Hailing from Novi Sad, Serbia Danica Krstonošic joins Ivana Jeremic (Serbia) and Carmen Unzue (Spain) as the third international-born player on the Sun Devils' 2017 roster. A member of the Serbian U19 national team in 2016, Krstonošic also competed for the Serbian-based Kluk Volleyball Club, helping propel the team to a 21-1 record and its first ever Serbian League title. An accomplished individual on and off the court she attended Serbia's prestigious Petnica Research Center and plans on majoring in software engineering and business entrepreneurship at Arizona State and hopes to one day work as a software engineer like her father, Dragan.
What drew you to Arizona State?
Many things…most of all competitive spirit of the Pac-12 and good atmosphere of the team. ASU is also a great school and these things made it my first college choice.
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and why?
Jamie Oliver, because he would cook.
If you had the chance to pick the brain of any coach in any sport, who would it be?
It would probably be Željko Obradovic. He won the basketball Euro League for the fifth time this year. He has accomplished the feat each time with a different club.
If you had the chance to watch one past sporting event, which one would you go to?
The men's volleyball finals at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
What is your hometown and what do you like best about it?
My hometown is Novi Sad, and I love everything about it. Every time I go home from some vacation or any place, I see the view from our biggest bridge and I fall in love again. I love the city center, old town, fortress… I love my city.
Which past Sun Devil (any sport) do you wish you could have watched play?
Our coaches Macey and Amanda! And James Harden, of course.
What is the last book you read?
Koreni (Roots) by Dobrica Cosic.
What's your favorite song from your favorite artist?
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
"One can move a mountain only if he had moved the stones at the start." (not sure how it goes in English, I know this quote in my language only)
What is a movie that you can watch over and over again?
Many. Easy A, The Blind Side, Limitless…
What is the best advice your parents ever gave you?
Never take the easier way!
If you could learn to do anything what would it be?
To play guitar! And to speak French and Spanish.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, talkative and industrious.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Washing the dishes. Agh.
What is your best childhood memory?
Can't pick one… Most of them were spent in village with my brother and sister. The first one than comes to mind is us climbing the tree to eat cherries.
What's your favorite TV show and why?
The Big Bang Theory – love them. They always make me laugh.
What is your favorite road trip destination?
Bled, Slovenia.
What is one place you really want to visit?
Machu Picchu.
If someone wrote a book about your life what would they title it?
I don't know, but by the time that someone writes a book about me I'll probably find something.
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Gautama Siddhartha.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
My first medal from sports wasn't from volleyball, but football! Before I started playing volleyball, I played football everyday with my friends and I played for my school.
Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
Good question, and tough choice. Novak Ðokovic.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the sport of volleyball?
Serbian national team players.
What is your favorite volleyball related memory?
I've had a lot of great memories related to volleyball, and each of them are my favorite in a different way. If I had to choose one, it would be one game in the May Tournament in Belgrade, two years ago, when we played against the Belgrade. It was a tournament, so I didn't play with girls I played in my club, and it was a great game…
What is the hardest thing about volleyball?
In my opinion, the hardest thing about volleyball is that every point matters. Sometimes one ball, one point can change everything. It's pretty hard to get on the serve line when it's 24-23 in favor of your rivals. But I love these moments. In some way, they build character.
Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
I will give 100%, and I'll be satisfied with what I get in return.
What drew you to Arizona State?
Many things…most of all competitive spirit of the Pac-12 and good atmosphere of the team. ASU is also a great school and these things made it my first college choice.
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and why?
Jamie Oliver, because he would cook.
If you had the chance to pick the brain of any coach in any sport, who would it be?
It would probably be Željko Obradovic. He won the basketball Euro League for the fifth time this year. He has accomplished the feat each time with a different club.
If you had the chance to watch one past sporting event, which one would you go to?
The men's volleyball finals at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
What is your hometown and what do you like best about it?
My hometown is Novi Sad, and I love everything about it. Every time I go home from some vacation or any place, I see the view from our biggest bridge and I fall in love again. I love the city center, old town, fortress… I love my city.
Which past Sun Devil (any sport) do you wish you could have watched play?
Our coaches Macey and Amanda! And James Harden, of course.
What is the last book you read?
Koreni (Roots) by Dobrica Cosic.
What's your favorite song from your favorite artist?
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
"One can move a mountain only if he had moved the stones at the start." (not sure how it goes in English, I know this quote in my language only)
What is a movie that you can watch over and over again?
Many. Easy A, The Blind Side, Limitless…
What is the best advice your parents ever gave you?
Never take the easier way!
If you could learn to do anything what would it be?
To play guitar! And to speak French and Spanish.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Ambitious, talkative and industrious.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Washing the dishes. Agh.
What is your best childhood memory?
Can't pick one… Most of them were spent in village with my brother and sister. The first one than comes to mind is us climbing the tree to eat cherries.
What's your favorite TV show and why?
The Big Bang Theory – love them. They always make me laugh.
What is your favorite road trip destination?
Bled, Slovenia.
What is one place you really want to visit?
Machu Picchu.
If someone wrote a book about your life what would they title it?
I don't know, but by the time that someone writes a book about me I'll probably find something.
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Gautama Siddhartha.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
My first medal from sports wasn't from volleyball, but football! Before I started playing volleyball, I played football everyday with my friends and I played for my school.
Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
Good question, and tough choice. Novak Ðokovic.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the sport of volleyball?
Serbian national team players.
What is your favorite volleyball related memory?
I've had a lot of great memories related to volleyball, and each of them are my favorite in a different way. If I had to choose one, it would be one game in the May Tournament in Belgrade, two years ago, when we played against the Belgrade. It was a tournament, so I didn't play with girls I played in my club, and it was a great game…
What is the hardest thing about volleyball?
In my opinion, the hardest thing about volleyball is that every point matters. Sometimes one ball, one point can change everything. It's pretty hard to get on the serve line when it's 24-23 in favor of your rivals. But I love these moments. In some way, they build character.
Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
I will give 100%, and I'll be satisfied with what I get in return.