Social networks have their drawbacks, but sometimes they do something that no scout can – they find players in the most unexpected places. This is exactly how the story of Aleksandar Šoša begins, as reported by the Serbian publicationMeridian Sport.
A single match thousands of kilometers from home, a few Instagram videos, and a little "chain reaction" proved enough for his name to reach Serbia's national coach, Đorđe Krecu.

One Match in Hawaii and Everything Changes

At the start of 2026, Loyola Chicago opened the season with two tough matches against Hawaii. After a loss in the first encounter, the rematch came – a 3:1 victory (25:23, 25:22, 24:26, 29:27). It was then that opposite hitter Aleksandar Šoša stood out.
Not long after, social media started to "work" – videos, congratulations, reactions. One of the first to notice his performance was national team player Aleksa Mandić. He passed the information to the staff, Neven Majstorović remembered the boy from Zrenjanin, and Krecu watched the entire match.
A few months later, the phone rings.

The Call That Changes Everything

Šoša himself doesn't hide that he was surprised. His last contact with the national team was three years ago when he was part of the U22 squad.
And suddenly – a personal call from the national coach. The conversation lasted about 15 minutes, and Krecu clearly showed him that he was following his development and had a specific plan for him. The reason was clear – his strong performances for Loyola, one of the leading universities in American volleyball.

America as a Second Chance

His path until this moment was far from straightforward. After his stay in Serbia, where he didn't get enough opportunities, Šoša left for the USA. His first stop was Quincy – two years in which he sought himself as a player.
The first season was difficult. The second – decisive. A change of coach, more trust, and an opportunity to show his qualities. It was during this period that he played strong matches against Loyola – enough to attract the attention of the coaching staff of his future team. The offer came soon after. And he accepted it.

The Quick Breakthrough... and the Tough Test

Immediately upon his arrival in Chicago in August, Šoša began to establish himself. And the matches in Hawaii only accelerated the process. However, a tough moment followed – an injury in February. Broken fingers on his right hand, surgery, and six screws. Despite this, the trust in him did not disappear. At Loyola, they are convinced they have found the right person for the opposite hitter position.

From "What is this guy doing here?" to the National Team

The story becomes even more interesting when we look back. His first steps in volleyball were not convincing at all. As a child, he didn't even like the sport. Everything started almost by chance – a meeting with Vanja Grbić, who is his relative. Yes, Šoša is part of the Grbić family.
In the beginning, however, he had neither self-confidence nor assurance. At the training camps in Zlatibor, he even attracted attention with... his lack of skills.
"Everyone looked at me and asked: 'Bro, what is this guy doing here?'" It was there, however, that the change began.

The First Sign of Potential

In 2019, the first serious moment arrived – a match from the bench where he got a chance and turned the score from 0:2 to 3:2. This was also the moment he started thinking differently. Soon after, recognition followed – an award for the best opposite hitter in the country at junior level.

The Path Through Doubts

Despite the progress, the path through the national teams was not easy. He often remained on the sidelines, with the assessment: "He has potential, but he's not ready." However, this very thing became a driving force. In the USA, he found a different approach – more patience, more individual work, and clear communication. Additional training sessions, constant questions to coaches, and a desire for development.

What Kind of Player is Shosha?

He himself describes his style simply: strong in attack and serve, aggressive, point-oriented. He also doesn't hide his inspiration – Aleksandar Atanasijevic. Even a handshake with him remains among his most cherished memories.

What's Next?

Currently, the focus is on the season with Loyola and potential participation in the finals in May. In parallel, the chance with the national team is also coming.
And after college – the next logical step: professional volleyball.

Conclusion

Aleksandar Shosha's story is one of those that sounds almost like a movie script. Shosha's path went through Zrenjanin, Zlatibor, Chicago, and a match in Hawaii to reach the Serbian national team. And very soon, this story will have a direct continuation for Bulgarian fans. On May 22nd in Katowice, Bulgaria will face Serbia in the "Silesia Cup" friendly tournament in Poland, which will be the first opportunity to see the new name in the Serbian squad against the Bulgarian team. Sometimes, one match on Instagram is enough to start a story – but the true assessment always comes on the court.

photo:Loyola Ramblers Athletics