so much communication on the floor.
Although she did have to adjust a little at the start of this season again because she went home over the summer, Zuzana’s English had definitely improved.
“Last year I just took easy classes for international students,” she said. This year I’m taking regular classes. It is hard, but it’s improving my English.”
Her teammates can tell the difference.
Cartwright said that Zuzana’s English has definitely improved, which has in turn made her joke more with her teammates and just easier to be around.
Having her older sister gone has provided a different lifestyle that Zuzana is enjoying.
“It’s not too bad,” she said. “I have lots of friends and they help me.”
Cartwright said, “I think she was in her shell [last year]. I think her sister being away makes her stick up for herself more.”
She has also had to learn a new position this season. Last year Zuzana saw plenty of playing time as an outside hitter/setter, but has moved to opposite side hitter.
“I think it was pretty tough for her to adapt into a new position,” Fuller said, “She is doing that very well and keeping a pretty open mind about it … She has been attacking the ball very well. Not only is she picking up a lot of kills, but she is getting a high percentage.”
She was named the MVP at the Ogden Marriott-Weber State Classic and to the all-tournament team at the Sprint Hawaii Invitational.
After losing two straight matches, the Aggies can only hope that Zuzana will be ready to go this week and get them back on the winning track.
Fuller said if Zuzana is to play this weekend that he doesn’t expect her go be carrying the same weight she was before her injury, but she would need to pick up some kills for USU.
-juag@cc.usu.edu