UTB-TSC's Markovic sticks with routine amid change

The only things that changed in Danica Markovic’s life were the surroundings.

"I’m used to it, I played in Serbia, good volleyball, really good volleyball," she said. "I had the same process, just volleyball, school, volleyball, school, three hours of practicing. I’m used to it, it’s not so hard."

With 3.2 kills per game and 0.7 aces per game, the freshman outside hitter is an essential reason why the No. 2 University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College is off to the NAIA women’s volleyball national championship tournament next week in Sioux City, Iowa.

For Markovic, who is from Subotica, Serbia, and can speak English, the transition was a relatively easy one.

In fact, it’s not even something she worried about too much.

"I didn’t think so much about that," Markovic said. "I knew it would be fine and good."

From a volleyball perspective, things were even easier.

"She was effective right away, (but) she’s improved," UTB-TSC coach Todd Lowery said. "We’ve cut down on her mistakes and made her vicious. But she came in with a big arm, big jump serve."

That serve, which has been so effective this season, is something she’s always had.

"It’s just exercise, I work on that all my life," Markovic said. "Ever since I started to play volleyball, I’ve had that jump serve. So I think that’s the good part of that."

But Markovic is much more than just a serve, as her game as steadily progressed over the past few months.

"She’s really improved over the course of the season," Lowery said. "With her, she’s just developed some shots and doesn’t just try to hit every ball hard like she did at the beginning of the year."

The praise from her coach didn’t stop there.

"She’s a great all-around player, she works very hard," Lowery said. "Danica’s been very focused and continues to improve. She’s just a very coachable player. When you teach her or tell her to do something, it transitions to the court really easily for her."

But despite all the personal success Markovic has had this season, she refuses to take credit for it or put the spotlight on herself.

"It’s just happening," she said. "I don’t think I (could) succeed without my teammates. It’s not just my thing, it’s part of the whole team."

And that team is heading to the national championship tournament with a No. 2 seed after a 34-1 season. Scorpions volleyball is on the map, and with players like Markovic just beginning their careers, it figures to stay there.

"She continues to mature, she’s 19," Lowery said. "As she gets better and gets playing experience, she’ll continue (to) get better." 

Todd Orodenker covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at torodenker@brownsvilleherald.com.