AMHERST, N.Y. – Jacek Ratajczak is growing – literally.
The 7-foot-2 native of Warsaw, Poland is coming off a banner year on the volleyball court, helping lead Cal State Northridge to its first NCAA final four appearance in 17 years, earning All-American honors for the second time in his collegiate career.
“It was amazing for us, the coaches, it was also their first time,” the former Bryant HS standout said. “I would love to do it again.”
Ratajczak was a 7-footer when he entered college, but his growth on the court is more pronounced. Just ask Wojciech Jakubiak, his teammate on the New York City open men’s volleyball team at the Empire State Games and a former opponent at Grover Cleveland HS.
“He was a tall, very lanky dude,” Jakubiak said of Ratajczak in high school. “He was not very good.”
But Ratajczak has improved to the point where he’s one of the best volleyball players in the country, and yet, still has a lot of room to grow. Well, at least in terms of volleyball.
“He wants to get better,” Jakubiak said. “He can always be better. He’s still got school and then hopefully we’ll see him on TV again.”
Jakubiak watched Ratajczak on television in the fall when Cal State Northridge fell to Penn State in three sets in the national semifinals. It was the crowning moment of Ratajczak’s burgeoning career and his final as a collegian.
“It was the best,” he said. “It was probably the best experience of my life so far, not only the season, but also the postseason. I really enjoyed it.”
Ratajczak, who led his team in kills with a career-high 286, while also hitting .456, has gotten on the United States men’s national team’s radar.
“They called me last year and wanted me to come down and train with them,” he said. “I would love it. It’s a great opportunity to train with the best players in the county.”
For now, Ratajczak is enjoying playing in the Empire State Games. He played on the scholastic team when he was at Bryant and fell in love with the competition.
“I started here,” he said. “In high school I went to Empires to practice and play every day so I know and appreciate that this is for everybody as well as for me. I enjoy coming back here.”
On Thursday afternoon at University of Buffalo’s Alumni Arena, Ratajczak helped lead the New York City open team to a sweep of Long Island, 25-23, 25-16, 15-12, in the opening game of pool play at the 2010 Empire State Games.
It’s not the final four, but Ratajczak is having a ball regardless.
“This is a very fun weekend,” Ratajczak said. “Every year we come here, train, get better and come here to play. It’s fun, a very relaxed environment. I love it.”