Spiker earns USU honor
Editor’s note: Cernianska was named Athlete of the Week for the week ending in Sept. 16.
Utah Statesman: How tall are you?
Zuzana Cernianska: Last time I made a measurement it was between 6 feet 1/4 inch and 6 feet 1 inch.
US: Why did you choose USU?
ZC: My options were USU for Division-I and some colleges for Division-II, so I chose Division-I.
US: What are you studying?
ZC: Marketing.
US: What do you want to do with that?
ZC: I might go back home and work for my dad. He works for a pharmacy company. I might try advertising his products.
US: What’s your favorite thing about USU?
ZC: Probably the people. They’re always nice to me. Even though you play horrible, they always say “good job” or something.
US: Do you have a favorite professor here?
ZC: Actually, I do – His name is Jim Bame. He taught me freshman year, he teaches English for international students.
US: What’s your favorite thing about Logan?
ZC: I love the nature here.
US: How does feel to hold the record for kills at USU?
ZC: It’s pretty good – I didn’t know about it. I beat Amy Crosbie, she was my freshman year assistant coach.
US: What kind of music do you listen to?
ZC: I’ve changed a little bit since I came here. Before, I listened to a lot of rock and pop. Here I listen to R&B and hip hop.
US: Are you a fan of any other sports?
ZC: I love ice hockey.
US: Did you play any other sports growing up?
ZC: I played basketball in elementary school for four years, but because I hate running, I quit playing.
US: Who is someone who has been an inspiration to you?
ZC: My sister, Tereza.
US: How have things changed now that we’ve joined WAC?
ZC: I thought it would be good for us to go to the WAC because the volleyball seems to be easier than the Big West. But with teams like New Mexico State and Hawaii, it’s just as tough.
US: For those of us who don’t know, explain what a kill is in volleyball.
ZC: A kill is when you hit the ball and get a point for it.
US: What do you do in the off season to train?
ZC: In the spring we do running and lifting two or three times a week.
US: How much do you bench?
ZC: Right now, I don’t know.
US: Do you have a nickname on the team?
ZC: ‘Z’, ‘Zuzy.’ Back home my friends call me ‘Zuzca.’
US: Does your jersey number have any significance?
ZC: No, they just gave it to me.
US: Do you have any volleyball-related aspirations for after USU?
ZC: Yes, I want to go to Europe to play professional volleyball.
US: How do the fans at USU compare to fans elsewhere?
ZC: Here they are pretty nice to other teams. If you travel around, they’re not nice to other teams at all.
US: What’s your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
ZC: We drink Powerade.
US: Finish this sentence: If I had a million dollars I would…?
ZC: Hmmmm, a million dollars? I would buy a good car.
US: According to official NCAA volleyball rules, is it legal to use your feet?
ZC: Yes.
US: If they cold make a reality TV show about your life, what would they call it?
ZC: Big Party.
US: How often do you read the Statesman?
ZC: Pretty much every day. I usually read the sports.
-jhislop@cc.usu.edu