After more than a year away from the court due to injury, Croatian opposite Mika Grbavica has made a strong return. In this interview, she reflects on her journey, the setbacks she faced, and her ambitions moving forward.
“It Took a Year, but I Came Back Stronger”
You were away from the court for over a year. How did you cope with such a long break?
Mika Grbavica: It was a tough period, but in the end, I believe it made me stronger. It took me a year to return, but I’m here now, and I feel better than ever. As strange as it sounds, I’m actually grateful for the injury. It taught me a lot—about myself, my body, and professional sports in general. People outside of sports might not fully understand, but going through that experience changed my perspective on training, preparation, and recovery.
A Fresh Start with Calcit Kamnik
Your return started with the national team last summer. How important was that for you?
Mika Grbavica: That was a turning point. It helped me regain my confidence, get back into rhythm, and feel comfortable on the court again. From there, everything started improving.
You initially signed with Casalmaggiore in Italy but later moved to Calcit Kamnik in Slovenia. What led to that decision?
Mika Grbavica: Some things just didn’t work out as planned in Italy. Certain agreements didn’t go as expected, so after two and a half months, I signed with Kamnik. Interestingly, they had already shown interest in me last summer, so it felt like the right move.
Winning the Slovenian Cup and Looking Ahead
Kamnik recently won the Slovenian Cup. How does that feel?
Mika Grbavica: It’s a great achievement, and I’m really happy. The club is fantastic, my teammates welcomed me, and everything has come together nicely. Most importantly, I’m playing regularly, which was crucial after my long break. We’re competing on multiple fronts—CEV Champions League, MEVZA League, and the Slovenian Championship. Unfortunately, we didn’t advance in the Champions League after a tight 2-3 loss to Porto, but winning the domestic cup was a big confidence boost.
Facing Former Teammates in the MEVZA League
In the MEVZA League, you’ll be playing against your former club, Mladost. What are your thoughts on that?
Mika Grbavica: It’s going to be interesting. My first match with Kamnik was actually against Mladost. I spent four years there, from 16 to 20, so I know a lot of the players. But on the court, there’s no room for sentiment—I want to win another trophy with Kamnik.
National Team Goals and Returning to the Volleyball Nations League
After the club season, you’ll have another summer with the national team. What are the goals?
Mika Grbavica: I can’t wait! Last summer helped me get back into top shape after my injury, so I’m really looking forward to it. The plan is clear—finish the European Championship qualifiers and perform well in the Golden European League to earn ranking points. The ultimate goal is to return to the Volleyball Nations League. We only played one season there, and we feel like we have unfinished business.
Your journey from injury to success has been inspiring. What’s your biggest takeaway from this experience?
Mika Grbavica: Resilience. No matter how difficult things get, if you stay focused and keep pushing, you can come back stronger. This past year has been a challenge, but it has also been one of the most valuable experiences of my career.
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