USC senior overcomes culture shock to become a big hit

Kujundzic will be counted on to lead experienced USC team into NCAAs

Written by NEIL WHITE

nwhite@thestate.com

Posted on 08.27.09

E-Mail Print Reprint

Text Size:

tool name

close

tool goes here

Erik Campos/ecampos@thestate.com/

USC's Ivana Kujundzic is a preseason all-SEC pick.

Ivana Kujundzic

-- CLASS: Senior

-- HOMETOWN: Subotica, Serbia

-- HIGH SCHOOL: Bosa Milicevic

-- HEIGHT: 6-1

-- POSITION: Outside hitter

-- PERSONAL: Pursuing a degree in management and marketing with a minor in hotel, restaurant and tourism management.

CAREER BESTS

-- KILLS: 26, Georgia (2007)

-- HIT PERCENTAGE: .533, Troy (2007)

-- SERVICE ACES: 5 (twice, last 2008)

-- DIGS: 21, Tennessee (2008)

-- TOTAL BLOCKS: 8 (twice, last 2006)

After one semester at South Carolina, Ivana Kujundzic was ready to return to her native Serbia.

The cultural differences between her homeland and Columbia were jarring. The style of volleyball played at the collegiate level was frustrating.

“It was pretty rough at the beginning. I won’t lie,” she said.

But she knew if she returned to Serbia, she would have to choose between going to college and playing for a club or professional team.

“I wanted an education and to play at the same time,” Kujundzic said. “That’s why I decided to stay. I’m so glad I did because now I love it.”

Three years after making that decision, the 6-foot-1 outside hitter starts her senior season Friday when USC faces its rival at 7 p.m. as part of Clemson’s Big Orange Bash.

A preseason All-SEC pick, Kujundzic led the Gamecocks and ranked third in the conference with 3.61 kills per set last year and stood in the top 15 in the league in four different statistical categories. She has led South Carolina in kills each of the past two seasons.

Kujundzic has holds the longest current consecutive-sets streak of 203, which dates to the 2007 season. And she continues a stretch of 14 years for the Gamecocks to have at least one foreign player on the roster.

USC coach Ben Somera knew it was simply a matter of Kujundzic getting adjusted to the slower pace of life in the South and the faster pace of American play on the court.

“I’m proud of the way she stuck it out. She didn’t want to stay,” Somera said. “But she’s found a second family with this team.”

Kujundzic admitted she has forged a bond with her teammates. With a veteran unit returning — 11 players are back, including five starters — the Gamecocks, who finished 21-9 last season, hope to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002.

“I’m so excited that I can’t even describe it. This is the chance for me and all the other seniors to go to the tournament,” Kujundzic said. “It’s basically the same team playing the last two, three years.”

The excitement is a long way from the attitude of someone who was not sure she wanted to come to USC. After being initially contacted by a USC player from Serbia, Somera, who had coached other Serbian players in previous jobs, followed through on that recruitment.

But Kujundzic, despite prompting from her parents to give the move a try, was so reluctant she wished she would score poorly on her SAT to discourage USC from accepting her.

When that did not happen, she made the move. Now she is two semesters from graduating with a degree in management and marketing with a minor in hotel, restaurant and tourism management. She hopes the degree will help her realize her dream of owning a hotel on the coast of Croatia.

Somera believes Kujundzic will have to elevate her game because she is USC’s best returning player and will draw extra attention from opposing defensive schemes.

“What we want Ivana to do is be ahead of the point and do her job to the best of her ability,” Somera said. “She must stay patient and keep her efficiency up. If she does that, it will open things up for other people.”

Kujundzic, now the veteran three-year starter, is ready for the challenge.

“I’ve got to be a leader on the court,” she said.

And one day she may even lead the next reluctant Serbian player to Columbia.

Preview: USC volleyball

COACH: Ben Somera (third season at USC, 35-24)

LAST SEASON: 21-9 overall, 12-8 in SEC East (fourth)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ivana Kujundzic, 6-foot-1, Sr., outside hitter who led team in kills per set past two season; Sarah Cline, 5-9, Sr., defensive specialist who led team in digs per set last season; Bridget Denson-Dorman, 5-9, Sr., setter who led the SEC in assists per set last season

SEASON OUTLOOK: The program reached the 20-win level for the first time in six seasons but missed out on the NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks return one of the most experienced teams in the conference, which should help in the very competitive Eastern Division.

SCHEDULE:

Reach White at (803) 771-8643.

Most Viewed Stories

• A.J. Green to miss 4 games
• Transcript: USC Q&A (Georgia game)
• King, Culliver still in limbo
• Double duty suits Lanning, Gamecocks
• Maddox welcomes expanded role
• Clowney will be in Columbia Saturday
• Top infield prospect commits to USC
• Byers will see USC Saturday
• Roland is rolling in offers
• Two legs better than one for Georgia

Recent Video

Latest Forum posts

• SEC postseason position rankings: DB
• The next impact player ?
• New Rules for 2012?
• Infield Defense
• Watching this SC team is making me dislike basketball more and more….........