One of the best polish female volleyball players – Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata departed to China, where the next season she will play for Evergrande Kanton. Polish player decided to move to another club last year. – Every season I set myself new goals – said Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata. – In Italy I won everything I could. I have experienced great Italian school of volleyball, together with life and language. I met many amazing people and friends. It was not easy for me to leave Italy. Furthermore, later in Turkey I have experienced similar situation. I wanted to win in the Champions’ League, but unfortunately I did not manage to, but I won different awards which I always wanted. I have always dreamed of visiting China or Asia. Asian players present a completely different kind of volleyball. Whenever I played in the polish national team against China, Japan, or Korea I thought it would be interesting to try myself in their league – to experience their trainings, culture, food and spend some nice time there. I was given a great proposal from Evergrande. Nice club, with great female coach, contract for fantastic money. How could I refuse? It was a trip I have been thinking of for such a long time and despite previous proposals from particular Asian clubs, I did not have enough courage. Finally, after this season in turkey I decided to leave to China.
The Chinese league is very atypical. The season takes three months and a half. However there is not much time for rest. The trainings are very hard. – The preparation time in China is murderous – said Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata – We train four hours in the morning, two hours and a half in the afternoon, and later the gym. Practically we train all day long. However, the coach do realize that European and American players are not used to so many hours of training. I do not want it to sound strange, but Asians train this way all their life and are used to it. European one are not able to handle so many hours. Luckily, our coach knows how to deal with it and when to let us stop.
After first season spend in Evergrande, Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata decided to prolong her contract for another year. – I am glad to stay in Kanton- said Skowrońska. – To be honest, at the beginning of my stay in China and had a big crisis, but later I learned how to leave tere and found my own place in Asia.
- I was very sad when I had to leave China after the end of the season. - As I was leaving China I had an impression that I will never see my colleagues again. Some of them have never left China and maybe never will. The club immediately made me an offer for the next season, I decided right away. I did not wait longer for other proposals. I signed the contract immediately. Although this is the team with a language barrier, it feels great here. I hope for the next season in such a fantastic atmosphere.
Since four years Katarzyna Skowrońska-Dolata celebrates her victory in the championships of the country. Twice she won the Championship of Italy with Scavoli Pesaro, and later the Championship of Turkey with Fenerbace Stambuł, and last year the Championship of China with Evergrande Kanton. – I am so happy I have done all this – said the spiker. Every year I had a great luck to celebrate the victory and have fun after the success in league. Hard work brings the results. I have some experience and a lot of matches performed, what definitely profits in the game and makes me feel more comfortable on court. This year I would also like to defend the title with Evergrande Kanton. We play for the championship!