Former Standout Alicja Wolny Selected to Great Britain National Team
June 04, 2019 | Softball
2013 graduation Alicja Wolny enters her second stint with Great Britain
Former University of Louisville softball standout Alicja Wolny was recently named to the Great Britain national team and will compete in the European Women's Championship in late June.
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The European Championship, which will be held in the Czech Republic and Poland, marks the start of Great Britain's attempt to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The top six finishers in that tournament will advance to the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier which will be held in the Netherlands July 23-28.
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Wolny, whose mother is a native of England, is entering her second stint with the Great Britain National Team – she was initially selected in 2013 following the complete of her career at Louisville.
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"It has been great being part of the softball community with coaching and giving lessons but there is nothing like playing," said Wolny. "Getting the opportunity to be back on the field to represent Great Britain again is an honor. When I heard softball was back in the Olympics. I knew if I was given the chance I was going to try and make the team."
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The El Dorado Hills, Calif. native played for Louisville from 2010-13 and was a 2013 NFCA second team all-America selection after leading the Cardinals with a .423 batting average. The first baseman belted out 11 home runs, scored 42 runs and tallied 55 RBIs during her senior season – that mark currently stands second on Louisville's all-time single-season list.
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Wolny is a two-time All-Great Lakes Region first team member and four-time All-BIG EAST Conference selection. The four-year starter is still ranked among Louisville's top five in all-time batting average, slugging percentage, hits, doubles, RBI and walks, games played and started.
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In her first stint with the Great Britain National Team, Wolny has played in two tournaments: the 2013 European Championships and the ISF Women's World Championships.
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"With being away from the field for so long I have a different appreciation for the game," said Wolny. "The passion I have this time around is different than before. When you don't have something for a while and finally get to have it back, you just see things in a different way. I am excited to travel again overseas and getting the chance to play in the 2020 Olympics is a dream come true."
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The European Championship, which will be held in the Czech Republic and Poland, marks the start of Great Britain's attempt to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The top six finishers in that tournament will advance to the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier which will be held in the Netherlands July 23-28.
Â
Wolny, whose mother is a native of England, is entering her second stint with the Great Britain National Team – she was initially selected in 2013 following the complete of her career at Louisville.
Â
"It has been great being part of the softball community with coaching and giving lessons but there is nothing like playing," said Wolny. "Getting the opportunity to be back on the field to represent Great Britain again is an honor. When I heard softball was back in the Olympics. I knew if I was given the chance I was going to try and make the team."
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The El Dorado Hills, Calif. native played for Louisville from 2010-13 and was a 2013 NFCA second team all-America selection after leading the Cardinals with a .423 batting average. The first baseman belted out 11 home runs, scored 42 runs and tallied 55 RBIs during her senior season – that mark currently stands second on Louisville's all-time single-season list.
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Wolny is a two-time All-Great Lakes Region first team member and four-time All-BIG EAST Conference selection. The four-year starter is still ranked among Louisville's top five in all-time batting average, slugging percentage, hits, doubles, RBI and walks, games played and started.
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In her first stint with the Great Britain National Team, Wolny has played in two tournaments: the 2013 European Championships and the ISF Women's World Championships.
Â
"With being away from the field for so long I have a different appreciation for the game," said Wolny. "The passion I have this time around is different than before. When you don't have something for a while and finally get to have it back, you just see things in a different way. I am excited to travel again overseas and getting the chance to play in the 2020 Olympics is a dream come true."
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