Player of the Week: October 24, 2022

Each week of the spring and fall seasons, one player who was originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for an exceptional performance.

Fall Week #6: Iva Popović

New Mexico Junior College.

NJCAA Division I.

Western Jr. College Athletic Conference.

Freshman, 5'10" Outside Hitter.

First reported by AVSR Global in 2020.

Home: Serbia/Kosovo.

See Popović’s bio at the NMJC website.

Latest Action:

• Popović has powered New Mexico into the top 10 of NJCAA Division I in just the third year that the school has fielded a volleyball team.
• Popović ranks third nationally in hitting, averaging 4.4 kills per set. She ranks fourth in total kills, points per set and total points.
• New Mexico leads the WJCAC with a 10-2 league record, 22-6 overall. The Thunderbirds stand at No. 10 in the latest national poll.
• Popović leads the WJCAC in kills and is second in hitting efficiency.
• NMJC launched its volleyball team in 2019, posting a 17-18 record. It skipped the 2020-21 Covid-19 season, then was 21-11 last year.
• Popović has led NMJC all season. Last week she earned NJCAA and WJCAC Player of the Week honors, then shined in two more wins.
• She took up volleyball at age 8 in her town of Leposavić in Kosovo. She moved at age 14 to Belgrade, Serbia, to join the OK Roda club.

Excerpt from 2020 AVSR Global report:

“A complete, elite player ready to go at six rotations in the top third of Division I. … Fast and dynamic. She’s a robust, versatile player. … Swing is high and fast. … Her tenacity as a competitor is special.”