Men's Volleyball: Marauders Add Polish Import Kraj in 2019

The 6’10” middle played at McMaster in January with club team Jastrzebski Wegiel

In January, Wojtek Kraj arrived in Hamilton to oppose the Marauders. But, by the fall, the middle hitter will be on the other side of the net wearing maroon.

The product of the Polish club Jastrzebski Wegiel was a part of the junior program that toured Hamilton and Toronto in January, and will be making the former his home for the foreseeable future, having committed to study at McMaster and play for the Marauders on Friday.

"I am very excited to work with Wojtek," says McMaster head coach Dave Preston. "He's a world-class athlete and an international student with world-class character to match. He will be a tremendous ambassador for McMaster University."

"It's a groundbreaking venture for us to bring Wojtek here, and we are extremely grateful for the cooperation of the Jastrzebski Wegiel volleyball program and all of those who assisted in bringing this project together."

The 6'10" hitter started both of Jastrzebski Wegiel's matches against the Marauders and racked up a combined 11 kills against his new team, hitting .636 in the second contest on January 5. He arrives with an immediate impact in a McMaster middle rotation that includes returnees Tyler Pavelic, Bennett Swan, Dylan Romero-Marshall and Josh Ecklund.

His experience of campus, and of the Southern Ontario more generally, piqued his interest and convinced him that Hamilton could make a rewarding stop on his journey toward the professional ranks.

"We were only here for two weeks in January, but the sights in Hamilton and Toronto were something very different from any Polish city," says Kraj. "The architecture and the way cities are planned here really impresses me as a European."

"Campus is quite dense, and the experience of the Burridge Gym was a great atmosphere. It's a place that makes me feel at home even though I'm a nine-hour plane trip from Poland."

When asked to describe his style of play, Kraj emphasizes that he strives to have his efforts on court speak for themselves, and focuses on remaining quiet, calm and humble while the mid-match battle rages on around him.

Despite his credentials at the club level with Jastrzebski Wegiel, which he joined as a cadet in 2014, Kraj takes nothing for granted in his transition to the varsity game in Canada.

"I know that I could do a lot for the Marauders, but I need to work hard and I'll do my best to help the team win every match that I play in."

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