Iva Popovic Named NJCAA First-Team All-American

Freshman outside hitter Iva Popovic was named a NJCAA DI Volleyball First-Team All-American. This is the first time in program history the T-Birds have had a First-Team NJCAA All-American. 

Popovic was one of two freshmen in the country to earn a NJCAA First-Team All-American distinction. The only other Thunderbird volleyball player to garner All-American honors is 2021 outside hitter Kristine Teivane, who was named a Second-Team All-American.

Popovic enjoyed a historic freshman season with the T-Birds. The Belgrade, Serbia native finished the year with one of the most impressive resumes of any freshman in NJCAA DI volleyball.

Popovic finished in the Top 5 nationally in four separate categories. She finished the year T-4 nationally in kills with 535 (most in school history). That mark is the second most kills in the country by a freshman. Popovic was No. 3 in the country in kills per set at 4.53, No. 4 in the country in points per set with 5.0 and finished the year with 594 points (No. 5 in NJCAA).

The freshman was also named an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second-Team All-American, WJCAC Most Valuable Player (MVP), and WJCAC All-Conference for the 2022 season. 

"Iva is a phenomenal volleyball player. Her raw power is unmatched at this level. Her skill set combined with our sophomore leadership really helped pave the way for our success and put NMJC volleyball on the map," head coach Holli Reyna said. "It will be exciting to see what the future holds for her and for this program."

Popovic led the T-Birds to a Region V West Final in her first season in Hobbs. The T-Bird finished the year with 19 double-doubles, 386 digs, a school record 535 kills, a school record 28 kills in one match versus Midland Nov. 5, and a school record in conference wins (12) and overall wins (25). 

Playing at this high of a level so quickly came as somewhat of a surprise for the freshman outside hitter.  

"Honestly, coming into NMJC I didn't expect to achieve the success this fast. However, I've been working a lot this season and trying to do my best for my team," Popovic said.

"To be named as one of the best players in the country by NJCAA and a First-Team All-American means a lot to me," Popovic said. "I am grateful to my coaches and my team for this success because I know we worked a lot this season. Also, hard work is something that describes me, and with that I think I can do everything."

The Thunderbirds capped off their historic season in 2022 with a 25-7 record (12-2 in conference).