Senior men's volleyball student-athlete David Wieczorek recently reached two career milestones including his 1,000th career kill and 100th career service ace, and even more recently was named the MPSF and National Player of the Week. We asked him about what these achievements mean to him, what has made him so successful, and his goals for the rest of his career:
 
Q: You recently hit a few career milestones, including your 1,000th career kill. What's it like to be the 19th Wave to achieve this?
 
A: It's pretty cool. I think to reach that milestone and have so many legends reach it before me is pretty sweet. It's a big deal to have my name up there with them. It's awesome and kind of like a dream come true. I always wanted to do something like that in my time here, so it's surreal.
 
Q: You also got your 100th career service ace, making you the ninth Wave to do so. What was it like reaching your 1,000th kill and 100th ace during the same game?
 
A: It's kind of cool that they lined up like that. It just happened to be fate. It's just a dream come true to be up there and get that recognition. I owe it to everybody upstairs: Dave Hunt, Marv Dunphy and all my coaches.
 
Q: What does reaching these two milestones mean for the rest of the season and the rest of your career?
 
A: For the rest of my career, now it's about adding to them. I always joke around like, "Hey, when's 2,000 coming?" I think I'm more focused on the NCAA Championships and winning that as opposed to personal stuff. I think it's more of a team mindset as opposed to that.
 
Q: Then, you earned both MPSF and National Player of the Week awards. What was your reaction to those matches and winning these honors?

A: Winning both matches was an amazing way to start off MPSF play. I thought we played well and competed hard. Both BYU and Stanford are good teams, and to be able to beat both teams in three sets was awesome. It is such a great feeling and it was fun to do with a great group of guys. My grandmother actually passed away Friday morning, so it was very special to get the win against Stanford. I think we are all proud of how we played but ready for our next match. As for the awards, it's awesome to be recognized. It is cool to be rewarded for working hard, training hard and competing my hardest every time out on the court. I couldn't do it without my coaches, teammates, family and support system. They all push me and make it possible to get these things. I couldn't do it without them and am very thankful. 
 
Q: You're going down as one of the most prolific Waves in Pepperdine history. What does it mean to be in the same group as all of the greats that have come through this school?
 
A: It's awesome. I'm really humbled, and I keep coming back to a dream come true. Ever since seventh grade, it was my dream to come here and play for Marv and Pepperdine. It really is a dream to be able to actually come here and compete and play at a school where legends and Olympians come through. To have my name mentioned with some of the greats, Sean Rooney, George Roumain, all those guys who have played before me, seventh grade me is so excited. It's one thing I've always wanted to do in this world so I'm pretty proud I did it.
 
Q: What goes through your mind when you get ready to serve?
 
A: Not too much actually. It's kind of a "let it rip" attitude. I go through my routine. I walk back and I take my steps. I'm more focused on my routine and how I'm going to hit my toss as opposed to anything else. I kind of just dial in.
 
Q: What do you see when you go up for an attack?
 
A: The first thing I look at is set location, so where the set is. Then based on that, I see who's blocking me, where they're lined up and if there are any holes. It's very visual. It's just seeing where the blockers are when I'm up there.
 
Q: What about you has made you so successful?
 
A: My dad always says I'm determined. I think determination is a huge part of who I am. When I came in here, I certainly wasn't the best. I think a big part about me is determination and the hard work. I just put my head down and go to work. Over the past five years now, I've really been grinding, putting in the work, and I've been determined to be one of the best volleyball players I can be and compete at a very high level.
 
Q: What goals do you have for the rest of your career?
 
A: At Pepperdine, I want to compete and win the MPSF, and then win a national championship. Those are definitely the team goals. Definitely a personal goal as well, and it'd be awesome to end on that note. We haven't won for 13 or 14 years so hopefully we'll bring one back. As for after Pepperdine, I want to go play pro, but I'm not sure where. Poland or Italy would be cool. Then I'd like to go to the Olympics. I'm with the United States team now over the summer, so I think I'll play pro for as long as I can and then play at the Olympics one day. Pretty much just keep playing.