Marquette University Athletics
Q & A With Svetlana Kovalenko
1/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 24, 2008
As the lone senior on the women's basketball team, Svetlana Kovalenko is the leader of the 2007-08 squad. Originally from St. Petersburg Russia, Kovalenko has played basketball in both countries and is fluent in Russian and English. She has started every contest and is currently averaging career highs in both scoring and rebounding. Megan Miller of Athletics Media Relations recently had a chance to sit down and chat with Kovalenko about life, school and Marquette basketball.
For starters, when did you come to the United States?
Svetlana: I came after I finished eighth grade, in March of 2000.
How did you end up living in Michigan?
Svetlana: My dad got a job there. He was getting a degree in Human Research from Michigan Tech.
How did you get started playing basketball?
Svetlana: I started playing when I was about seven or eight. I was at a track meet when I was little and my coach saw that I was lanky and tall and asked me to come to the basketball club and check out the practices. I just kept going from there.
Why did you choose Marquette?
Svetlana: There were a number of reasons. My mom was getting her Ph.D at Michigan Tech and every professor that she talked to told her how good Marquette's academics were and how great they were. When I got to MU, I loved the team. Terri (Mitchell) recruits different types of players. She doesn't stick to one type or profile of player. Everyone on this team has a great personality and they come from different backgrounds. I love that about the team. I've always considered myself different and I was happy to see that here. The staff really cares about the team. It was easy to see that on my visit.
Have you ever played any other sports?
Svetlana: I did track for a very short time. In the States during high school I also played volleyball. It was never a question for me about which sport I wanted to pursue. Volleyball was something that I did for fun and just to try something new. I had been playing basketball since I was eight and only played volleyball for two years.
Is there any one person who has influenced you in basketball the most?
Svetlana: When I was younger, I started playing with about 50 girls at a club and my coach talked to us about the many different coaches that we would have in our lifetimes. She told us that we should take the best thing about each coach and keep that with us. She was right. I've had club coaches, middle school coaches, high school coaches and college coaches; so I just take the best from each one of them and learn and move forward."
This is your first year as a starter- has your mentality changed, or your focus, going into a game knowing that you will be starting?
Svetlana: Starting isn't what changed for me. It's just being the leader of the team and being consistent. Letting the team know they can jump on my back and follow has changed for me. Starting is great, I've started before and have been the sixth man a lot, but I don't think that's the point of my role on the team right now. I'm the leader of this team, even if I come off the bench.
As the only senior with six newcomers has that been a challenge?
Svetlana: I think the biggest thing is there are times when someone needs to be the calming voice on the team and keep everyone's composure. The coaches have done a good job of taking the position players under their wing. One coach takes care of the point guards; one takes care of the shooters. There are a lot of other players on the team that help me out, but personally I think it's important to calm them down, have them take a deep breath and tell them that it will be ok. Our new players work hard and try hard, so that is all that matters.
Are you a vocal leader on the team?
Svetlana: Yeah I am. I have to be. I think even from my past years I've been told that I am a spark off of the bench. That doesn't change. I am still an emotional leader and I am talkative. That's what I do.
Being fluent is Russian; do you ever find yourself speaking it without realizing?
Svetlana: I do. There are three instances where I speak Russian. One of those is in my sleep. I've been told that I speak Russian in my sleep a lot. The second is when I am really mad and I am trying to say something really fast. It will come out in English, Russian, gibberish, no one can understand me usually. The last is when I am really tired. I'll start substituting Russian words for English words subconsciously.
When did you learn English?
Svetlana: I had two years of English when I was in Russia, but that didn't really help me once I got to the U.S. I pretty much just learned from scratch when I got here in March of my eighth grade year. I had the summer before high school to learn it.
Was it a challenging language to learn?
Svetlana: I tried learning Finnish when I was in Russia, and I have completely forgotten everything. That was a difficult language for me. I picked up English in three months. It's hard for me to compare because the learning styles are different, I was thrown in a different country to learn English and Finnish was a classroom setting. Overall, I would say English is a pretty easy language.
Do you go back to Russia ever?
Svetlana: I have gone back twice. I'm averaging on trip about every four years. I went back after my first four years and then went back two years later. My entire family is over there. It is only my mom and I who live in the States.
What do you miss most?
Svetlana: Obviously I miss my family a lot. But I also miss the atmosphere. I'm from St. Petersburg, and I miss that city. I miss the culture and the events that happen there. I have a lot of good memories. If I could have St. Petersburg over here, that would be splendid.
You like to cook Russian food. What does a typical Russian meal that you would cook and eat consist of?
Svetlana: I usually don't cook during the basketball season because I do not have enough time or patience. I just want to eat right away. A typical meal would have three courses and start with soup. I am pretty good at making a few different soups. The second course usually consists of meat and potatoes and I would finish with dessert.
Do you ever make Russian meals for your teammates?
Svetlana: They've tried some of them, but they are very skeptical about it. Last year my roommate Danielle Kamm always liked the food, but that is about it.
How does basketball differ in Russia than in the U.S.?
Svetlana: There are two main differences. The paint line where the post players play is a trapezoid in Russia where it is a rectangle here. I played there for five or six years, but don't remember ever learning how to post-up. They don't emphasize strength or agility; they are all about finesse and getting around taking three steps if necessary. When I got to the U.S. traveling was a big issue for me because we get away with a lot more overseas.
Is basketball a popular sport in Russia?
Svetlana: Soccer is the dominant sport in Russia, but basketball is popular. We don't have sports in school, they are all club sports. You get a fan base for professional teams, but not so much when you're younger. Some friends and parents will come in the stands, but it's not nearly the same as going to a high school game in the states where it is such a big deal.
Do you plan to stay in the U.S., or will you go back to St. Petersburg?
Svetlana: I think I see myself living in the states, but I would like to travel. I wouldn't mind living in a different country for a month or two at a time, but I don't see myself moving permanently to a different country.
If you could pick four other current or past teammates to make a team with you, whom would you choose?
Svetlana: OK, I will start by positions. I would take Christina Quaye as the co-post player with me. She would be a great center for my team and she has been for Marquette. I think with me being a more versatile post-player it would be a good combination inside. As far as outside, I would take Carolyn Keiger at point-guard because that is what she was best at, and I think she was one of the best point-guards to come through this program. I would take Krystal Ellis at two-guard and Danielle Kamm for the other wing. I am biased, she's probably my best friend, but she is also a good player.
You've been to two WNIT's and one NCAA Tournament so far; do you have a favorite memory from either of those experiences, or any other time?
Svetlana: My favorite run was our NIT run my sophomore year (2005-06 season). That was a lot of fun. Some of those games were really intense. It was kind of a disappointment that we didn't get into the NCAA Tournament, but overcoming that and getting to the NIT championship game left a mark on me.
Who has had the most influence on you, either a current or past teammate?
Svetlana: Carolyn Keiger. I've seen her go through a lot of things. I've seen her grow and I've seen her ups and downs. She's an interesting person. Learning from her situations have been valuable to me.
You graduate this year; do you have plans for post-graduation?
Svetlana: I'm in graduate school right now. I am in the DPT (Doctorate of Physical Therapy). I have two more years after I finish this year. Hopefully once I am finished I will get a chance to travel overseas, with or without a job. I think it is a good profession, so I think I will have a lot of options by the time I am done. I am pretty open to change.
In your last year, if you could leave your team with any advice what you that be?
Svetlana: Play hard all of the time and get to the point where every single person in this country respects Marquette and what we can do. Get our team to the point when anytime an opponent steps on the court with us, they know that they are about to be in a dog fight with MU. That's what I wish for this team. I want that kind of reputation for us. If I leave, whatever happens, that's what I want the legacy of this team to be.
