Palatine, IL: Veronica Dabrowski had a fantastic two years at Harper College. Her Freshman year she played Outside Hitter and was named All-Conference. Veronica played in 121 sets, had 353 kills (2.92 kills/set), 333 digs (2.75 digs/set), and 42 blocks (.35 blocks/set), plus 18 aces. Harper finished 36-15 overall and 10-2 in N4C Conference (1st place tie) and finished ranked #5 in the nation.
In Veronica's Sophomore year at Harper College as a Middle Hitter mostly, she was named All-Conference, All-Region, All-Region Tournament Team, and was NJCAA Div III All-American. Veronica was also named Harper College Women's Student-Athlete of the Year. She was also named Next College Student-Athlete (NCSA) Athleader All-American. Veronica played in an eye-popping 174 sets, had 475 kills (2.73 kills/set), 76 aces, 335 digs (1.93 digs/set), and 105.5 blocks (.61 blocks/set). Harper finished 31-21, and 7-4 in N4C conference (3rd place), and again finished ranked #5 in the nation.
Questions and Answers with Veronica Dabrowski
Q: Did you have fun playing volleyball at the 4-year school after Harper?
A: "Some of my favorite life-time memories have been playing volleyball at Harper College. I would not trade those 2 years for anything! From playing at Harper, I had the opportunity to get recruited by a 4-year school on a full-ride scholarship. I did not have that kind of opportunity to continuing my athletic career when finishing high school. Harper definitely opened a lot of doors for me. To say I had fun during my time playing volleyball at Harper would be an understatement. "
"After Harper, I played at a 4-year school. I loved being able to play the sport I loved while pursuing my education with my end goal of becoming a physical therapist. Harper College has led me on the path to do exactly that while making lifetime memories and friends along the way."
Q: How was the college from an academic standpoint?
A: "I transferred to Bethel University after attending Harper College for 2 years. Being at Bethel for 2 years, I was able to major in the area I wanted and complete all my graduation requirements and pre-requisites for grad school for physical therapy."
Q: Did the degree you received help you get a job yet?
A: "At Bethel College, I majored in Exercise Science. My senior year I had an internship at a medical fitness facility, as a fitness specialist. I ended up working there full-time (which I loved) for a year before I started Physical Therapy school at Governors State University. (My end goal.)
I am now on my last semester of physical therapy school, where I will receive my Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree."
Q: Did Harper volleyball help prepare you for the next level?
A: "Harper volleyball definitely helped me to play at the next level."
Q: Did Harper Academics help prepare you for your 4-year school?
A: "Harper Academics definitely prepared me for a 4-year school. Harper has an excellent academic program. Some of the most challenging classes I had taken in my undergrad experience were at Harper. I would rate Harper on a similar type of rigor as a 4-year school."
Q: Anything else you want to tell us about your Harper experience, then your 4-year experience?
A: "Looking back, I am so grateful I chose to play volleyball at Harper College. It gave me so many opportunities afterward. I transferred to play at a 4-year school, I earned my Bachelor's Degree, I made it into a very competitive physical therapy program, and now I am months away from earning my DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). Looking back, I would choose it all again."
Q: Anything you'd like to add, that I didn't think to ask?
A: "My desire is to be a part of the Harper community once again after I graduate with my DPT. My dream is to work for Northwest Community Hospital (NCH), at their outpatient physical therapy clinic on Harper's campus. I would also like to be a part of Harper's new Physical Therapy Assistant Program in the future. Harper College is truly a great place, and I cherish a lot of memories I made there. I would love to give back to the school that helped me make it to where I am today."
Veronica finished up by saying, "I loved my time at Harper!"
"Wow… Dr. Veronica," said Harper Volleyball Coach Bob Vilsoet, and then stated the obvious, "Obviously, Harper is a good place to start college after High School!"
Continue to check in as we look to dive into more Hawk Spotlights!
