Nikoleta Perović, a seasoned player of the Montenegrin national volleyball team, is truly a volleyball “globetrotter.” Since departing from the Port of Bar in 2014, she has traversed nine countries and played for 12 clubs, amassing trophies and accolades across multiple continents.

Her journey has taken her from Norway to Romania, Hungary, Germany, and Turkey, then on to China and Indonesia—where she has visited twice each—before concluding with experiences in Greece and Italy. Notably, she even participated in the inaugural season of the professional women’s volleyball league in the United States.

This summer, she made her return to Turkey, joining Ted Ankara Kolejliler, the same team she represented from 2021 to 2022. Has she come “full circle” or not quite yet?

– This is probably the first team and country where I don’t feel like a foreigner. I didn’t have to undergo any adaptation period. It feels like coming home; everything is familiar, even though most of the players have changed. However, the president, assistant coach, and team manager remain the same… familiar faces, and I feel like one of my own – Nikoleta Perović told the official website of the Volleyball Federation of Montenegro.

She enjoys challenges and exploring new cultures.

– Everyone tells me that my last year was “crazy.” I was in China, then back in Montenegro, and finally in America—all in one season. It was an incredible adventure, but also quite demanding.

Perhaps one day she will pen a travelogue, at least reflecting on the moments when she’s not on the court, during matches or training, or when she’s not traveling or in quarantine…

Nevertheless, the majority of her day is devoted to volleyball, and Nikoleta lives a professional life in America, China, and Indonesia.

– Volleyball has allowed me to achieve so much in my life. I always say it’s an education that can’t be purchased. Navigating both beautiful and challenging moments throughout my sports career enables rapid personal growth; the constant struggle with myself and my opponents, among a thousand other things, is incredibly beneficial. And you can earn good money; some say it’s the perfect life. Of course, there’s another side to it; many sacrifices are required, I’m alone far from home, traveling the world. But having grown up in a sports family, I was aware of what lay ahead, and I made this choice consciously – she emphasizes.

Among all her destinations, she holds Italy in high regard, as it wasn’t far from her home—just the Adriatic Sea separated her from her native Bar while playing for San Giovanni Margherita in the 2022/23 season.

– Life in Italy was fantastic, especially with volleyball being a major focus there. Their expertise in areas such as nutrition and overall functioning illustrates a perfect synergy. In Italy, nothing was lacking; it was an ideal season.

She has visited China and Indonesia twice each, and this marks her second time in Turkey.

– China is vastly different; what makes sense here doesn’t make sense there, and vice versa. It was an invaluable experience, and I would have regretted not going, even though my second visit was to a completely different city. Indonesia was similar; my first visit there was cut short by the pandemic, while on my second visit, I helped the club win a title after a 15-year wait—a moment unlike any I’ve experienced elsewhere. I believe they’re still celebrating, even three and a half years later – Nikoleta smiles.

Currently, she is based in Ankara, competing with Ted Koellier to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Turkish championship.

– We’ve encountered some challenges, including unfortunate setbacks and injuries, so now not everything rests in our hands. But we continue to hold hope. Ankara suits me; while it’s a bustling business city, it has numerous shopping malls and parks, which I really appreciate, along with an old part of the city that reminds me of my Stari Bar.

Her adventure in America, playing for the Columbus team in Ohio, was particularly memorable.

– It was a brief but fascinating experience. As it was the first season of the newly established women’s professional league, everything was still being ironed out, leading to many initial mistakes. The typical American setup involves extensive travel, crossing multiple countries and time zones, a heavy game schedule with minimal training—much like the NBA. I felt as if I were perpetually flying. It wasn’t quite to my liking, but it’s the American style, and I’m confident it will improve. They’ve already established a second league and will be introducing a third. Once America commits to something, it tends to yield positive outcomes.

After missing out on last year’s national team activities due to injury and fatigue, Nikoleta is now primed to return, eager to fulfill a lifelong professional dream.

– I’ve always envisioned qualifying for a major competition with Montenegro. We’ve often been on the verge, just missing that little extra spark due to challenging groups. Nevertheless, I’ve always believed it would eventually happen and now we stand very close. If we succeed, I couldn’t be happier.

According to Nikoleta, the arrival of new coach Jovo Caković is timely.

– We have many young and talented players to nurture, and he is an outstanding professional, which is a significant achievement. Before the qualification phase wraps up, we also have the Golden League to look forward to, which promises to be an enriching experience. Kudos to our Volleyball Federation – Nikoleta Perović concluded.