2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX
- Group 1
- July 7th – August 6th
- FIVB World Grand Prix Round 3
- Schedule/Results
The 2017 edition of the World Grand Prix is the seventh consecutive year that Serbia has made an appearance, making this year one to remember. They first joined the competition field in 2011, immediately making an impact, finishing third overall. In 2013, the squad repeated their bronze medal finish but have missed the Final Six in the past three editions.
At the 2016 Olympics, Serbia faced off against the eventual champions in the title match, giving them a run for their money but falling short for the silver medal.
Overall, Serbia has a 7-2 record at the World Grand Prix, losing to Brazil in three to start off their week two play than in five to Japan in the final week of play.
At this year’s edition of the World Grand Prix, there have been a number of top contributors for the Serbian crew.
Top Contributors
- Brankica Mihajlovic – In the preliminary rounds of the World Grand Prix, Mihajlovic has been a dominant force for the team, putting down 153 points on 126 kills, 11 blocks and six aces. By far Mihajlovic has been the top performer for the team, as the next closed is nearly 80 points behind her. This, though, could pose a problem for the Serbians as they will need more than one player to carry them to the title.
- Tijana Boskovic – So far, Boskovic has not been an overwhelming contributor for Serbia, though she began to show signs of a breakthrough in the final week of the opening rounds. In total, she has put down 44 points in the competition with half of those points coming against China in the final match, with 22 points on 18 kills and four aces. For the Serbian crew to be successful they will need Boskovic to step up in the Finals.
- Jovana Stevanovic – Though she has not contributed too large of numbers, Stevanovic has dominated her play at the net with 21 blocks. Her blocking will be key to Serbia’s success in the finals.
Roster
(* denotes their participation in the 2016 Olympic Games)
- Bianka Busa*
- Sara Lozo
- Sanja Malagurski
- Bojana Zivkovic*
- Mina Popovic
- Tijana Malesevic*
- Ana Antonijevic
- Danica Radenkovic
- Brankica Mihajlovic*
- Sladjana Mirkovic
- Stefana Veljkovic*
- Teodora Pusic
- Ana Bjelica
- Nadja Ninkovic
- Jovana Stevanovic*
- Milena Rasic*
- Silvija Popovic*
- Tijana Boskovic*
- Bojana Milenkovic
- Jelena Blagojevic
- Ana Lazarevic
The Serbian return nine of the players that helped them to the silver medal finish at the 2016 Olympic Games. Leading Serbia at the Olympics were Tijana Boskovic and Brankica Mihajlovic with 137 and 121 points, respectively. Milena Rasic also contributed 96 points for Serbia.
Of these players, Mihajlovic has been the most effective for the team this season and will need her along with Boskovic to step up in the Finals.
Schedule
Serbia will begin their Finals journey with the United States on August 2 followed by Italy on August 4. Team USA finished in second place during the opening rounds while Italy emerged as a dominant team in the final two weeks of play.
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