Men's U21 World Championship 2023

David Kollator: From goalkeeper to fiery opposite

The young Czech dynamo who turned energy into attacks and aces

Published 01:43, 11 Jul 2023

Czechia recorded their second consecutive win after beating Mexico 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-22) and in the forefront of offence and defence is their opposite David Kollator, who collected 16 points from nine attacks, three blocks and four aces.

“We started really bad,” the young opposite admitted as Czechia suffered two straight losses at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball U21 Men’s World Championship.

“I just came from injury and I was nervous. We are getting better and better, but I think it’s quite late now, but not bad at all because we managed to earn wins.”

Last Sunday, the European team beat the United States in four sets and came up with another win with Kollator on high rotation and showing the way to win against Mexico.

The 20-year-old fired up the offence from beyond the nine-metre line as he and Jiri Benda blasted four aces each against the Mexicans.

“We prepared for that because we knew that reception is Mexico’s weakness. So that was the way we prepared our offence for this match,” he explained.

But for him, his volleyball talent did not just come to him, but acquired it as he played a different sport as a kid.

“I started with football. I was a goalkeeper and I think football was not for me. I was seven years old and had a lot of energy that I just wanted to hit the ball. Just hit the ball or punch something,” Kollator shared.

“I was really aggressive in those days, and I needed something to calm myself down. And this might be reason why I am in volleyball right now.”

Well, that’s not a bad reason at all as he puts all that energy into good use now – a dynamo turning energy into strong attacks and aces.