:: Basketball Years

:: GAME TIME

My  love and passion for basketball was recognized in the early age, when I have been the youngest player in history of 1st Slovak women league playing regularly in the base five.
Loving the game, with number five on my chest and nickname Senda, I have attracted attention also of the National team coach.

Game time!

In 1996 I was invited to a national team and ever since, I have been captain of Slovak Junior Women’s team, where my leadership talent was first time in action. Youth Olympic Games in Moscow 1998, European Championships 2000 in Poland were just few highlights of my heart’s affair with basketball.

:: SCHOOL TIME – HIGH SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY

I was excelling also out of the court and my first eight years in elementary school were marked with result “All 1s.” (Note: Grade 1 is equivalent to the grade A in U.S. educational system).
High school years were very challenging for me, whereas I have joined class with specialization on mathematics and physics, while I was still maintaining highly dedicated athlete profile. Being out of the most class entertainment, strict time management, dealing with responsible lifestyle made me a bit an “outcast”, but I was convinced what my true bliss is and I was determined to manage both, school and basketball. Four years of sweat ended with final exam, on which I was supposed to be preparing like my classmates at home for 7 days, but instead of that I was leading the national team during intensive preparation camp.

Little me #5 with National Team on European Championships, 2000

I have skipped last tournament before European Championship in France, to take part on entrance exams to the best Slovak business school, Faculty of Management at Comenius University in Bratislava. Few days after my 18th birthday, I have passed the Mathematics and English test successfully. So, my challenging high school times served me well!

In September 2000, I have moved to the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava, to join university as well as my new basketball club. Being part of the first league team, meant practice two times a day, plus being a full time student along with it, was extremely tough.
On 2nd February 2002, I have made one of the most heart breaking decision of my life (so far). I quit playing basketball, to pursue my studies. I have finished my basketball story in grand style, with amazing performance against team, which won European Champions League several years in a row. My final autographs as Senda5 were given away after game against team from Ruzomberok.

Basketball memories are captured at the picture and kept on the shelf of her room in Poprad

(part three is next)