Bjelica steps up as an offensive weapon this season

By: Eduardo Almaguer / Staff Writer

When you walk into volleyball practice, several things are going to catch your eye. The first will be an ocean of about 75 volleyballs strewn all around the arena. The second will probably be 6-foot-3 setter Renele Forde, the tallest player on the team.  The last thing, however, you are bound to hear first rather than see.

Small explosions followed by volleyballs cutting through the air at violent speeds will demand your attention almost immediately. Jovana Bjelica, junior outside hitter for the Panthers, is the one responsible for these vicious, round missiles. The speed at which the ball leaves her hand is almost abnormal.

There is one thing, however, that has more velocity than her spiked balls: her reputation.  Bjelica is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous players in the conference and a vital component in propelling her team toward a Sun Belt Championship.

Head Coach Danijela Tomic wants Bjelica to take charge much like a certain FIU great did just a few years ago.

“She’s our go-to player. I told her that we need her to step up and be Yari this year,” said Tomic. “That’s the mentality I want her to have.”

Tomic speaks of none other than four-time All-American Yarimar Rosa. Rosa’s stint with the Panthers from 2006 to 2009 led her to be FIU’s all-time kills per set leader with a 5.38 mark. She is having her jersey number retired in the Panthers’ Sept. 30 home game against Western Kentucky.

Despite her remarkable early season success, Bjelica knows there is always something she can improve to better her team.

“My goal is to be to be a leader for this season and to be an example to everyone else,” said Bjelica.

To the average fan, watching Bjelica play and bowl over opposing players with her ferocious spikes will leave him or her convinced that she is at the top of her game. And in all honesty, it is hard to argue against that point of view.

In only 11 games, Bjelica has already set single game career highs in kills and service aces this season.  She has tied her block and block assists record as well.

She has also been tremendously crucial in helping the team pull through with victories that seemed almost impossible.

In their most recent victory against UCF, the Panthers were one point away from losing in the final set, down 14-11. Senior Andrea Lakovic credits Bjelica with performing exceptionally well to help turn the tables and eventually win.

“There were so many moments where I would just jump on the court and say, ‘You’re my hero,’” said Lakovic with a smile. “She actually saved the game. We all contributed to winning, but she had the biggest part in it.”

But while that average fan thinks Bjelica cannot get any better, her teammates and coach think quite the opposite.

“I know that she can do a lot,” said Lakovic. “This is not her best. She can prove much more and she’s going to get there.”

As deft as she is with a ball on her fingertips, Bjelica is even better at refusing to rest on her laurels. Even with a tournament MVP, an SBC pre-season honor nomination and a player of the week award, she thinks she has not even scratched the surface of her potential.

If that is the case, the rest of the Sun Belt Conference better find some shelter soon because those round missiles she launches are going to tear through anything standing in her way of winning a championship for the team.