Damian Goleb: This season, BKS BOSTIK Bielsko-Biała definitely had more wins than defeats, but after the defeat they became a little more popular. After the defeat to UNI Opole, I posted on Instagram Abusive messages on social networking sitesThat you and your friends got. The club commented on this matter. Have you ever faced a similar situation, with such disgusting news?
Polina Damasky, BKS host: Failure always brings with it some criticism. We are prepared that there will be a group of people who will hate us. But after this defeat, the hatred became much greater. A certain line has been crossed. We were very surprised. I don't think any athlete is ready for such an “exchange of words.” These messages actually contained threats. We may be afraid to leave the house. And since we are women… If you see the content of this message, know that it can affect a woman's psychology, even later in relationships with men.
Was there more surprise than fear?
– There was concern. However, we have people who care about us, and we have nothing to worry about. But at first we were afraid that what was written in this letter would come true. When you read this message three times in a row…we told our boss quickly and she actually took care of it. The club took care of us.
– The case has been reported. I can't say anything more at the moment. But we didn't let it go unreported, without trying to do something about it.
You're at the beginning of your career, but you've also been playing in the Tauron Liga for several years. Do you think hate is a big problem in volleyball today?
– There was hatred before, and now there is a lot of talk about it. There are influencers who have to confront this. There has always been hatred in sports. Now there are more people who are talking about it more boldly. Hatred should not be shown when we lose, and the same person praises us after winning the match.
Recently, after a match against ŁKS, one of the guys wanted to take a photo with me. We made it and he apologized to me for the hate text he wrote to me on messenger. I blocked him immediately and will not touch these people. On the one hand, he hates me, and on the other hand, he comes to take a picture. To me this is just ridiculous. Well, I respect him for having the courage to come forward and apologize. But I think he might write something similar for me again someday.
I understand that despite your apology, your ban has not been lifted?
– no. I took a picture with him and told him that he should think twice before writing something next time. Every athlete experiences this, but we're used to it too. During major events, we simply don't browse social media because it's easier.
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I played in the school sports tournament in Štıcherk. Did you receive lessons there on how to handle such situations with hate?
– No, we did not have further care from a sports psychologist. But the coaches prepare us for that. There are matches after which they say: “Girls, do not look at what is written.” We have a problem with this, but so do the coaches. They are the first to receive hate, and failure is always their fault. So they give us advice on how to deal. If there was bad news, they offered us a helping hand and told us not to worry about it and not to take it personally.
The more experience, the easier it becomes to deal with such situations?
– Yes. All of these messages move to the Other folder. We either block these people or leave messages and don't respond. Later, when we sit together and read it, we just laugh about it. Sometimes these people write after a week of hating us: “You know, I was wrong, you played well.” And another week later, after defeat, when someone bets, for example, on our victory, he writes: “I was wrong, but you are bad.” This is just ridiculous.
For example, I don't look at it, and I block these people immediately. Every athlete hits a low point at some point, especially when they haven't performed well for a long time. Then hatred becomes a problem. Because if someone tells you 20 or 100 times that you are bad, your self-confidence dies. It is then important that you say it out loud and get rid of negative messages and thoughts immediately.
Is your Instagram profile also a form of communication with fans?
-I manage it myself. Honestly, I think I can manage it better in terms of fan count. For me, satisfaction is that I can share something, show what we do, and promote myself and the club. Fans record videos of matches. This relationship with fans is also important. Not everyone is bad, after all. A lot of people really support us. By sharing their stories, we give back and show that we see their support.
BKS BOSTIK Bielsko-Biała surprises in TAURON Liga. “I said from the beginning that the goal was to play in the playoffs.”
There are a few defeats for BKS this season, they recently defeated the Polish champions from ŁKS Commercecon in impressive style. I finished third in the TAURON League. What is the key to these good results?
– We started the season very well – with seven wins. In the first round, we only suffered two defeats, and in the end we finished fourth. This shows that the top of the table are fighting with each other. It will not be known until the last minute how the qualifiers will go. At the beginning of the season, I immediately said that my goal was to play in the playoffs. I can't imagine not reaching them. Especially since we have a good team.
Is maintaining a place in the top four also a goal? This ensures a very good starting position to fight for medals.
– Yes, after the match against ŁKS we were able to advance to third place, one point ahead of Lodz. Now it is important to focus on the upcoming matches and not lose points. Then it will be easier for us to set up. But after the match against UNI Opole, where the opponents were very brave, I would not say that I would like to play against any particular team. Because it is an opportunity for us and for them.
She played a role in this season's success, which can be seen in the stats. She has been awarded the MVP statue three times. What are the prices in the Bielsko locker room? MVP buys pizza?
– For us, this is usually the proverbial brewery. But the thing is, when you get the best player or shots on net, which also happens, you can choose the price: some cakes or sweets or just pay by the thousand (laughter). Every time we go, someone makes a cake. Polina Majkowska keeps a list that she “reserves” for us until each one is paid for. No one will miss this.
I joined BKS two years ago and started playing in the starting lineup for a strong team. Do you feel that you have made significant progress in the past two seasons?
– I think I made a very big leap. When I came to Bielsko, I didn't know that I would be the team's top scorer. However, our American player T'Ara Ceasar quickly exited the game and fell into the deep end. But I'm glad my path turned out this way. Now I feel more confident.
The item you still need to work on the most?
– head. You can learn anything, but if your head is stuck, you won't do anything. If you tell yourself that you are weak in some aspect, it will simply be so – because you think so.
Polina Damaski again in the Polish national team? “The profession itself is beautiful, but…”
Did coach Stefano Lavarini's call-up to the Polish national team last year have an impact on your mind?
– It's a big difference, but 30 people were called up, so the list probably included all the receivers who could be called up.
The call itself was nice, but it would be an even greater honor for me to go to training camp. I played in the national team during the SMS era. That was always my goal: to be in the national team. In senior volleyball, it's not that simple.
After you were on the draft list, did you reach out to Lavarini or anyone on the staff?
– The coach wrote to me that I should be ready, but I did not arrive at the training camp.
Where did you watch the decisive Olympic qualifying matches? Were emotions high?
– I could not be at the Lodz Stadium because preparations for the season were already underway. But of course we watched the matches and supported them. What the girls did in the last encounter was cosmic. I think they felt they could achieve the goal, and the coach encouraged them mentally. It was clear that they believed it. I'm happy with this result and that they are back in good health after their marathon in the summer.
Since this season is going well for you, do you hope to be on the national team coach's roster at least once again?
– Being called up gives me a feeling that I have been noticed and that my level is already at the national level to some extent. But getting there is another thing. I know girls who played in the Nations League or European Championships. They are really good players. Just competing with them will give me a chance to make great progress. We'll see how things go this year. Maybe I will be able to participate, but I don't think that's my main goal. I'm just doing my job. If I'm appreciated and the coach wants to test me, I'll be happy. But I don't think about that. The girls have qualified for the Olympics, and the coach is sure to build the team for the tournament on that foundation.
So what is your volleyball dream for this year?
– Torun League Medal. I see I can get it. And I really want to. In the match against ŁKS, we did everything we had to do. He showed us that when we train well and do what the coach tells us, we get results. We weren't very excited about this win, but we saw that when everyone focuses on themselves and works hard, the match becomes much easier. All of us have playoff games on our minds: we want and need to be there.
Interview conducted by Damian Goleb
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