Ratajczak impresses at Games

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. — In high school, Jacek Ratajczak was touted as one of the best volleyball players in PSAL history. He was certainly the most talented hitter to ever come out of William Bryant.
However, once he arrived at national Division I power Cal State Northridge, the Polish 7-foot-2 giant realized his days of dominating through natural talent were a thing of the past. The Woodside product entered a world where volleyball was played year round and he would have to earn every chance.
As a freshman, Ratajczak played in just nine matches, registering only nine kills. A far cry from his historic junior season at Bryant, when he led the Owls to the city title with 275 kills and 80 blocks.
Initially, Coach Jeff Campbell was going to red shirt him, giving him an extra year of eligibility to practice and learn the game. However, the Matadors needed Ratajczak as insurance, so he was made eligible. In just a year out west, though, Ratajczak has learned a great deal. From September through April, it was all volleyball, all the time. The team would practice for three-to-four hours a day in addition to team weightlifting workouts and cardiovascular exercises, capped by video sessions.
“It taught me a lot and I learned a lot about volleyball,” he said. “No I didn’t play much, but I knew why. That did not bother me. There were players better than I was. I was just working hard new every day. It is a great experience being around something you love. That’s always good.”
The experience has only spurred Ratajczak along. In just one month, he will return with an opportunity to start in the middle. Still, Ratajczak was spending the end of July in Westchester at Pace University in Pleasantville for the Empire State Games.
“The competition is good,” he said. “I like representing New York City.”
The stay did not go quite as planned. New York City went 3-5, failing to reach the medal round. Nevertheless, in Ratajczak, his teammates and coaches did not see the timid, almost pole-thin figure they had come to know last summer. He was replaced by a talented, more confident middle hitter starting to fill out. Opponents put on a triple-block on Ratajczak in front of the net, as opposed to virtually ignoring him, as was the case a year ago.
“He improved tremendously,” New York City open coach Merlin Thompson said, adding, “From last year to this year, he took a big step.”