In The Nest: Petra Indrova Prepared For Senior Season With BGVB

Presented by Medical Mutual

7/7/2022

Petra Indrova enters her fourth season with the BGSU volleyball program this fall, having helped the Falcons appear in the NCAA Tournament, NIVC, and three MAC Championships. In 2021, she earned MAC Player of the Year and became the first AVCA All-American in program history. Indrova, an opposite hitter from Jihlava, Czech Republic, is majoring in International Business.

When did you start playing volleyball and how did you wind up gravitating toward the sport?

I started playing volleyball when I was six. My parents signed me up in a local club (Demlova Jihlava) where I started practicing twice a week and I fell in love with the sport. I was always taller than other girls in my class, so it was not a surprise that I ended up playing volleyball.

What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?

Since I am an international student-athlete, my goal was always to combine sport and school together in college, but it is not very possible in the Czech Republic. I started looking into the direction of playing college sports in the United States. Assistant Coach Alex DelPiombo reached out to me that there could be a possibility of attending BGSU and playing for BGVB and after talking to her, Coach Tomic and the girls, I had no doubt in my mind that this place was going to be my second home and it is. I am forever grateful that they gave me the opportunity to be a member of BGVB because it is truly a privilege.

In your three years with BGVB, you’ve played in three MAC Championships and earned a spot in the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament. What are some of the things that have made this team so successful?

Unity. Our team works very well together. The coaching staff and the players work very hard on building relationships with each other and we know how important that is in order to be successful. In all three years that I have been part of the team, we have had great leaders that always lead the team in the right direction. We play for each other and that is the most important factor, in my opinion.

Last season were named MAC Player of the Year and became the first All-American in BGVB history. How did you feel when you learned you earned those honors?

I was happy of course, but volleyball is a team sport and individual performances could not be accomplished without all the people that are on the court and on the sidelines. I am grateful for my teammates and staff that help me be better for the team every day. Individual awards are nice, but team success is all that matters.

You are an international business major at BGSU. What made you decide to study in that field, and what are your career goals after college?

I was always interested to study some field of business and since I am studying in a foreign country, international business sounded like a good idea. My goal after college is to play volleyball for few years and after my volleyball career is over, I would like to work for an agency that helps young student-athletes from different countries find a school and play a college sport in the United States.

What is your go-to restaurant in Bowling Green?

The Mexican restaurant Lupita.

Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?

Definitely my parents and my brother. Both of my parents are very active, and they both played sports. They always led me and my brother to sports from young age and we are both very grateful for that. My brother is a professional volleyball player, so he has always been a role model to me. Also, my grandfather was a national champion in cycleball (basically soccer on a bike) so he also inspired me to become an athlete.

Do you have any pre-game or game-day rituals? If so, when and how did they start?

I have many gameday rituals, but not as many as Coach Ali. For example, I tie my shoes in order and I use the same pair of leggings for games.

Where is your favorite spot on campus and why?

I like to go to the new business building because it is beautiful.

Do you have any fun trips or events planned for the summer?

I went on few trips with my parents this summer and the next trip that is on the list is to fly back to Bowling Green. I am really excited about it because it has been too long without seeing all the girls and friends that I have in BG.

You are from Jihlava, Czech Republic. What is something people should know about your hometown?

Jihlava is the oldest mining town in the Czech Republic. Jihlava has tunnels underground that are under the whole city and are 26km long. They are almost like a labyrinth under the ground.

Who is the funniest player on the team and why?

It is very hard to pick one because I think we are all very funny. If I would have to pick one though, it would probably be Mia Tyler.