The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Martyna Czyrniańska
Feature
Have you heard the name “Martyna Czyrniańska”? If you are following Polish Volleyball, you most probably have, and if not - we are pretty sure you will do so in the upcoming Volleyball seasons.
18-year-old, Czyrniańska is one of the hopes of women’s Polish Volleyball. This year she made her professional debut, signing with no other than the powerhouse of Chemik Police, and competing at CEV Champions League. In the summer of 2021, Martyna was one of the leaders of the U20 national team at the World Championship, and while her Poland finished sixth, Czyrniańska called the attention, showing good potential. Moreover, Martyna also debuted with the senior national team at VNL, and dreams high.
Read on and get to know the young Polish player, as she might very well be the Next Big Thing in Volleyball.
The Beginning
Martyna started playing Volleyball at the age of eight. Smiling, she says that it’s all thanks to her family.
Martyna Czyrniańska“My sister is six years older than me, and she used to go to trainings. My mother didn’t want to leave me alone at home, and she had to take me to my sister’s training because I come from a village from which it is difficult to get to the city. So my mother had to go to training with my sister, and she decided that she would just take me with her.”
Player of Chemik Police
At the beginning, Martyna didn't like Volleyball at all.
“I even cried when I thought about going to training. However, with time, everything changed and things turned around. When there was no opportunity to go to training, I used to cry. After some time, my sister gave up Volleyball, but I decided to continue this adventure.”
Going Pro
It took Martyna two years of trainings to be at 100% sure she wanted to continue with the sport on a professional level.
Martyna Czyrniańska“Nobody had to persuade me to become a professional Volleyball player. But I think that I was influenced by my first coach, who made me fall in love with Volleyball. After two years of training, I knew that Volleyball is something I want to connect my future with, if only my health allows it. I wanted to play at a high level and to become a professional volleyball player.”
Player of Chemik Police
The first professional contract
The talented outside hitter is now playing at Grupa Azoty Chemik Police. It's her first year with the club, and her first professional contract.
Martyna Czyrniańska“I feel very comfortable in Police. We have a great atmosphere with the girls, and we know what we are playing for in the Polish League. Choosing the Polish Champion as my first club was a big challenge, but I don't regret anything. I’m glad that I can train with experienced players and learn from them, and that I had a chance to appear in the Champions League.”
Player of Chemik Police
The #CLVolleyW Experience
Her first Champions League experience is something that Czyrniańska will remember forever. Grupa Azoty Chemik Police weren’t able to make it to the quarterfinals of the competition, but Martyna is glad to have had the chance to feel the emotion of Europe’s elite competition.
Martyna Czyrniańska“Playing in the Champions League is a great opportunity to compare yourself with teams from other leagues. It's a pity that we didn't make it to the quarterfinals, but I'm glad we had the opportunity to play with Imoco - the reigning champions.”
Player of Chemik Police
The National Team
Last summer, Martyna competed with the U20 team at the World Championship, and made a debut for the senior team. Czyrniańska has big aims regarding her future in the team.
“Yes, I participated in the U20 World Championship where we finished sixth, but I think our group could have done much more because we really had a very good and complete team. I remember the VNL very well, although I didn’t have many opportunities to play, but it was the first tournament at such a level in which I participated. When it comes to dreams related to the national team, I will maybe not say anything that creative because I think that the greatest dream of any athlete is to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Just participating in this tournament is a huge event, and winning gold would a dream come true.”
Martyna outside the court
Even though the 191cm tall Czyrniańska has a busy schedule, she tries to spend some high-quality time with friends whenever she has some time off.
Martyna Czyrniańska“I should admit that, honestly, Volleyball is my all, and I don’t have any other hobbies apart from it. However, in my free time, I love spending time with friends. I also love to play board games with family and to explore new places. There isn’t much time for that in my everyday life, but if I have at least two days off, I like to go somewhere. I don’t like sitting in one place. But spending evenings with Netflix and a good movie is also one of my favorite activities.”
Player of Chemik Police