The top Montenegrin volleyball athletes are gearing up for the next phase of the CEV Golden League, the premier national team competition they have participated in to date.

Facing formidable opponents like Spain and Ukraine in Podgorica (where they encountered losses of 3:0 and 3:1), as well as facing Azerbaijan and host Slovakia in Bratislava (today and tomorrow), followed by Hungary and Portugal in the coming weekend – all these represent tough challenges from the elite of European volleyball.

This is an opportunity for growth and learning, emphasizing the idea of gaining “lessons, not defeats,” as reiterated by the new head coach Jovo Caković.

The team has been together for nearly a month, with May and June being fully dedicated to national duties.

“With the new coach and coaching staff, there are certainly numerous changes. Coach Jovo Caković is known for his dedication and hard work, which we are experiencing firsthand. We have intense training sessions almost daily, and while it’s a lot, we are adapting well. Most of us are longtime acquaintances, but this selection has seen a young infusion compared to previous years,” says Teodora Čavić, the national team’s receiver, in an interview with Odbojka.me.

The match against Spain marked the first outing for the new team under a fresh coaching regime, presenting a strong opponent and new circumstances. Naturally, the Montenegrin players felt a bit overwhelmed.

“Spain was the inaugural game with this squad, without any prior friendly matches. I believe we could have performed better. However, we showcased progress against Ukraine, where we managed to put up a robust fight against a significantly stronger team, which indicates our quality; we simply need more practice,” Teodora shares.

Teodora emphasizes that it’s a journey of maturation.

“Being part of the team during the Golden League is a privilege. It presents a new level of challenge and is crucial for our development, as we compete against players of higher caliber, which will undoubtedly inspire both collective and individual improvements. We anticipate good matches and expect to demonstrate our growth at the tournament in Slovakia. This serves as a prelude to our preparations for the upcoming qualifiers. In August, we have a significant opportunity to qualify for the European Championship for the very first time, and I remain optimistic that we will meet expectations,” Teodora states.

Volleyball player Luka Bar joined the national team following a dramatic club season, where her team lost out on first place to Buducnost after an extended period of dominance.

“The series was outstanding; Buducnost displayed better character and rightly earned their spot in the finals. We deeply missed Dijana Vuković due to her unfortunate injury. Buducnost capitalized on that, and the girls rightfully claimed victory,” she reflects.

Hailing from a volleyball stronghold, it’s almost a given that girls gravitate towards this sport.

“For me, volleyball seemed like the only option. Back then, as it is now, it was viewed as the most popular women’s sport, leaving no room for debate,” remarks 25-year-old Teodora.

However, her aspirations go beyond volleyball. She serves as an inspiring example for others, illustrating that one can pursue multiple paths.

“Alongside volleyball, I am studying dentistry. My primary goal is to complete my degree, but I remain dedicated to volleyball and hope to eventually venture outside of Montenegro—perhaps into a stronger league,” Teodora concludes.

Perhaps the matches in the Golden League will help raise her profile, enabling someone to take notice.

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