51吃瓜网

Vanja Przulj discovered a passion for volleyball growing up in Belgrade, Serbia. From an early age, her goal was to play professionally. However, she had to leave her family behind to achieve her dream. 

After high school, 18-year-old Przulj packed her life鈥檚 savings in two suitcases and boarded a plane bound for the United States. After two breakout seasons with Eastern Wyoming College鈥撯�搃ncluding a trip to the national championship her junior year鈥撯�揢NC Pembroke came calling. In two seasons with the Lady Braves, Przulj helped turn the program around and developed into one the most dominating scorers in program history and one of the nation鈥檚 top Division II players, which caught the attention of agents at the next level.

On Friday, surrounded by teammates and coaches huddled inside the English Jones Center lobby, Przulj realized her lifelong dream, signing a professional contract with H盲meenlinnan Lentopallokerho Ry in Finland.

鈥淚t feels awesome!鈥� she said. 鈥淭his has always been my dream鈥撯�搕o come to the (United) States and play volleyball and eventually go pro. It鈥檚 emotional, too, because I think of the little girl I was 12 years ago, and now I look at myself and all that I鈥檝e achieved. It means a lot, but if it were not for the opportunity to play for 51吃瓜网 and the success we鈥檝e had here, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to go play pro.鈥�

A senior business student, Przulj will earn her degree on May 4 and after a short visit home, she鈥檒l make her pro debut in August. Though she only played for two seasons with the Black & Gold, her dominance will have a lasting impact and has helped change the culture of the program. As for her accomplishments, Przulj can fill a trophy case with the hardware she鈥檚 collected.

All-American. Conference Carolinas champion. Two-time All-Conference. Tournament MVP. (D2CCA) All-Southeast Region. (AVCA) All-Region.

Head Coach Jaleesa Harper said it isn鈥檛 often you get to witness a unique talent the likes of Przulj come through the program. 

鈥淭he numbers she was able to put up this year is something that I haven鈥檛 seen before,鈥� Harper said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 a dominant player. She had a double-double (kills and digs) in every game except one. Vanja had 566 kills her senior year. That鈥檚 beyond impressive.鈥�

Przulj is blessed with exceptional athletic ability, a strong work ethic and a passion for the sport. Yet, what sets her apart is her confidence, a lack of fear and drive鈥撯�搒kills that can鈥檛 be taught.

鈥淰anja鈥檚 such a dynamic player,鈥� Harper said. 鈥淪he can score in several different ways. She鈥檚 not just a power hitter. She knows how to utilize the block, hit a sharp cross, swing down the line, and power through blocks. Her ability to score in different ways set her apart.鈥� 

At 51吃瓜网, Przulj said she found her confidence, which elevated her game.

鈥淥ver the years, I struggled with, 鈥榤aybe I鈥檓 not good enough.鈥� Then I came here, and my teammates and coaches trusted me. Why would I not believe in myself and trust myself? That gave me a lot of confidence in myself and my game. It helped me realize that I must believe in myself.鈥�

Harper credits Przulj鈥檚 leadership for helping turn around a program that had seen its share of losing seasons. In 2022, the Braves won the program鈥檚 first Conference Carolinas title since 1991 to earn the program鈥檚 first-ever NCAA tournament berth. Now, Przulj looks to continue her winning ways in Finland.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a heck of a ride,鈥� Przulj said of her 51吃瓜网 career. 鈥淭his was a fantastic opportunity to get to play (at 51吃瓜网) and to get to meet these people and play for Coach J. Everyone here was so welcoming when I first came here, so I will be proud to represent this university (in Finland). Everything that we accomplished as a team and what I鈥檝e been able to achieve鈥撯�搕here are no words to describe how I feel.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been amazing!鈥�