Serbia was once among the dominant forces in women’s volleyball, but in recent years, the program has entered a rebuilding phase as a new generation of players works to restore the nation’s place among the sport’s elite.
The European powerhouse enjoyed tremendous success on the international stage, winning back-to-back FIVB Women’s World Championships in 2018 and 2022, while also capturing the bronze medal in the 2022 Volleyball Nations League.
However, those achievements remain Serbia’s most recent podium finishes on the global stage as the team continues its transition toward a younger core.
The Serbians endured a difficult start to the Pasig leg of the 2026 Volleyball Nations League at the Philsports Arena, suffering back-to-back five-set losses to Japan and Italy on Wednesday and Thursday. They finally snapped a five-match losing streak dating back to Week 1 with a convincing 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 sweep of the Dominican Republic on Friday.
For rising star Nina Čajić, the goal is clear: help Serbia regain the stature it once held in international volleyball.
“I think Serbian volleyball, especially women’s, has been so big for so many years. I think there was a switch of generations that is happening right now, so we’re just trying to bring back the name that Serbia had before,” she said.
Among the members of Serbia’s 2022 world championship-winning squad, only captain Maja Aleksić and setter Slađana Mirković remain on the current VNL roster.
Despite the team’s recent struggles, Čajić believes courage and confidence can help Serbia return to its winning ways.
She also emphasized that, despite not being among the tallest players on the court compared to many of her VNL counterparts, she can still make an impact through heart, determination, and fighting spirit — qualities that Filipino athletes have long relied on when facing taller opponents.
“I think we’re just trying to play as bravely as possible and to show all the girls that are watching that it’s possible to win at this stage, no matter the height, no matter anything,” said Čajić.
“If you work on it, you can achieve what you want. I just think being relentless, playing brave is what we’re trying to be.”
