Jelena Vujcin's trademark passion and energy have made her a fan favorite after her first year in Starkville.
From Serbia To Starkville: Jelena Vujcin's Story
December 12, 2016 | Volleyball
By: McRae Clay, Mississippi State Athletic Media Relations
For Mississippi State's Jelena Vujcin, volleyball has become a constant in a life full of change.Â
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Vujcin, a six-foot-three junior, started her athletic career in her hometown of Becej, Serbia. She spent the first six years of her life playing handball with her friends. After her coach moved away and the handball club fell apart, Vujcin and her teammates tried out volleyball.
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"I started growing really fast, and my coach pointed out that my aggression wasn't normal for a 12-year-old," Vujcin recalled.
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By the time she was 13, Vujcin had moved away from her family and signed a contract to play volleyball for a club team further north. However, pursuing a professional career did not leave much time dedicated to education. For Vujcin, education was the catalyst for her journey to the other side of the globe.
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Her endeavor to America started with a simple Facebook message to a former Serbian coach that was coaching in Seattle at the time. The coach requested a video of Vujcin playing, and the rest is history.
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Vujcin spent her first two seasons at Seattle University, where she was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team in 2014 and WAC All-Second Team in 2015. She totaled 67 aces in her two seasons as a Redhawk, which stand 10th in the school's career records. After two successful years on the court, Vujcin decided that Seattle just wasn't the place for her.
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"I was striving for a bigger school with a family feeling. I found that here," she said.
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Vujcin hit the ground running in Starkville and became an instant fan favorite. She capped her first year with the Bulldogs setting career highs in kills (318), hitting percentage (.260) and blocks (73). While Vujcin has proven to be a star for the Maroon and White on the court and on the stat sheet, the passion and emotion she brings to each play is what sets her apart from the rest.
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"I am playing for this school, this team and these colors. Right now that's my identity, and when I play against other teams, I take pride in protecting that."
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Vujcin's parents have never had the opportunity to watch her play in the states. Even though her dad has never been able to make it to a match, he is always in her mind when she plays.
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"My dad would always tell me to play with everything I have and to leave my heart on the floor, so that's what I do" recalls Vujcin.
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Since her freshmen year, Vujcin has only been able to return home for one week. However, Vujcin will make the journey home and spend this Christmas with her family, something she is very much looking forward to.
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Off the court Vujcin enjoys spending time with her cat, Puma, and being outdoors. She is a geoscience major with a concentration in environmental geoscience, hoping to one day become a park ranger and continue the active lifestyle that has opened so many doors for her.  Â
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For Mississippi State's Jelena Vujcin, volleyball has become a constant in a life full of change.Â
Â
Vujcin, a six-foot-three junior, started her athletic career in her hometown of Becej, Serbia. She spent the first six years of her life playing handball with her friends. After her coach moved away and the handball club fell apart, Vujcin and her teammates tried out volleyball.
Â
"I started growing really fast, and my coach pointed out that my aggression wasn't normal for a 12-year-old," Vujcin recalled.
Â
By the time she was 13, Vujcin had moved away from her family and signed a contract to play volleyball for a club team further north. However, pursuing a professional career did not leave much time dedicated to education. For Vujcin, education was the catalyst for her journey to the other side of the globe.
Â
Her endeavor to America started with a simple Facebook message to a former Serbian coach that was coaching in Seattle at the time. The coach requested a video of Vujcin playing, and the rest is history.
Â
Vujcin spent her first two seasons at Seattle University, where she was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team in 2014 and WAC All-Second Team in 2015. She totaled 67 aces in her two seasons as a Redhawk, which stand 10th in the school's career records. After two successful years on the court, Vujcin decided that Seattle just wasn't the place for her.
Â
"I was striving for a bigger school with a family feeling. I found that here," she said.
Â
Vujcin hit the ground running in Starkville and became an instant fan favorite. She capped her first year with the Bulldogs setting career highs in kills (318), hitting percentage (.260) and blocks (73). While Vujcin has proven to be a star for the Maroon and White on the court and on the stat sheet, the passion and emotion she brings to each play is what sets her apart from the rest.
Â
"I am playing for this school, this team and these colors. Right now that's my identity, and when I play against other teams, I take pride in protecting that."
Â
Vujcin's parents have never had the opportunity to watch her play in the states. Even though her dad has never been able to make it to a match, he is always in her mind when she plays.
Â
"My dad would always tell me to play with everything I have and to leave my heart on the floor, so that's what I do" recalls Vujcin.
Â
Since her freshmen year, Vujcin has only been able to return home for one week. However, Vujcin will make the journey home and spend this Christmas with her family, something she is very much looking forward to.
Â
Off the court Vujcin enjoys spending time with her cat, Puma, and being outdoors. She is a geoscience major with a concentration in environmental geoscience, hoping to one day become a park ranger and continue the active lifestyle that has opened so many doors for her.  Â
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Players Mentioned
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