It’s no surprise that Anastasia Danilova skirted off at the end of our half-hour interview to go and play-what else-volleyball. After all, the sport has meant more than just evening practices and weekend games. It’s grounded her, given her perspective-an anchor and sense of place she is forever grateful for.
“This year here has been the best year of my life,” said the six-foot Danilova and second-year physics major. “I sort of found myself.”
This may be a surprising pronouncement from someone as young as Danilova, who is only 18. Most people that age are in a period of partying and barstool philosophizing, still searching for a sense of self. Somehow, Danilova, who recently moved to Toronto from her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, has managed to emerge from that self-inspection to grab a hold of what matters.
“I really realized what is important for me. Before I couldn’t imagine how something could be so important to somebody’s life.”
One of the most physically gifted volleyball players in the country (national coaches can’t wait until she gets her Canadian citizenship), and a constant threat for the Blues, Danilova walked away with Rookie of the Year honours at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) nationals in Saskatoon several weeks ago-the first Blue to ever do so. In her characteristic shy manner and broken English, she’s quick to shun the limelight.
“It’s nice to get something like this,” she said, “but it’s not only my playing. I couldn’t get it without the team. I thank the team and [coach Kristine Drakich] for their work. It’s just not me.”
There is no doubt, however, that Danilova’s stellar performance was a big part of pushing the Blues to a 16-1 record and a fourth-straight Ontario University Association (OUA) championship. Her uncanny timing and devastating strikes usually make her the top scorer on court. Opponents have dubbed her the “Russian Sensation.”
Her cheeks turn rosy when reminded of this. “It’s funny,” she says. She may be shy but she carries a big stick.
It seems Danilova has a habit of making opponents weary. Before leaving Russia for Canada last July, she was a regular at local volleyball clubs. Starting her athletic career at age eight, Danilova spent the time between age 10 and 16 at the Riga Volleyball High School in Latvia. Even then, her height pushed her to play against older players. Again, Danilova recoils quietly when asked if she was one of the better ones.
“Well, I think I was pretty good,” she says in a rare instance of braggadocio. It hasn’t always been easy. Replanting roots in another country brings with it the challenges of a new language and a fresh disorientation.
“There was a bit of transition for her,” recalls coach Drakich. “A new language, a new school, a new everything. She was always a strong player, but it wasn’t always consistently demonstrated. As the season went on her play became more and more consistent.”
Danilova attributes the successful transition to Drakich. “She’s a great coach. You don’t even realize how much she does for you. She made a great difference in my life.”
With her guidance, Danilova yielded dividends by focusing on the task at hand. “In the beginning I could hit and set and play defense. The main thing that changed is the mental thing; how you understand the game, how you feel the game. We’re all good players technically. But the mental aspect is really important-the most important thing.”
A bright future with the Blues awaits her. Although starters Katie Bickerton, Suzana Majcen, and Carrie Schram are graduating, Danilova has four years left of eligibility, and quite possibly, a bigger role to play.
“There will be things that just develop with getting more mature and getting more comfortable with this environment,” said Drakich. “It will be exciting to see.” There is no question Danilova will fulfill that prediction.
