Florida Southwestern Grubisic Cabo named DI Volleyball Player of the Year

Charlotte, NC: Florida Southwestern (FSW) sophomore Julija Grubisic Cabo has been named the 2024 NJCAA Division I Player of the Year.

The outside hitter has added another trophy to their trophy case after being named a NJCAA DI Volleyball First-Team All-America Selection earlier this week and leading the Bucs to their third consecutive national championship.

"Julija is the kind of player that you wish you had 15 of on your team. Her numbers on the floor speak for themselves, but they don't show the total impact that she has had on our program. She is an incredible teammate, a great student, and a poised leader who was at the forefront of our team's success this season," FSW head volleyball coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen said. 

Grubisic Cabo averaged 3.43 kills per set with a .351 hitting percentage on the season. The sophomore finished the season with nine double-doubles and is one of six players in the country to average 3.40 or more kills and 2.50 or more digs per set.

 "Anytime we needed it, Julija brought a calm to our team because of her maturity and feel for the game. She always seemed to know when we needed to get up and when we needed to level and as a leader, we looked to her in those times of need," fellow NJCAA All-America selection and FSW teammate Abby Toeniskoetter said.

FSW earned the top overall seed heading into the national tournament. Grubisic Cabo played every set for the Bucs, leading them to the national championship against conference rival Miami Dade. The Bucs would sweep the Sharks and the sophomore was a big reason why. Over four games, Grubisic Cabo would collect 46 kills, a 0.31% hitting percentage, while averaging 4.12 points per set. On defense, the sophomore earned seven blocks and 29 digs. The outside hitter was named the 2024 NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship Most Valuable Player.

2024-25 Stats

• 3.43 kills per set

• .351 hitting percentage

• 2.58 digs per set

2024-25 Accomplishments

• 2024 NJCAA DI Volleyball National Champion

• 2024 NJCAA DI Volleyball First-Team All-America Selection

• 2024 NJCAA DI Volleyball Championship Most Valuable Player

• NJCAA DI Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 14-20)

• Four-time FCSAA Player of the Week

• 2024 FCSAA Championship Most Valuable Player

• Ilida Medero Award Winner (DI All-FCSAA Player of the Year)