Bjelica greatly enhances Panthers chances

By: Jonathan Ramos / Sports Director

The emergence of Una Trkulja and the promise of Marija Prsa have hid the fact that the Golden Panthers have been missing something very important this season.

That was addressed in the team’s three-set victory over Troy on Oct. 30, when outside hitter Jovana Bjelica made her season debut.

The sophomore, stepping in for Prsa, had a career best 20 kills against the Trojans, giving FIU a mental edge aside from her obvious athletic prowess. Bjelica, one of the elite underclassmen in the nation, is without question one of the best players in the Sun Belt Conference. She has immediately brought a special combination of power and skill to the floor for FIU.

The team has won four straight games since she stepped on the court after she sat out the majority of the season for undisclosed reasons, and has made Natalia Valentin’s life a lot easier.

“Aggressiveness and that passion to play. She plays with heart and she plays to win. She refuses to lose,” Valentin said. “That energy, she passes to everyone. That’s one thing I think she’s really good at. She just plays with the heart and that’s what we need.”

Unfortunately for FIU, Bjelica has been absent while Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee have ran away with the Eastern Divison of the Sun Belt Conference and FIU has just begun to find its footing with a youthful group.

“It was the hardest time in my volleyball career,” Bjelica said of her time on the bench watching her team struggle at times.

Bjelica can ease that down the stretch for FIU with her play.

The Golden Panthers got the first seed in the SBC last season, only to fall in the title game. Riding a five game winning streak and adding Bjelica to the mix, the Golden Panthers will be a tough out for WKU or MTSU when they meet.

Bjelica struggled at times during a five-set win over ULL on Nov. 7, shaking off the rust of her long absence. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t accounted for.

“It’s her experience. It’s her competitive spirit. She’s the go-to player,” FIU head coach Danijela Tomic said. “We know she’s struggling but the other teams have to worry about Jovana. Even if she’s having a bad night, teams have to worry about her. They’re gonna play two blocks on her and key on her, which means other players are gonna be open on our side of the net.”

While Valentin, arguably the best setter in the country, paired up with Yarimar Rosa for three seasons prior to 2010 to form a prolific tandem, the duo overshadowed Bjelica’s outstanding play.

Add Bjelica’s name to the top of the list when discussing who FIU’s most prolific active athletes.

Regardless of the results in the postseason, Bjelica has given the Golden Panthers an enormous boost and will continue to be arguably the best at her position in the conference.