Player of the Week
Each week of the spring and fall seasons, one player who was originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for an exceptional performance.
November 13, 2023: Iva Popović
New Mexico Junior College.
NJCAA Division I.
Western Jr. College Athletic Conference.
Sophomore, 5'10" Outside Hitter.
First reported by AVSR Global in 2020.
NJCAA All-America First Team (2022).
Home: Serbia/Kosovo.
See Popović’s bio at the NMJC website.
Latest Action:
• Popović powered New Mexico into this week’s NJCAA Division I Championship tourney. It’s NMJC’s first year to reach the finals.
• Popović is the Thunderbirds’ top hitter, receiver, defender and server.
• Last season Popović was named to the NJCAA Division I All-America First Team. Only two freshman were among the 12 players selected.
• Through two seasons Popović has led New Mexico with 4.12 kills per set and 3.15 digs per set while hitting at .267 efficiency.
• Popović has lifted NMJC into the NJCAA Championship finals in just the fourth season the college has fielded a volleyball team.
• NMJC launched its volleyball team in 2019, posting a 17-18 record. It skipped the 2020-21 pandemic year. This year’s team is 29-6.
• Popović took up volleyball at age 8 in her home of Leposavić, Kosovo. She moved at age 14 to Belgrade, Serbia, to join the OK Roda club.
Excerpt from 2020 AVSR Global report:
“A complete, elite player ready to go at six rotations in the top third of Division I. … Fast and dynamic. She’s a robust, versatile player. … Swing is high and fast. … Her tenacity as a competitor is special.”