RADOM, Poland & SAN JUAN, Argentina – After closing out their varsity careers in March, McMaster Marauder men’s volleyball standouts Wojciech Kraj and Mateusz Wlodarski, will now continue their volleyball careers on the professional stage.
“The men’s volleyball program at McMaster is excited for Woj and Mateusz as they begin the next chapter of their volleyball careers,” said Head Coach, Brad Douwes. “These two men made a significant impact on the program, and we are grateful for the influence they had during their time at McMaster.”
Kraj, who made a significant impact on the Marauders men’s volleyball team during his final season, has signed a professional contract with Cerrad Enea Czarni Radom of PlusLiga, the top division of volleyball in Poland.
“My time as a Marauder will go down as memories I will always cherish,” said Kraj. “The program got me next level ready and I’m ready to show it on the professional stage.”
The Radom-based club will be entering its 12th season in the Polish first-division when the PlusLiga season officially gets underway next month. Kraj and his teammates have already played a number of pre-season friendly matches in preparation for the 2023/24 season.
A Polish national, Kraj arrived in Canada and joined the Marauders in 2019. During his three seasons with McMaster, he amassed 264 kills, 23 service aces and 178 blocks. He is a two-time OUA Champion, an OUA bronze medalist and closed out his career as a 2023 U SPORTS bronze medalist.
Kraj, who studied Actuarial & Financial Math, was recognized at the conference level as both an OUA West Second Team All-Star in 2022 and an OUA Second Team All-Star in 2023. He was also recognized as the Mikasa Player of the Match in his final game as a Marauder at the 2023 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship in Burridge Gymnasium.
“The interest of a PlusLiga team is certainly an honour for an athlete. Playing in this league has been a dream for me since childhood and a goal for the past few years. Enea Czarni Radom is the team in which I want to prove myself. PlusLiga is one of, if not the best, league in the world. Playing here will be a good challenge and I’m up for it.”
Wlodarski, an Ottawa local who played out all five years of eligibility with the Marauders, is taking the next step in his volleyball career after signing a contract with professional club UPCN San Juan Voley of the Argentine League.
“I’m very excited to take my game to the professional level for a club with a very rich volleyball history in Argentina,” says Wlodarski. “My time at McMaster has fully prepared me to compete at the next level: I have all the tools necessary to succeed as a pro thanks to the world class coaching and development I received at McMaster.”
Wlodarski studied Biochemistry at McMaster and will be finishing up his Masters of Biochemistry remotely while in Argentina. He was an OUA West Second Team All-Star in 2021-22 and was named an OUA First Team All-Star and the winner of the OUA Dale Iwanoczko Award of Merit in 2022-23. A 3x OUA Champion, Wlodarski closed out his varsity career as a U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian and as a U SPORTS bronze medalist.
Over his time with the McMaster men’s volleyball program, the 6’9 outside hitter played in 147 sets, recorded 322 kills, 51 service aces and 77 blocks.
“I look forward to continuing to represent the McMaster men’s volleyball program abroad and show the world what being a Marauder is all about.”
The veteran outside hitter will start his professional volleyball journey with UPCN San Juan Voley. The San Juan-based club has earned the distinction as the winningest club in the history of Argentine volleyball. Last season, the club finished the SuperCopa as champions, sweeping the competition in both the semifinals and finals. UPCN San Juan Voley also finished second in the LVA RUS national standings.
Douwes is excited to see what the future has in store for Kraj and Wlodarski. “I want to wish both Woj and Mateusz all the best as they start their careers in Poland and Argentina. We’re all looking forward to seeing what these Marauders accomplish at the professional level.”
For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.
This article is shared as part of our Fair Dealing Policy. For the original article, please visit: https://marauders.ca/news/2023/10/11/mens-volleyball-wojciech-kraj-and-mateusz-wlodarski-graduates-of-the-marauder-mens-volleyball-programs-sign-professional-contracts-overseas-in-poland-and-argentina.aspx