Seven years of playing volleyball at school - both elementary and high school - is paying off for a Peacock Collegiate senior.
Jillian Polupski recently signed to play volleyball for the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.
The move will see Polupski receive a partial scholarship towards her long-term goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.
“I’ve signed to play with Medicine Hat. I’m going into teaching; it’s going to be an amazing opportunity there,” Polupski said.
While playing with the Rattlers she will continue her regular position as a setter.
“I started playing (volleyball) in grade 6 in elementary then I played club as a 14 year old.”
Polupski said she doesn’t know why she chose volleyball over another sport but, “ever since I started playing, I just loved it. It’s been a (great experience). I loved playing with all of my teams over the years.”
While she was an elementary school student at Lindale School, she described playing on the A-Team as a lot of fun.
Despite never claiming the city elementary league championship, Polupski said the team was competitive and a great opportunity be on.
Polupski has played club volleyball for the last four years. She has been in the Thunder Creek Volleyball Club (TCVC) system for the last four years.
The program is headed up by her father Lorne Polupski who is well known in volleyball circles, both in Moose Jaw and elsewhere, in the province and beyond.
Additionally, Polupski has played four years of high school basketball with the Peacock Collegiate - two years on the junior squad and two years on the senior team.
Polupski said she enjoyed playing volleyball in Moose Jaw.
“I love the community and it’s been an amazing experience. It’s just so positive here. And it’s just been a lot of fun.”
About heading off to Medicine Hat to play volleyball is something she’s looking forward to.
“I’m super excited, and I know other Moose Jaw people who are going already. So I’m really excited to learn from them and there are so many great girls on the team and I can’t wait to learn from them.”
There is no higher level in female volleyball she can advance to become part of in Canada.
Despite this, Polupski said she’s happy to have the opportunity to play volleyball at the top rung of the sport.
“I get the opportunity to continue to play the sport I love there. I can continue to grow and working hard at a sport I love,” Polupski said.
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