There’s a certain phrase you may hear at the Patriot League volleyball tournament this weekend at American.
“Kape topin lart.”
Huh? Swing high.
It’s encouragement offered frequently by Qemal Sukaj, father of American sophomore outside hitter Rubena Sukaj, an Albanian import and virtual lock to earn Patriot League player of the year honors.
Rubena has led the top-seeded Eagles (23-6) to 17 straight wins, including American’s fifth undefeated season in conference play (14-0). They’re aiming for a sixth straight Patriot League title and NCAA tournament bid starting Friday.
“My dad has always followed me,” said Rubena. “In my country, he never missed a practice and never missed a game. Here, life is different because you have to work more so he tries to be at every home game.”
When Rubena moved to the United States two years ago to play volleyball, her family came, too, having won an immigration lottery visa.
“It was a good opportunity to come together because at the same time I had offers to go to France and Italy,” said Rubena. “I picked America because it was good for academics. It was D.C., and my family was with me.”
Her mother, Zana, a linguistics professor in the Albania capital of Tirana, now works at a Montessori school and tutors students at American in Italian and Russian. Her father works at a local CVS “because he doesn’t speak English very well,” said Rubena.
Rubena said her adjustment to America wasn’t difficult. But having played volleyball year-round at home — she’s a starter on the Albanian national team — she struggled to understand how a team could play three games a week during the fall but hardly practice during the offseason.
“Only 30 minutes on the court allowed,” said Rubena. “That was the hardest thing for me to get used to.”
Rubena is currently third in the nation in aces (0.73 per game) and 11th in kills (5.08 per game). With some improvement in her back row play, the Albanian could become an All-American.
“Hopefully in the next year or two, if she can really take a jump in some of those areas,” said American coach Barry Goldberg. “She possibly can lead our team to some serious national prominence.”
Patriot League Volleyball Tournament
» Friday at American University: American (23-6) vs. Lafayette (18-9), 6 p.m.; Army (21-7) vs. Bucknell (19-11), 8
» Sukaj and American junior middle blocker Chelsea Brooks were both named All-Patriot League.
» The Eagles have compiled an 83-1 record in Patriot League regular season matches, with their only loss coming against Army in 2005.
