Teodora Kričković can’t remember how she started playing volleyball. She didn’t come from a volleyball family, and she didn’t fall in love with the sport, at least initially.
The now-Indiana volleyball setter began playing in 2014 but quit and tried out track and field instead.
A year or two later, Kričković realized track and field wasn’t what she wanted either, so she decided to go back to volleyball. But this time around, she chose to stick with it.
That one small decision changed the trajectory of her life. Her love for volleyball grew over time and so did her goals.
“Her aspirations are to set the national team in Serbia, and be an Olympian and play professionally, and she's on track to do all those things.” Indiana head coach Steve Aird said in an interview with the Indiana Daily Student on Sept. 22.
The Novi Sad, Serbia, native signed to play for the Hoosiers on May 8, 2025. Coming from another country, the decision to leave for Indiana was not an easy choice.
“I was really skeptical about coming here because, again, it's just different,” Kričković said in a Sept. 22 interview with the Indiana Daily Student. “A different language, a school of different language, so it was really hard for me to like say ‘I'm gonna go’ but when I said it, I was like ‘I'm all in now, I cannot go back’.”
While not an easy choice, the decision has pushed her towards her personal goals of playing professionally postgrad and being an Olympian while also promoting the growth of the Indiana volleyball program.
In Indiana’s 10 seasons prior to Kričković signing, the Hoosiers had three winning seasons and only one season with at least 20 wins. The program had not appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 15 years, with its last appearance in 2010.
But Aird saw Kričković’s skill and sold his vision for the program to her.
“I talked with Coach Steve, and I just like his vision of something that he wants Indiana to become,” Kričković said. “I think we're getting there and we've got there. I mean what he told me like... ‘I want to get a ranked team; I want to get to NCAA Tournament.’ We did that last year, so we're trying to push that kind of limit to just do it this year too and maybe even more.”
Kričković’s first year with the program proved to be a historic one. The Hoosiers made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010 and recorded their best overall record at 25-8.
The 2025 Cream and Crimson, made up of a strong freshman class and seasoned veterans, advanced to the Sweet 16, tied for the furthest round advanced to in program history. Indiana also posted its best Big Ten finish, coming in at fifth and earned its highest American Volleyball Coaches Association ranking in the final rankings at No. 13.
As a freshman, Kričković helped lead the Hoosiers offense to a top-five conference ranking in kills and assists. She also finished top five in the conference individually in assists.
Kričković tallied a plethora of recognition and accolades. She earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-American, was named First Team All-Big Ten and to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Kričković was also selected to the AVCA Midwest All-Region team and voted the AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year.
But getting there wasn't easy. Kričković had to put in years of work. And once she got to Indiana, she had to face new struggles, a lot of them atypical. As a setter, Kričković must be a leader on the court. But as a Serbia native, there was a language and culture difference. She had to learn to overcome it, since communication on the court is critical.
“It's harder here because, of course, I can be a leader in my native language,” Kričković said. “...Here, it's really hard trying to figure out the culture and trying to figure out what to say and what is the right thing to say at what time.”
But she’s made it work.
“I like to put out a lot of energy and joy and she’s like the complete opposite,” sophomore middle blocker Victoria Gray said Sept. 10 following Indiana’s victory over California Polytechnic State University. “She calms me down, like say I skip a ball out, she’s like ‘Oh next ball’ and I'm like ‘You’re right.’ ”
Sophomore defensive specialist Hannah Leftridge echoed the same sentiment.
“When we have big moments, we need somebody to be calm on the court,” Leftridge said Sept. 10.
Not only did Kričković have to overcome a language barrier, she also had to learn to play in a different style of volleyball.
“They play a very unique style of volleyball in Serbia,” Aird said. “We play a very unique style of volleyball in Indiana. They're very different.”
Indiana plays a faster, high-tempo style of volleyball. What she can do on the court at Indiana differs from what she can do in Serbia. The adjustment was something that took time.
“Her ability to set both systems and to do it at a high level tells you everything you need to know about her skills,” Aird said. “I mean, she can go back and forth seamlessly. I think it's a lot harder than people might think.”
Aird never worried if Kričković would be able to adjust. He knew she had what it took.
Steve credited ability to adjust to her maturity and skills. He allows her to do what the coaches in Serbia ask of her and knows she is surrounded by smart people who help her develop.
Aird’s willingness to allow Kričković to play however her coaches in Serbia train her builds trust between the two.
“We have a great relationship,” Aird said. “I think she trusts me to help her develop. I think she's found a home and a family here that she feels really good about.”
Aird puts effort and time into ensuring Kričković is pushed and can achieve her own personal goals. Simultaneously, Kričković is helping Aird achieve his goals for the program.
Kričković brings talent and skill to the team. But her overall character is what makes her such a joy to have, Aird said.
“I think she's just a really special human,” Aird said. “And I appreciate the fact she's a good volleyball player, but I just care about her really deeply as a human. And I think she knows that. And I think that's why we have a pretty good thing going here.”
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06 and srslone@iu.edu) and Kasey Watkins (@KaseyWatki87731 and kaslwatk@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
