Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
There are not very many well rounded middle blockers that can be versatile on defense and offense.
Katarzyna Niderla is one of those few gifted players that exemplifies everything a coach wants.
On Tuesday, May 3, Niderla signed with NCAA Division II Glenville State University in West Virginia to continue her volleyball career.
Niderla tallied 384 kills, 50 service aces, 14 assists, 155 digs and 169 total blocks this past year for the Broncos during their 33-5 overall season that ended with an appearance in the NJCAA Division I national championship.
"After a good conservation with coaches over there, (having) a good connection with them was the main point," said Niderla on choosing Glenville State.
Niderla ranked fourth in the nation with a .372 hitting percentage while she was third in block assists with 142 and fifth in total blocks.
On the team, she ranked second in kills, first in service aces and first in blocked shots with 27. In 21 games, she tallied 10 or more kills.
Her highest kill mark came during the national title match where she had 16.
Niderla was named to the Region V Western Junior College Athletic Conference first-team All-Conference list.
She also was tabbed as a volleyballmag.com NJCAA All-American.
Niderla was named a WJCAC Player of the Week five times for her play on offense and defense.
As a freshman, she played in 79 sets while compiling 147 kills. She earned WJCAC Player of the Week honors twice while also being named to the WJCAC All-Conference first-team.
The Poland native credits New Mexico Military Institute for helping her stay on path and excelling her game.
"They prepared me for a lot of stuff like being on the (right) track (with) what I have to do, where I have to go," she said. "It was difficult at the beginning during the first two months because of the language barrier.
"I want to thank my coaches for sure. When I came here I didn't play for a year before I came to NMMI, so they helped me a lot by pushing me."
Niderla plans on studying sports management.
After competing for a great program, she has the skills and traits to help make any program better, no matter the level.
Niderla was a proven leader, and it showed on the court with her clutch play.
"Kasia's a big piece of our offense and our defense," said NMMI head coach Shelby Forchtner. "She's going to be greatly missed here. It's already been difficult to try to fill her shoes and find a middle that's at the same caliber that she's at.
"I'm just excited to watch her go do something at another level like I really honestly truly feel that she's going to be able to help the dynamic of that team."