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Saint Mary’s University liked her, but she liked Winona State. After talking it over, it was obvious it wasn’t going to work.
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Saint Mary's University's Brittany Cherwinka sets the ball during a practice Thursday evening at the Gostomski Fieldhouse in Winona. (Photo by Fred Schulze/Winona Daily News) |
Cherwinka had to do what a lot of people would not want: she asked for another chance.
SMU thought it over and was not disappointed in taking her back. Currently, they’re making a great volleyball couple.
Cherwinka was being recruited by SMU coach Mike Lester, but she wanted to try to walk on at WSU.
When she realized after her freshman year that seeing the court for the Warriors was going to be tough, she asked Lester if there still was room at SMU.
“That took a lot for her to come and ask,” Lester said. “I think she was really nervous. She is so concerned. She wanted to make the right decision.”
Cherwinka transferred to SMU last year as a sophomore and was the backup setter.
Then she had sort of a volleyball epiphany over the summer and came into preseason workouts possessed.
“It’s my junior year,” she said. “I realized I only have two years left to play. I didn’t want it as bad as I do now.”
Cherwinka worked like crazy over the summer to get ready for the season. She lifted, ran, practiced and attended a jump clinic, adding 4½ inches to her vertical.
“The first day she came in, you could tell she worked hard over the summer,” Lester said. “People know how much time she’s put in. It’s easy to be a leader when you don’t have to do anything but be yourself, and that’s Brittany. During our preseason workouts, she was doing everything with ease.”
Cherwinka has shown that on the court with her play and leadership, and the team rewarded her by voting her a captain.
“That means more to me than seeing time on the floor, knowing I have their respect,” Cherwinka said.
Added teammate Sarah Gardner: “She’s just working her butt off. She had a great preseason. She’s more vocal and concerned about everyone but herself.”
Cherwinka got a taste of both in SMU’s season opener because last year’s starting setter, sophomore Rachel Monterastelli, went down with a sprained ankle during preseason.
The Cardinals didn’t miss a beat.
SMU went 4-0 at the Elmhurst (Ill.) tournament, then defeated UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday to improve to 5-0 heading into its today’s home opener at the Sugar Loaf Classic.
The Cardinals will open at 2 p.m. against Marian (Wis.) and play at 6 p.m. against the University of Chicago.
Cherwinka is averaging 10.3 assists per game. She got her first 50-assist match last weekend in a 4-1 win over Elmhurst.
“She’s a great leader out there,” teammate Jess Larson said. “She’s a lot more confident this year and more vocal.”
The assists should pile up for whoever is setting — Lester talked about the possibility of using both Cherwinka and Monterastelli in a two-setter offense — because the Cardinals have a lot of weapons.
SMU has four players averaging more than two kills per game, led by Amu Kujak (2.94).
Despite all the weapons, Cherwinka hasn’t gotten any special treatment from her hitters. Being the one who’s going to distribute the ball, “maybe I should,” she joked.
