For Temple Women’s Volleyball, a team rich with a mix of veterans and newcomers, it might be hard for an athlete to shine on their own.
Tell that to freshman middle back Stephanie Buynovsky.
Buynovsky leads the team with 28 total blocks and has 52 kills in 39 games played. This past weekend at the Temple Classic, Buynovsky contributed five blocks in a loss to Rutgers.
Buynovsky hails from Wyomissing, PA where she attended Wyomissing High School.
According to Buynovsky, her high school was not strong in preparation for college level volleyball.
“My high school was actually pretty bad at volleyball so I’m lucky to be here,” she said.
Thankfully, her school’s ability to play volleyball, or lack there of, had no affect on Buynovsky’s obvious natural talent for the game.
Temple coach Bob Bertucci is pleased with Buynovsky thus far.
“She brings energy to practice, an eagerness to learn, and a positive attitude,” Bertucci said. “Physically, she’s really coming along.
She keeps getting stronger and is becoming a dominant force. Skill wise, she has a ways to go.”
Bertucci never thought that she would be playing as much as she has.
“Stephanie is getting a lot of playing experience,” he said.
It’s been a smooth transition so far for Buynovsky and the atmosphere is really positive.
“It’s a lot of work, but its fun and I’m learning a lot,” she said.
Even in the season’s early stages, Buynovsky is showing that she is a great contributor to Temple’s style of play, and as a freshman, she still has a lot of time to improve.
“I’m learning a lot from the veterans,” Buynovsky said. “We have so much talent.
Our bench is really deep and our chemistry is awesome.”
Buynovsky, along with her teammates, has helped Temple to a 4-2 record up to this weekend’s competition at home.
“The competition was really easy in Maine and I was wondering why, and then we went to U Conn,” Buynovsky explained.
Temple had a tough weekend at U Conn, losing two of their three matches.
“The competition level was tougher at U Conn then at Maine so now I think I’m ready for the college level.”
As far as the entire Temple experience, classes and all, Stephanie has adjusted well to the college life and has made a lot of new friends.
“I don’t party a lot,” she said.
With any luck, she’ll be partying at the end of the season to celebrate success.
Saudia Mitchell can be reached at Saudrae@hotmail.com
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