by Jacob Fuhrer |
Djurdjina Milovic looked out at the volleyball court in Stockton, California, wishing she could be there setting the ball just as she had at nearly every other game this season. But for this game, Milovic was on the sidelines and playing wasn’t an option.
The junior setter dove for a ball during practice the night before, breaking her hand and eventually, underwent surgery.
“I literally got injured the night before (the game),” Milovic said. “So I kinda felt bad I basically just left my team so they had to figure it out without me.”
Junior Makayla Lindburg, normally an outside hitter, stepped up the following day and took over as setter for the team’s game against the University of Pacific. She had big shoes to fill.
Under Milovic’s leadership as the Pilots’ only setter, Portland is coming off their first winning season since 1994. The Pilots’ 16 wins were the most since 1991 and the 10 home match wins were the most since Portland was a part of the NAIA.
“I was a little nervous because I’d never set before,” Lindburg said. “I had no sense of tempo or connection with my hitters.”
Despite the disconnect, Milovic says the transition was eased by having a team that is willing to help each other out and work together. When Lindburg was chosen as setter, Milovic says she calmly accepted the position, with little fear or reticence.
“My team needed me to step into that role,” Lindburg said. “Honestly the coach could have grabbed anyone.”
But assistant coach Dan Matthews said the coaching staff had good reason for choosing Lindburg.
“She’s just completely being modest,” Matthews said. “I think Makayla has a set of skills that allowed her to step into that role so quickly.”
Matthews said the team recognized the possibility that they would need an alternate setter after freshman Jocelyn Peterson left earlier in the season.
Despite the short notice about the change in roles, Matthews said Lindburg did such a good job that she received compliments from people who weren’t even aware she was filling in for Milovic. They assumed she was a setter.
Milovic said she was able to watch the team’s matches with relative ease, knowing they were in good hands with Lindburg.
“I think she did really well,” Milovic said. “It’s just incredible to see how much she improved after a week in a position she never played.”
As for Milovic, she can’t wait to get back on the court.
“This is my first big injury ever,” Milovic said. “It makes me want to play even more.”
