Lausanne, Switzerland, May 10, 2019 – Towering at 197cm, Agnieszka Kakolewska was one of Poland’s strongest weapons in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Her team were expected to have to fight for survival in the competition. Instead, led by their captain, they got close to making the finals after wins over the likes of China, Italy and Russia.
Aga Kakolewska blocking against Italy in Poland’s first VNL win
“I hope this year we will do even better,” the Polish middle blocker told fivb.com. “We are a young team and our goal was just to stay in the VNL. I think we did a great job and we won many difficult games against some big teams. Our greatest strength was our team spirit and every single player contributed. We were satisfied as we were so close to the finals.”
At the end of the preliminary round, Poland had won eight of their 15 matches and Aga Kakolewska topped the best blockers chart with 52 stuff blocks.
“I tried to give my best to the team and my best skill is blocking. I just tried to stay focused on every single game, set and ball. Yes, I was the best blocker, but it’s all about teamwork,” said Kakolewska. “It was my first year as a captain and it was a big pleasure for me.”
The 24-year-old athlete expects the second edition of the VNL to be even stronger and tougher, so she thinks it is a great advantage to her team that they will start their 2019 campaign at home. On May 21, 22 and 23, Poland entertain Italy, Germany and Thailand in Opole.
Kakolewska greets the home fans in Poland during the 2018 VNL
“I am so happy that our first VNL tournament will be in Poland. We do not have a lot of time to play together so there will be some difficult games,” she explained. “Last year was so good, but I think this year will be even more difficult so, again, our goal should be to keep our place in the VNL. It is not easy to play the best volleyball all the time in such a long competition, but we have to be focused on every single game, play together, help each other and perform as best as we can as long as we can…”
Aga Kakolewska did not wait long to re-confirm her status as one of the best in the world in her position. In September 2018 she was the best middle blocker at the strong international Montreux Volley Masters tournament. In the club season that followed, Kakolewska also proved the best blocker of the Italian league.
“It was not an easy season and I am so proud of this result,” she said. “It shows that the Italian direction is right for me.”
In fact, this was Kakolewska’s first season outside Poland. She and her teammates at Epiu Pomi Casalmaggiore finished sixth in Serie A1.
“I'm still a young player and the most important for me is to improve. I think the Italian league is the best in the world and when I received a chance to play there, I didn’t think long. The first year was not easy - new culture, new language, new players - and the first few weeks were the most difficult. After that, it got better and better. I started to learn Italian and I love the food and the climate there, so I hope it will be much easier next season.”
“Outside volleyball, I like to do many crazy things,” Kakolewska admitted, but as she said, there is nothing so surprising about spending time with close ones, or about travelling or cooking. “Spending time with family and friends is the most important thing for me. This summer we have a lot of tournaments and I don’t have much time for holidays, so I will just spend a week in Poland with them. I do like travelling and after the VNL last year I spent my holidays with my best friend in Greece. I like to get to know new places and I had a great chance to do it in Italy. Another of my passions is to cook. My favourite is healthy sweets without sugar, gluten and lactose…”
Aga Kakolewska was asked to pick out the teammates she would like to have on her dream team. Interestingly, she named two middle blockers, humbly vacating her own position, but as she had already pointed out, it’s all about teamwork...
Agnieszka Kakolewska’s dream team:
Setter: Asia Wolosz (Poland) – We’ve played together on the national team. This year I played against her in Italy. She is the best setter in the world!
Opposite: Tijana Boskovic (Serbia) – She has a great technique and has mastered many kinds of spiking.
Outside hitter: Lucia Bosetti (Italy) – This year I played against her. She’s incredible in defence and reception.
Outside hitter: Brankica Mihajlovic (Serbia) – She’s one of the best in this position, and with Bosetti on the team, she could really focus on spiking.
Middle blocker: Maja Poljak (Croatia) – When I was younger I always watched her games and tried to learn as much as I could. She was a great blocker and spiker.
Middle blocker: Milena Rasic (Serbia) – She’s one of the best in the middle, especially in blocking.
Libero: Monica De Gennaro (Italy) – She’s incredible! She’s so quick and reads the game well.