Jen Mikolajek is a Dec. scholar athlete

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - December's scholar athlete is a volleyball and softball standout at Cheektowga Central. Thanks to her love of math, Jen Mikolajek has all the angles covered - on the court, the diamond and in the classroom.

"I love softball because it's more of an individual sport and you have to set yourself individual goals. But for volleyball, it's more of a team sport and the bonding with you and your teammates. It's just a lot more fun to have more of a team effort towards winning the game," said Mikolajek.

Cheektowaga volleyball coach Allison James said, "She excels at many of the skills involved in volleyball. She was a leader for the past four years on our varsity volleyball team in many of the categories. This year, she led our team in every statistic. She's just a well rounded athlete in volleyball and softball."

Mikolajek added, "I balance sports and academics at the same time. It does get really hard at some times. I love to do it because I love both school and sport. And I work outside of that. Math is fun because there are challenges you have to overcome and learn the steps to get to the right answer. I love it because when you get that right answer the feeling you get is your proud of yourself. It's fun."

Cheektowaga math teacher Sunny Leeper said, "She's an amazing girl. She is reliable, she likes to do her stuff independently and knows what to do. When she needs help, she seeks out so she is eager to learn."

"I believe Jen is the type of student athlete that many things comes easy because she sets herself up for success. She's very well organized. She has a good head on her shoulders with a very good support group at home. So she does balance many things well including volleyball, band, music, her academics and her work outside of school," added James.

Mikolajek will attend UB next year, where she'll major in engineering. She's also hoping to play softball.