Name: Adam Janowiak

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Left Side

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Downers Grove

High School: Downers Grove North

Lily Goodfellow: When did you start playing volleyball?

Adam Janowiak: I started playing competitively my junior year in high school, but I started playing in middle school and played through high school. Now [I play] here at the College of DuPage. So, I’ve been playing my whole life basically. But I mostly started playing competitively my junior year of high school.

LG: You put down a team high 11 kills in the last game. What skills do you have that make you so good at kills?

AJ: I feel like my attacking skills are very good. There’s a lot of things I throw in during a game that a lot of different players don’t really have with tips, rolls or just seeing where the block is. That’s mostly where I thrive most of the time. I see the whole court every single second of the game. So, I think that’s why.

LG: Is there a game you are most excited about this season?

AJ: I think it is going to be Bryant & Stratton [College] probably. They are also a junior college and they are pretty good this year. Last year they weren’t very good at all. Then, all of a sudden, they popped up out of nowhere this year and they have a bunch of good players. So, I think I’m really excited for that game. 

LG: What is your biggest goal with volleyball?

AJ: My biggest goal is to literally develop myself as much as I can and be a role model for the guys on the team this year because I am team captain this year. So, just trying to be a good friend and a good role model for everyone. Then in the future, go to play volleyball in college as well.

LG: As an athlete, how do you continue to test your personal limits?

AJ: Every day I try to push my personal limits. It’s very difficult though, because my body is always recovering with this sport. But every single day I try to push my limits no matter what. I try to develop myself in some form, either passing, hitting, team camaraderie or something like that.

LG: When you are losing a game or things aren’t going well on the court, what motivates you?

AJ: Overall, I don’t think I hang my head for very long. One coach gave me this advice that ten minutes after a loss or disappointing game, forget about it. So, you can be angry for ten minutes after the game and then after that, forget about it. Every single time I’m angry during a game or whatever, I just take a deep breath and I look at my teammates. All of the guys on the team this year are great guys. I feel like I just take a deep breath and then if the game disappoints me, I have ten minutes. And then after that, I’m done with the game. That’s usually how I think about it.

LG: Do you have any pregame rituals?

AJ: Drinking an energy drink. Every single time. I know it’s not good for me but it just gets me pumped a little bit. And the guys and I play a little spike ball game in the lobby sometimes before the game. So, that’s also another team thing we do that’s pretty fun as well.

LG: What is your favorite food?

AJ: Sushi. It has to be sushi. I love sushi so much. I don’t know how you don’t like it. 

LG: What is your favorite movie?

AJ: I would say Batman.

LG: Where do you want to be in five years?

AJ: I want to be in a warm climate on a beach with my girlfriend, who would hopefully be my fiancée soon.

LG: What one word best describes you?

AJ: Challenging. Because there’s a lot of different people in my life and they always say I’m difficult to work with sometimes. So I think that’s the word.

LG: Thank you very much, Adam.

AJ: Of course. Thank you for having me.