Łukasz Bogusz: Our strong point is definitely the serve

Did you conduct any extensive preparations before the start of the II Provincial Cadet League, or did you train with your players in a standard routine? What aspects did you focus on during training?

— For several years now, our preseason preparations have followed a similar plan. We start at the beginning of August, focusing on the physical conditioning of the girls. There’s a lot of strength training using medicine balls, resistance bands, and dumbbells.

— I also incorporate preventive exercises aimed at minimizing the risk of injuries, particularly to the ankle joint. We rely heavily on circuit training and obstacle courses. The latter is affectionately called the "death course" by the girls ;) It is indeed quite a demanding workout.

— A key element of our preparation is the training camp. This year, for the second time, we trained in Węgorzewo in collaboration with UKS2 Garwolin. It was a very productive time.

— Before the start of the season, we usually play a few friendly tournaments and scrimmages. This year, we participated in tournaments in Kozienice and Radom, where we took second and third place, respectively.

— The cadet league starts a bit earlier than the youth league, where we primarily competed until now, so we had slightly less time for preparations.

Did you set any goals for yourself and the team for the league? Was there a minimum objective to achieve?

— I didn’t fully know what to expect. Most of the teams we faced in the league were unfamiliar to us. Previously, we had only encountered Orlęta Raszyn, whom we played against in the spring during a tournament final in Kozienice, and KKS, whom we faced in the youth league last season.

— Our players are still younger cadets, so the results were not the most important thing. We just wanted to play as well as we could in every match and enjoy being on the court.

The cadets played 12 matches, winning 7 of them. Are you satisfied with this result? Did you hope for more, or were you surprised by such good outcomes?

— I must admit that the third place we achieved in the league was something I would have accepted without hesitation before the season. There aren’t many clubs competing in the cadet league. A significant number only train up to the youth level. Later, teams often disband, with more promising players moving to bigger clubs while the less competitive ones quit volleyball altogether. Ultimately, the league mostly features strong teams from major centers.

— I’m satisfied with the result and know how hard the girls worked for it. Of course, as the saying goes, "appetite comes with eating." We were very close to making the playoffs. Our encounters with Iskra Warszawa left a lot to be desired.

Which match in the II Provincial Cadet League 2024/25 do you consider the most successful or are most proud of, and why?

— Paradoxically, the best match we played might have been the first one, where we faced Orlęta Raszyn away. Although we lost 0:3, it was a very even contest with great plays from both sides. The lead kept shifting. It wasn’t until halfway through the third set that the opponents broke through with their serves and controlled that set until the end.

Which match do you consider the least successful, and what was the reason for it?

— Definitely the most memorable match was the away game against Iskra Warszawa. We knew it would be crucial for advancing to the next phase. Moreover, Iskra had only lost one match before. The girls seemed tense, but on the court, this translated into outstanding performance for almost three sets. We dominated the first two sets and led 21:9 in the third! It looked like a spectacular victory was on the way.

— Then, something inexplicable happened. A disastrous series led to losing that set 22:25.

— In the next set, Lena Rybitwa twisted her ankle, and the girls became even more discouraged. Ultimately, we lost the match 2:3. Instead of celebrating a quick win, we returned with a loss and an injury.

Which elements of your players’ game are you most satisfied with, and which do you think need improvement?

— I’m particularly happy with how the girls have adapted to the 5:1 system and coverage. I think each player consciously participates in every phase of the action. This allows us to dig a significant number of balls, making it difficult for opponents to score with simple attacks.

— Our strong point is definitely the serve.

— I believe we still have plenty of room for improvement in blocking and quick attacks. We’ll need to work on this more intensively.

— This team also definitely needs more experience and composure in critical situations.

What is the team’s atmosphere like after the conclusion of the II Provincial Cadet League 2024/25?

— I think the girls feel a sense of unfulfilled potential, particularly after the challenges with Iskra. They are certainly proud of themselves, but there’s a tinge of disappointment in all of us.

Do you already have any tournament plans for yourself and your players in the upcoming 2025 season?

— Yes, starting in January, the cadets will compete in the Amateur Volleyball League in Ryki. We will face, among others, adult players, which will certainly be a big challenge for us.

— However, most of my focus is now on the Mazovian Youth Championship, where players born in 2010/2011 are still competing.