Volleyball player Dominykas on sports and studies: “After learning how to focus during practice, I transferred this skill to my studies”
University is not just about lectures in classrooms. It is also an opportunity for personal growth and developing your talents through extracurricular activities. That is why VILNIUS TECH invites students to join various sports teams and art clubs. Here you can find dates of the sport tryouts.
Dominykas Krivonos, a third-year Transport Engineering student at the Faculty of Transport Engineering who plays on the university's volleyball team, shares that this sport has not only helped him become physically stronger but also taught him how to focus and work with others—skills that undoubtedly come in handy in his studies.
We invite you to learn more about the VILNIUS TECH volleyball team, its traditions, and the benefits of the sport.
– First of all, tell us how you got interested in volleyball?
– I got interested around the ninth or tenth grade. My cousin suggested I watch the anime Haikyuu, and it got me hooked on volleyball. That’s how I started playing, and later, this sport brought me to the university.
There was no such club at my school, but there was a coach who had played volleyball himself for 25 years. He saw that there were people who wanted to play, and I was trying to practice on my own, so he started training me. Later, he formed a volleyball club. There weren't many of us, so we didn't have a very strong team and didn't participate in many competitions, but the coach dedicated a lot of time to us. I am very grateful to him for that.
[caption id="attachment_128083" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dominykas Krivonos[/caption]
– What does volleyball give you in general? Do you notice that sports change you as a person?
– First of all, I gained more self-confidence, my concentration improved, and I got stronger physically. It also became easier to communicate within a team. This is very useful in my studies when we have to do group work—it’s no longer as scary to speak up and communicate with others.
The biggest advantage, of course, is the opportunity to represent the university, defend its name, and travel around Lithuania and abroad. Representing the university and Lithuania is a great honor.
– You mentioned that volleyball helped improve your concentration. Does this help in your studies too?
– Absolutely. Before I started playing at the university, I had some concentration issues. After learning how to focus during practice, I transferred this skill to my studies and daily life. Now, when I’m doing an assignment or talking to someone, it’s easier to focus on what I’m doing and I get less distracted by things happening around me.
– You are currently a student who both works and trains. How do you manage to balance everything?
– I actually manage it quite easily. My schedule allows me to balance sports and studies, and practices usually take place in the evening, from 6 PM. Classes end around 4 PM, which leaves me a couple of hours to rest, get ready, and focus on practice.
We train three times a week, and those who want can come for a fourth time. Sometimes a few team members get together to practice in the mornings, too.In addition to my studies, I work part-time in a field related to my degree. My employer offers a flexible schedule, so it's not hard to balance everything. Sports, work, and studies teach you how to plan your time and allocate it properly.
– Tell us about the VILNIUS TECH volleyball team.
– We have about 16 people on our roster, although some players are graduating now. Around 14 players can participate in competitions. The team includes athletes playing in the top league, as well as in student or city leagues. Some team members represent other teams in the Lithuanian top league, but in the student championship, they represent VILNIUS TECH.
– Sports are unimaginable without testing your strength against other teams. Which competitions do you remember the most?
– The European Universities Championship in Italy was the most memorable. Actually, all the matches there were memorable because we saw that we could compete with European teams. We wanted to show that Lithuania is not a weak volleyball country and that we can fight them.
We finished in 14th place, but we gave almost every team a hard time—our opponents really had to sweat to beat us.
– Representing the university and the country probably means you get to travel? Do you often go to competitions abroad?
– Every year we have at least one trip abroad—we participate in the SELL Student Games and the Baltic Student Games. This year we also had the opportunity to go to Italy for the European Championship, so we’ve been abroad twice this year.
In Lithuania, we mostly travel to Šiauliai, Kaunas, and Marijampolė, although most of our games take place in Vilnius. The Lithuanian championship is mostly held on weekends, so sometimes we have to dedicate our weekends to matches.
– A coach undoubtedly plays a role in every team's success. Tell us, what is your coach like, and how does he train you?
– The coach is fun, though he can be strict at times. He is like a friend, but if needed, he can scold us and give advice. We get along with him really well.
– Out of all your time on the team, what stands out the most?
– Probably the trip to Italy. The team-building activities were also very memorable. When we live together under one roof abroad, we naturally spend more time together, which strengthens the team bond.
I also remember one specific match in Italy where the team was extremely fired up. It was so much fun watching everyone play. The student finals are also special—we have been champions for four years in a row now.
What I like the most is seeing how the team not only fights on the court but also enjoys the game. When you are a part of it, you get to experience those emotions yourself. It’s a very good feeling.
– Do you have any team traditions or rituals that you do before every match or practice?
– Our team is very friendly; everyone is upbeat and energetic. We have a tradition related to a Jamaican jersey. During the student finals, it goes to the player who had the biggest impact on the team. The jersey is passed on to a different player every year.
We also have a tradition of playing the song "Jamaika". It has become a sort of symbol for our team.
[caption id="attachment_128056" align="alignnone" width="1024"] VILNIUS TECH Volleyball team[/caption]
– Tell us, how do you welcome newcomers to the team?
– Newcomers first participate in tryouts. The coach observes the players, evaluates their skills, and decides who fits the team.Once they make the team, newcomers blend in pretty quickly. They immediately feel like part of the family. Our team really is like a family.
– And how was your own experience getting onto the team?
– It wasn't easy. I didn't make the team at first, so I just put in a lot of hard work—I practiced and eventually got in. Our team is really strong, and what the players can do during practices and matches is impressive.At first, it was hard to get used to this level—the gap between high school and university volleyball was huge. But now I've settled in and I feel really good.
– What advice would you give to those who want to make the team but failed on their first try?
– The most important thing is not to give up. If you didn't make it, it doesn't mean anything. You have to fight and work hard if you really want it. We have people on our team who worked hard, tried again, and eventually made the main roster.
– And what would you advise those who are just starting to play volleyball?
– Don't be afraid and be brave. Don't overthink your mistakes—we all make them. The most important thing is to keep moving forward, show what you can do, and not give up.
– Finally, how do you evaluate the sports facilities and conditions provided by the university?
– The opportunities provided to athletes are impressive. We have a physiotherapist and a physiotherapy room, a large sports hall, and a weight room. The university offers a lot of opportunities to improve—we have everything we need.
Students can use the gym when it's not occupied, practice on their own, or lift weights. You can also make an appointment with the physiotherapist for muscle work or post-injury rehabilitation.
Here you can find dates of the sport tryouts.
More information about Sport and arts centre.
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