Melanie Lesniakowski



Projects by Melanie Lesniakowski

Journalism Story

A Journey of Perseverance: IU Club Volleyball Aims for the National Championship

 

Media Contacts
Carolyn Saban
Madi Graves
Melanie Lesniakowski

BLOOMINGTON, IND (Apr. 3, 2025)

The Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball team is gearing up for the event of the season- the National Club Volleyball Federation tournament in Phoenix, Arizona. The team, marked by their hard work and dedication for the season, is preparing to represent Indiana nationally, and the excitement is palpable. In an exclusive interview, we sat down with several team members to get a closer look at their preparation process, the challenges they’ve faced, and what they’re most looking forward to at nationals. 

The IU Women’s Club Volleyball team has been building momentum all season, and their performance has earned them a spot at this year’s national competition. Having been ranked second in their division in a recent National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Poll, the expectations are high and the excitement is electrifying. The team, made up of students from various backgrounds, studies, and grade levels, balances academics and their social lives to pursue their shared passion for volleyball.

“We’re really excited to go to nationals for the tournament, especially since we didn’t get to go last year,” said senior Katie Kirkendol. “We’re excited to show out and we’ve had a really good season so far so it’s going to be exciting to continue that and just, of course, working hard and trying to come together at practice.”

Katie posing for the camera
Sixth-year senior and team captain Katie Kirkendol brings invaluable experience to the court as the only player with prior Nationals experience. Returning this semester to compete in Phoenix, she provides leadership and insight to help guide her team on the national stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirkendol, who has been playing club volleyball for four years, spoke about how special this particular tournament is for her as a graduating senior. “This one will be a lot more bittersweet and probably really sad compared to my other nationals trips,” Kirkendol shared. “I’ve been playing club volleyball now for four years, and also just volleyball in general. I’ll never be done with volleyball, but I’ll be done being a player so I think it’ll be really bittersweet and sad, but I’m excited to go out with this group of girls.”

To make it to nationals, the IU Women’s Club Volleyball team had to earn their spot through competing in regional tournaments and maintaining a high level of focus throughout the season. Their training regimen is intense and requires commitment, discipline, and perseverance from all team members. 

Amelia posing for picture
Sophomore Indiana Club Volleyball Captain Amelia Weier leads by example, balancing the demands of managing her team while refining her skills. She emphasizes the importance of communication, teamwork, and perseverance in fostering a strong and cohesive team.

“While just this team from this semester is going to nationals, I feel like we’ve been preparing all year, using the previous tournaments and practices from the entire year.” said sophomore Amelia Weier. “I’d say that a time where our team’s resilience was tested was in our first tournament this semester at Purdue University, where we faced some teams that we had played in previous semesters. [We] really had to rise to the challenge to beat them and increase our rank for nationals.”

The pressures surrounding a national tournament can be overwhelming, and while winning the tournament would be the goal, we spoke to Weier about what success would mean for her. “I think that as a team we really like to be successful by winning and going far in the tournament, but success for myself would just include knowing that I played really well and feeling good about the performance that we put out.”

Much of the team’s success can be attributed to their close relationships and camaraderie with one another. “I’d say I work really hard to collaborate with the other members of the team.” Weier continued. “We work together often times to decide drills and kind of alter them as we go throughout practice. I’m able to still improve my own skills while also collaborating with the other members of the team and helping to improve all of us.”

As the IU Women’s Club Volleyball team prepares to head to nationals, the excitement is building, and so is their confidence. With hard work, dedication, and a deep sense of team camaraderie, the team is prepared to leave it all on the court. For these athletes, the national tournament is not just a chance to compete- it’s an opportunity to showcase their growth and resilience, and most importantly, their shared love for the game of volleyball. 

The Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball team competes at the national tournament on the weekend of April 17th-19th in Phoenix, Arizona. We look forward to seeing them represent IU and show off their hard work. 

Indiana University’s Womens Club Volleyball members Amelia Weier and Katie Kirkendol discuss how their team is getting ready for Nationals.

###

Public Relations Story

Apple Introduces New and Innovative Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Mackenzie Ball (macball@iu.edu)
Lucas Hernandez (lucherna@iu.edu)
Melanie Lesniakowski (mlesnia@iu.edu)

Apple introduces new and innovative technology

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) – Tim Cook announced the release of the Apple Watch today at a press event. They were giving a speech about Apple and their products when all of a sudden on the big screen there were the words “one more thing…” displayed for the crowd.

This Apple Watch is a new, everyday, useful product. Not only is the Apple Watch new but it is also incredibly innovative. The Apple Watch allows you to communicate with whoever you may need quite literally right from your wrist.

Mike, IU Faculty member, checks his wrist as he receives a notification bell. Apple watch allows users to check and respond to text messages at ease.

Now, this Apple Watch is not like any other digital watches we have ever seen before. The Apple Watch is supposed to be the next best watch in the world. It is a great new technology tool that you can wear all day long and for any occasion that you might need. 

The Apple Watch is a touch screen watch that has any and all of the same features that are on the iPhone. You can call, text, or email someone. If you need to send a text to someone, it delivers it in 50 milliseconds. You also have a calculator app on the Watch, that is so convenient. There is no need to whip out your iPhone when you need to set an alarm or even set a timer because you can do that from your apps on your new Apple Watch. 

Also, on top of this Apple Watch being your new personal communication device and fashion accessory, it can be used for fitness as well. The Apple Watch has a comprehensive health and fitness design so that you can track your daily habits. Some of those health habits are the three circles you are encouraged to close by the end of your day. Those circles are your standing goal, your exercise goal and your move goal. 

This Apple Watch is not like any watches we have seen before. It is easy to use because Apple created a crown on the side of the Watch that allows you to navigate all over the screen without blocking your view. That crown button on the side is also able to be used to get back to your homescreen on the watch. Another part of the Apple Watch that makes it uncomplicated to use is the charger. “The back crystal also houses a unique charging solution that combines our MagSafe technology with inductive charging,” according to the Apple Watch Introduction video. In other words, the charger for the Apple Watch uses a normal block to be put into an outlet but then on the end of the cord, there is a magnetic circle that allows you to place the back of your watch on. When the back of the Apple Watch is close to the front of the charger it automatically connects and forms a tight seal.  

Lia, IU Student, customizes her newly purchased Apple Watch. The innovative watch allows you to personalize the interface to your liking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Apple Watch is such an innovative addition to Apple products. It is so original and well created that the watch literally “senses that you’re raising your wrist and then activates the display,” said Tim Cook. The Watch is so high-tech and is so easy to use. Apple made sure that the “navigation is fluid and vital,” said Cook. 

It is a fully customizable watch and “is the most personal device we’ve ever created,” said Cook. This new watch is supposed to be the most incredible and innovative watch in the entire world. This Apple Watch is so unique due to its functionality being so incredible. You can quite literally change the watch bands for any occasion that you might need. It is very accessible for any and all generations to use. 

This groundbreaking product should definitely be one of your next purchases. You will end up loving the Apple Watch and using it everyday. You may never look back once you do.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, discussing how versatile the Apple Watch is. And Kevin Lynch, Apple’s Software Developer, shows a live demonstration of the Apple Watch being used.

###