For the past fifteen years, Danijela Džaković has proudly donned the jersey of the Montenegrin national volleyball team.

She made her debut with Rudar in the First League at the astonishing age of 11, which was only possible with special permission, as reported by odbojka.me.

Since transferring to Jedinstvo from Užice in 2013, she has played for ten different foreign clubs across seven countries, including stints in Turkey, Slovenia, Romania, Italy, Poland, and the Philippines. Currently, she is competing in Azerbaijan with Mili Aviasia Akademijasija in Baku.

At the age of 30, Danijela is a beacon of hope for her team as they strive for a spot in the European Championship, serving as a role model for younger players.

In a nutshell, the beloved Daca has become a volleyball legend in Montenegro.

However, her path could have taken a different direction. She was initially seen, as she puts it, as being “meant” for handball.

“Everyone around me, including family, friends, and the club director, envisioned me in handball, especially noticing my left-handedness. I, however, replied – no, thank you,” Danijela Džaković recalls.

“My passion for volleyball and the elegance it provides ultimately won me over. If you’re able to outperform your opponent through technique and cunning, that’s what draws me in. Not through rudeness or anything of the sort, and I certainly respect handball and all sports.”

Volleyball has been a life-changing experience for her.

“It has given me so much and continues to do so. I engage in what I love, which fulfills me; I travel, meet diverse people, learn languages, and explore cultures…”

This summer, she hopes to realize her sporting dream…

“It’s not just my dream, but also the dream of many older girls who have since left the national team. We often discuss it. It’s a dream shared across generations,” Daca emphasizes.

Montenegro is on the brink of securing a spot in the European Championship for the first time, with results expected in August.

“We have an incredible opportunity for historic success, and we must not let it slip away. Our current situation is quite favorable, complemented by the immense potential within our team, especially among the younger players, along with an outstanding coach.”

Danijela has known Jovo Caković for many years.

“He’s from Prijepolje, and I’m from Pljevlja—we’re close, and I’ve known him for a very long time. He even wanted to recruit me when I was younger. I recognize his coaching abilities, and his presence is a tremendous asset for our volleyball community.”

After being the top scorer in the Silver League two years ago, Danijela will sit out the May games in the Golden League by mutual agreement with the coaching staff, but she will return in August for the final qualifying round.

In the meantime, she aims to secure the championship in Azerbaijan, where she shines on the court for Mili Aviasije Akademijasije—translated as the National Aviation Academy.

“We are currently second in the standings and are in a position to reach the finals. I hope we possess both the skill and luck necessary to win the trophy.”

Having been in Azerbaijan for six months, her experience began on a challenging note—an injury that sidelined her for a while.

“I sustained an injury during my first match, breaking a bone in my foot. It was certainly not an ideal scenario—brought in as a leader, being compensated, only to get injured and have to take a two-month hiatus. Honestly, I played through three more matches while on injections, unaware that my bone was fractured. However, they were understanding; this is a supportive sporting environment, and I wasn’t rushed back. I only played when I was fully healed, and now things are progressing well for both the team and myself.”

Azerbaijan, along with Turkey, is where volleyball truly thrives.

“Out of all the countries I’ve visited, I would choose Italy for living, but for volleyball, Azerbaijan and Turkey stand out. Baku, beyond its professional allure, is fantastic—often compared to a smaller Istanbul or Dubai, with great restaurants and affordability. I’ve even gotten used to the winds here; it does get quite breezy,” Danijela Džaković concludes with a smile.

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