03/04/2021 21:00
Getting to know – Montenegro’s rising star Nevena Vukčević
News from the National Federations
Podgorica, Montenegro, April 3, 2021. Last year, she received the prize for the best Volleyball player in Montenegro. Moreover, she has claimed the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award of the national cup finals for the past three years, most recently last Tuesday, when she scored as many as 32 points to help OK GALEB lift the trophy. At the young age of 18, the pearl of OK GALEB, Nevena Vukčević, is not only an extraordinary talent, but she represents the present and the future of Montenegrin Volleyball as well.
“With much effort, work and desire, I was able to claim the third MVP Cup title. The feeling is wonderful and I am proud. But, both in the league and in the Cup, I would not be able to perform so well without my teammates,” says the great hope of Montenegrin sport.
With the help of their young opposite, OK GALEB are enjoying a great season and after seizing the national cup, they will be fighting for top honours in the national league as well. A double crown would be a real crowning for Nevena as well. “In this very specific situation because of the pandemic, we have been working really well, and the atmosphere after seizing a fourth consecutive trophy in the national cup is great. The adrenaline from the game still keeps us going, which will help us for the remainder of the league. I hope we can secure a second title,” she continues.
After spending a number of years with the youth and junior national teams, Nevena knocked on the door of the senior national team two years ago. There is no doubt that the door will soon open wide for her. “At the age of 13, I became a member of the pioneer national team for the first time. I have gone through all age groups, and with the cadets in 2018, we won gold at the Balkan Championship in Gjakova. Back in 2019, I received an invitation to join the preparations of the senior national team for the Games of the Small States of Europe. I hope that the staff will ask me to join the group ahead of the CEV EuroVolley 2021 qualifiers too. I will do my best to show myself in the best light and get on the shortlist,” Nevena adds.
At the age of 18, Nevena represents the present and future of Montenegrin Volleyball
Nevena’s birthday was on March 11. She is in her final year at the School of Economics in Bar. She wants to become even more involved in sports through her education. “After high school, I would like to study in the Faculty of Physical Education, because I want to become a fitness trainer after I finish my Volleyball career.”
Although still very young, she has been playing Volleyball for a decade already. “I started at the age of eight, thanks to the coach Rajo Šćepanović, who unfortunately passed away, and who taught me physical education in elementary school. I liked it, because it looked like an ideal game for children. After that first training, I knew Volleyball would be my sport,” she recounts.
For her development, great games and successes, Nevena owes much gratitude to the coaches she has worked with and she is still working with, “Coaches Rajo and Rajko Tijanic started making me a real athlete. When I doubted about myself, I had great support from coaches Zlatko Ćaćić and Nikola Masoničić, who always knew how to get the most out of me. Moreover, working with fitness coach Vladan Mihailović helps me be stronger and more prepared for this league, as well as for every next one.”
It seems that leaving her hometown is getting closer. “I love Bar because I was born here, but I would like to live in Belgrade. I plan to continue playing Volleyball and for a start, I would like to go to Serbia and from there to a bigger club abroad. Like any athlete, I will work hard to make my dreams come true.”
Achieving dreams means going down the path of your idols, in life and in sports. “My biggest idol in life is my mother, and in sports Tijana Boskovic. Watching her matches, I learn something new and I try to apply it. I think I am on the right track. I would like to be an idol for someone in the future.”
Nevena portrayed together with her coach Nikola Masoničić after the national cup finals where she claimed the gold medal and the MVP award as well
Trainings and travelling do not allow her too much free time, but she still manages to do what she loves the most: “I use every free moment with family and friends, and sometimes I like to watch a good movie, series and a good game alone.”
Nikola Masoničić is Nevena’s coach in Galeb, but he is the head coach of the women's Volleyball national team of Montenegro too. Therefore, his assessment of Nevena is especially important and meaningful. “In just a few years, Nevena has gone from being a young and promising player to being the best Cup player for three times in a row, as well as the best player in Montenegro for last year. Although very young, she is extremely dedicated and professional and everything that happens to her is the result of her great work ethic. Nevena made her first Volleyball steps with Zlatko Ćaćić, and when she moved to the first team, I tried to upgrade her and make it easier for her to adapt to senior Volleyball. With the undeniable talent she has, Nevena’s biggest asset is her work habits, and if she were a little more self-confident, she would be even better. I sincerely hope that from next season she will move to a stronger league and in that way raise her game to an even higher level,” said Masoničić.
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