The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Mika Grbavica
Feature
Croatia’s women’s national team has been improving their performances in the last years, and building on their strengths, counting on a good generation of players, are considered to be a team with a great potential. The good news for their supporters is that the younger players also call the attention, and give hope for a further development.
Such is the case of opposite Mika Grbavica. 20-years-old, Mika turned out to be the trump card of Croatia in important matches of the 2022 Golden #EuroLeagueW, and is already looking forward to helping the team in the upcoming challenges - the FIVB Challenger Cup, the #EuroVolleyW Qualifiers and the World Championship.
Standing at 191 cm tall, Grbavica, who was a player of HAOK Mladost Zagreb, reaching a semi-final in #CEVCupW in 2022, just signed her first international contract, and from the next season, will be learning and improving her Volleyball skills in Germany- playing for the team of Dresdner SC 1989.
Keep an eye on her as she might very well be The Next Big Thing in Volleyball!
The Beginning
For as long as she remembers, Mika has been on the Volleyball courts. She has been practicing the sports since the young age of four, when she first had gone to a training with her mother. It makes perfect sense, as her mother is actually her first Volleyball coach.
I have started playing Volleyball at a very young age. I was only four when I started going to Volleyball practice with my mum, who is a volleyball coach,” Mika says.
Going Pro
Grbavica has fallen immediately in love with the game, as she, herself, points out.
Mika Grbavica“I fell in love with the game since the very beginning. It wasn't long before I knew Volleyball was the only future I could imagine for myself.”
And so she puts all her efforts on developing as a player.
The National Team
In June, Croatia made it to the Semifinals of the Golden #EuroLeagueW, but there, they faced the tough opponent of France, who did not leave them any chances to proceeding ahead. Despite the missed chance to reveal their true potential, Croatia could praise the overall performance of Mika, who finished as top scorer for her team in the competition this year- Grbavica played in four fixtures (15 sets) and hammered 54 points (3.6 points/average per set).
Mika Grbavica“Even though I am sad that we did not accomplish the goals we had set, I am also very pleased that I had the opportunity to take part in such a quality competition, and to give my all to my team.”
Mika will have the chance to do it again, as the Volleyball summer is not over for team Croatia. In the end of July, Grbavica and her teammates will have the chance to fight on a home soil for a much coveted ticket to the women’s elite - as the FIVB Challenger Cup is taking place in Zadar, and the winner will join the VNL in 2023.
"We have a very busy summer, with many competitions. Our next goal is first the VNL ticket, then to #EuroVolleyW Qualifiers, and, of course, to give our best at the World Championship.”
First transfer abroad - Dresdner SC 1989
In season 2021/2022, Mika and her team by then - HAOK Mlaodst Zagreb, reached the semi-finals of the #CEVCupW, but now, after the season with the national team, Mika will have another new challenge in her career. She just made her first transfer abroad, joining the team of Dresdner SC 1989. Germany will give her for sure a lot of new experiences, and the Croatian international is ready to enjoy them.
Mika Grbavica“I am more than excited about my first transfer abroad! Dresdner SC 1989 is a big club with an excellent reputation, and I can't wait to start working with the team and coach Alex Waibl. My goals there are to forge ahead in my development as a player, so I can deliver my absolute best to my new team.”
The Inspiration
Mika is following her own path and even though she has appreciation for the biggest names of today’s Volleyball, she doesn’t have a Volleyball idol, as she finds inspiration in other places.
“Strange as it may sound, I don't really have a Volleyball role model. But what fuels my passion and inspires me, is the happiness and satisfaction that comes from achieving good results following hard work and sacrifice.”
The Dream
Aiming for the Top, Grbavica has her own philosophy, enjoying the journey.
Mika Grbavica“I am already living my biggest Volleyball dream, because I aim for the top and have so far enjoyed the journey.”