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Polenska ’13 owns the ice in Czech Republic and Providence

Originally hailing from the Czech Republic, Alena Polenska ’13 serves double duty as co-captain of the No. 12 Czech national women’s ice hockey team and co-captain of Bruno’s ice hockey squad.

The Kutna Hora native recently scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season in a 5-2 victory last Saturday over Rensselaer. The win, which came a day after a 2-1 triumph over Union, completed Brown’s first weekend sweep since 2009. As recognition of her accomplishments in these games, Polenska was recently named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week. The team will play its final two regular season games this weekend against Princeton and Quinnipiac. For her integral role on the team (6-18-1, 5-15 ECAC), Polenska has been named The Herald’s Athlete of the Week.

 

Herald: How did it feel for the team to gain their first weekend sweep since 2009?

Polenska: It was really cool. I wouldn’t say we didn’t expect it, but we were all really happy. Especially for the seniors, it was something we really wanted to do.

 

How does the team feel about its performance this season?

It’s been up and down. Some games were great — others were not so great. It all depends on this weekend — making the playoffs is our only goal.

 

When did you first get into hockey and why?

I was a year old when I first stepped onto the ice. I had an older brother who played. I always stole his hockey stick, and so our parents figured they had to buy me one for myself. I really loved the speed of the game.

 

Coming from the Czech Republic, how did you end up at Brown?

I went to high school in Pennsylvania, and so I figured that if I was in the States, I might as well finish my education here.

 

How is life back home different from here?

There are a lot more options here. Here you can go to school, play sports and have a job all at the same time. It would be impossible at home.

 

You’re co-captain of the Czech national team. How do you deal with playing on such a big stage?

I’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s fun and it keeps life interesting, and it helps me stay refreshed.

 

What’s your concentration, and why?

I was a (Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations) concentrator until last spring, when I switched over, kind of late, to International Relations. I guess I just like the IR classes and find them more interesting than my business classes.

 

What do you plan to do after graduating this year?

I have no idea. I don’t want to start working yet, and I need a break from schools. I was thinking of having fun, maybe playing hockey for one or two years before getting a job or going back to graduate school.

 

What are your favorite things to do on campus?

I actually love working a lot. I work for BuDS, and the kids I work with are really fun.

 

What’s been the best part about going to school in America?

Being able to balance hockey and school, both at a high level.

 

And what’s been the worst part?

Not having enough sleep.

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