Dig R Knights: Kamila Cieslik
Sep 11 | Women's Volleyball
Get To Know More About The Scarlet Knight Senior Right Side Hitter & What Made Rutgers the Right Fit for Volleyball & Her Future
Kamila Cieslik asked her parents the one question it seems like every little girl at one point begs of her parents – Can I have a pony?
"I've absolutely adored being around horses and for my eighth birthday my parents took me for my first riding lessons," remembers Cieslik who had a one-point thought about doing a presentation to show her family and friends what a great idea it would be to own a horse.
The love of horses never left Cieslik who went on to develop an affection for volleyball.
Even one basic aspect of the game the Scarlet Knights have been focusing on is communication in service.
"You can't play in the Big Ten without good communication," Cieslik noted as one of six hailing from the United States along with seven international Scarlet Knights on the roster. "I'm more of an over-communicator so I feel like I'm all right on the communication part. Now it's just getting everyone to be on the same page as far as communicating."
Nevertheless, over-communicating had an advantage when you talk about the year 2020.
With the roster having to undergo quarantine after arriving on campus, Cieslik reached out with phone calls and texts to check up on her teammates.
"We wanted to make sure they were not bored, that they have food and whatever else they needed," she explained. "For the newcomers, they're getting used to this whole new environment but wanted to make sure they felt super welcomed. We want to take care of them and we want them to be here, so making sure that they feel that way and understand that it is a top priority."
Adjusting to Rutgers and New Jersey is something that Cieslik understands having arrived at Rutgers four years ago from Knoxville, Tennessee.
"Being from Tennessee, I love being outdoors and hiking and it's super handy that New Jersey has a lot of hiking areas, outdoors trails and stuff," said Cieslik of what she has grown to love about the Garden State. "I've even gone into Pennsylvania too on a few hikes there. And of course, having the Cook campus farm so close by. It is absolutely awesome and one of the main reasons I came here actually. So, having those things around has been awesome. Even though I'm not a big city girl, being close to New York City has been very rewarding in the sense that I can explore so many things at a pretty reasonably close distance."
Meanwhile, on the court, Cieslik's experience will important in acclimating the newcomers and continuing the upward trajectory of the Rutgers volleyball program. Highlights from her past seasons include being named to three all-tournament teams as a freshman, earning MVP of the East Carolina Tournament, to capturing a double-double of 12 kills and 10 digs in helping the Scarlet Knights to the Rutgers Invitational title and getting a starting nod against No. 8 Nebraska a year ago.
"I want to support my teammates from any position and help lead the change in the culture of the new Rutgers volleyball program," she noted of her role on the team in playing in the nation's top conference.
As for the future, while Cieslik's original plans were to look at veterinarian school, that idea has evolved over time into becoming registered and certified as a riding instructor and mental health specialist.
"I've been working at equine assisted activities and therapies center, so ideally once I graduate that's what I'd love to do," she noted. "Tying it all together would be the ideal world for me."
Because of Rutgers, Cieslik has been able to tie in her love horses and passion to play volleyball and continue to grow in both areas right here "On The Banks".
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
"I've absolutely adored being around horses and for my eighth birthday my parents took me for my first riding lessons," remembers Cieslik who had a one-point thought about doing a presentation to show her family and friends what a great idea it would be to own a horse.
The love of horses never left Cieslik who went on to develop an affection for volleyball.
 |
Kamila Cieslik with the animals on
Rutgers' Cook Campus |
"I was riding all the time, but I also saw how things were going well with volleyball," recalled Cieslik. "I loved the game, loved the girls I was playing with, had the drive to get better at it and saw how it was making me into a better person."
As Cieslik became older though, it seemed like she would have to decide whether to focus her time and energy on horses or her sport. However, when it came down to looking at colleges, she managed to find the best of both worlds at Rutgers.
"Rutgers has a very, very prominent Equine Science Center," explained Cieslik. "When I came on my unofficial visit I was speaking to the director there and she was explaining all the great things they do. I was like 'wow this is a great place to be'. On top of Rutgers being in the Big Ten and the great academics, it put everything all together for me."
The animal science major now enters her senior season in 2020 and is one of five veterans (not be confused with veterinarians) on the roster who is adjusting to head coach Caitlin Schwiehofer's new system.
"We're all super eager to get into the gym every day," said Cieslik of practice thus far. "The coaches have been working individually with each player on what skills we need to focus on and the fundamentals that we can really hone in on. Every single person I can say has made improvements."Cieslik has noted the offense has upped its tempo and attention as of late has been on concentrating on the serve receive to provide the Scarlet Knights setters with the best possible ball.
As Cieslik became older though, it seemed like she would have to decide whether to focus her time and energy on horses or her sport. However, when it came down to looking at colleges, she managed to find the best of both worlds at Rutgers.
"Rutgers has a very, very prominent Equine Science Center," explained Cieslik. "When I came on my unofficial visit I was speaking to the director there and she was explaining all the great things they do. I was like 'wow this is a great place to be'. On top of Rutgers being in the Big Ten and the great academics, it put everything all together for me."
The animal science major now enters her senior season in 2020 and is one of five veterans (not be confused with veterinarians) on the roster who is adjusting to head coach Caitlin Schwiehofer's new system.
"We're all super eager to get into the gym every day," said Cieslik of practice thus far. "The coaches have been working individually with each player on what skills we need to focus on and the fundamentals that we can really hone in on. Every single person I can say has made improvements."Cieslik has noted the offense has upped its tempo and attention as of late has been on concentrating on the serve receive to provide the Scarlet Knights setters with the best possible ball.
Even one basic aspect of the game the Scarlet Knights have been focusing on is communication in service.
"You can't play in the Big Ten without good communication," Cieslik noted as one of six hailing from the United States along with seven international Scarlet Knights on the roster. "I'm more of an over-communicator so I feel like I'm all right on the communication part. Now it's just getting everyone to be on the same page as far as communicating."
Nevertheless, over-communicating had an advantage when you talk about the year 2020.
With the roster having to undergo quarantine after arriving on campus, Cieslik reached out with phone calls and texts to check up on her teammates.
"We wanted to make sure they were not bored, that they have food and whatever else they needed," she explained. "For the newcomers, they're getting used to this whole new environment but wanted to make sure they felt super welcomed. We want to take care of them and we want them to be here, so making sure that they feel that way and understand that it is a top priority."
Adjusting to Rutgers and New Jersey is something that Cieslik understands having arrived at Rutgers four years ago from Knoxville, Tennessee.
"Being from Tennessee, I love being outdoors and hiking and it's super handy that New Jersey has a lot of hiking areas, outdoors trails and stuff," said Cieslik of what she has grown to love about the Garden State. "I've even gone into Pennsylvania too on a few hikes there. And of course, having the Cook campus farm so close by. It is absolutely awesome and one of the main reasons I came here actually. So, having those things around has been awesome. Even though I'm not a big city girl, being close to New York City has been very rewarding in the sense that I can explore so many things at a pretty reasonably close distance."
Meanwhile, on the court, Cieslik's experience will important in acclimating the newcomers and continuing the upward trajectory of the Rutgers volleyball program. Highlights from her past seasons include being named to three all-tournament teams as a freshman, earning MVP of the East Carolina Tournament, to capturing a double-double of 12 kills and 10 digs in helping the Scarlet Knights to the Rutgers Invitational title and getting a starting nod against No. 8 Nebraska a year ago.
"I want to support my teammates from any position and help lead the change in the culture of the new Rutgers volleyball program," she noted of her role on the team in playing in the nation's top conference.
As for the future, while Cieslik's original plans were to look at veterinarian school, that idea has evolved over time into becoming registered and certified as a riding instructor and mental health specialist.
"I've been working at equine assisted activities and therapies center, so ideally once I graduate that's what I'd love to do," she noted. "Tying it all together would be the ideal world for me."
Because of Rutgers, Cieslik has been able to tie in her love horses and passion to play volleyball and continue to grow in both areas right here "On The Banks".
Follow Rutgers women's volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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