McKenna Woliczko’s first summer at Iowa has already given the Hawkeyes plenty to like.
The California five-star arrived in Iowa City after a competitive recruiting battle and made her commitment public with a video that quickly spread online, showing last year’s team learning the news on social media. Woliczko said she wanted to FaceTime head coach Jan Jensen with the announcement, and Iowa Athletics creative content’s Kobi Russom helped turn it into something extra.
“We texted him, and said ‘Hey we want to FaceTime Coach Jan, is there any way you can be videoing her?’” Woliczko said.
“He set it all up and it ended up being perfect. That video was so fun, I still get chills watching it.”
The move across the country came with the usual adjustment, but Woliczko said the homesickness was brief. She’s been living with Ava Heiden and Layla Hayes, and that has helped her settle in quickly.
“Just the support I’ve had has been amazing,” Woliczko said. “My mom, I probably call her four times a day, but I’m still in touch with my friends and family and I’m making new friends and making new family here.”
On the court, Iowa’s roster shift has already shaped what Woliczko is being asked to do. After her commitment in October, the Hawkeyes began moving away from a two-women post and toward a four-guard rotation, a change that opens up the guards Iowa has this season and pushes players like Woliczko and Journey Houston to extend their range.
That’s meant more work from deep for the freshman, and Jensen said the progress has shown up fast.
“She’s already improved from Day 1,” Jensen said. “She’s smart, her IQ, she’s just versatile. Her three-ball, that’s the one thing she didn’t do as much, it’s already so much better - but we’ve gotta keep getting it better.”
Woliczko has also been focused on adding strength for the physical demands of Big Ten play. She said she isn’t sure exactly how much muscle she has put on since arriving, but she can feel the difference.
“In high school I lifted a lot, but in college it’s the next level,” She said. “We’re constantly running and constantly doing things, but I’m very happy to be here and that was the goal. I know I’m pretty skinny for the most part and that I need to gain some weight and put on muscle so I can compete.”
The 6-foot-2 freshman is one of two newcomers on Iowa’s roster and arrives with a long résumé before playing a college minute. Expectations are already high, and Woliczko said she felt the welcome almost immediately.
“One of my first days here, I ran into like five people that were like, ‘thank you for coming to Iowa” Woliczko said. “So just to see how small, but big, our community is and seeing the support … it’s been really, really nice.”
Iowa expects Woliczko to play a significant role in her first season, alongside the Hawkeyes’ three starting returners from last year. For Jensen, though, the biggest takeaway so far has been the steady growth.
“She’s a heck of a teammate,” Jensen said. “She’s just really soaking it in, and I’m really excited. Her progress is great.”
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