Read the interview we had with Svetlana Sopocheva, a volleyball player from Ukraine who has been training volleyball for more than 10 years.
1. Can you tell us something about yourself? What is your name, how old are you and where are you from?
"I, Svetlana Sopocheva, was born on January 5, 2002 in Kherson, Ukraine. This is the southern region of our country."
2. When did you become interested in volleyball and when did you start training?
"I started playing volleyball when I was 9 years old. I learned the basics of volleyball in the school volleyball club and consciously continued to practice classical and beach volleyball in the group MŠ no. 6 in Kherson. The desire to play and achieve more was huge, so the whole training process, mastering the technique, moderate physical training was 100 percent. I gained my first competitive experience at the city Spartakiad competitions as part of the team of the school where I studied and became the winner of the Spartakiad. And then more... regional championships in classic and beach volleyball, qualifying final rounds of the Ukrainian Indoor and Beach Volleyball Championships. "
3. How much are you tall and what position do you play?
"My height is 172 cm, I currently play as a libero, but I have experience as a secondary player."
4. Who are your idols in sports in general and who in volleyball?
"My idol in life is football player Cristiano Ronaldo, and in volleyball it is Hristina Nemceva, Zehra Gunes, Gabriela Braga Guimaraes (Gaba) and Tijana Boskovic."
5. Are you a member of a volleyball club and if so, which club?
"My first youth club was the first league team "Yuzanka" from Nikolaev. My second club is the Higher League team "Kharkovyanka" from Kharkiv. The third club is the Super League team (professional league) "Dobrodij - Medical University-SVSM" from Vinica, in which I still play."
6. Can you single out some success and tell us more about it?
,,Oве сезоне 2022/2023, постали смо сребрни шампиони Дмарт Супер лиге Украјине, а сам добио титулу мајстора спорта Украјине. Такође сам постала победник 18. Летње Универзијаде Украјине и добила титулу „Најбољи либеро.“
7. What are your plans for the future in terms of volleyball?
"My plans for the future are very big!!! I plan to play abroad and gain experience in world volleyball. My dream is to play in the world's top teams and to play in the Olympics."
8. Would you recommend the younger generation of boys and girls to try volleyball?
"I recommend all girls and boys to play both classic and beach volleyball. This type of sport develops both sports skills and human qualities in a child, such as endurance, willpower, friendship and many others."
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