|
NAME:
Julia Grace
SCHOOL:
Notre Dame Academy
SPORT(S):
Volleyball
GRADUATING
YEAR:
2025
GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT:
Winning state sophomore year for volleyball
BIRTHDATE:
10/14/2006
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:
5'5"-126 lbs.
RESIDENCE:
Villa Hills, Ky.
PARENTS:
Corey & Courtney
BIGGEST
INFLUENCE:
“My sister.”
FUTURE
GOAL:
”Beat record for most career digs; win state this year”
Notre Dame Academy senior Julia Grace, a 2024 second-team MaxPreps' All-American, already had a volleyball state championship to her credit and this season was striving for another one. Once again, she was one of the top players in Northern Kentucky in digs and was named Cincinnati Enquirer Northern Kentucky Player of the Year, MVP of the 35th District tournament, Ninth Region tournament MVP, Ninth Region Player of the Year, first-team all-state and the KVCA Defensive Player of the Year. In 37 matches she had 647 digs, 65 assists, 53 aces and three kills.
The Pandas won the state title in 2022 and were state runners-up last season. This past season, the Pandas' play ended with a loss to Assumption in the state semifinals, denying the program an 11th state title. The Pandas did, however, win a third straight Ninth Region championship.
Libero Julia also was named a MaxPreps' All-American in 2023. A defensive specialist, she led the team with 487 digs and 48 aces. She also had 115 assists and she has committed to continue her stellar play collegiately at Xavier University. Her junior season, she was Conference Player of the Year, first-team all-Northern Kentucky (Enquirer), MVP of the district and regional tournaments and was named to the Kentucky state all-tournament team. She was also second-team all-state and a candidate for Sports Illustrated's Best Libero in the Nation award.
The summer prior to her senior season, Julia was a member of the Northern Kentucky Volleyball Club select team (NKYVC Tsunami) that placed fifth at the USA Volleyball 17-under national tournament in Las Vegas, and she was a member of the all-tournament team.
Also a track & field competitor, last season she was part of the 4x100 track team that broke a 33-year-old school record when they ran a 50.56 at the St. Henry's Invitational. It was the school's oldest track record.
A good student (first-team academic all-state) who is active in community service, her favorite athlete is Morgan Hentz, favorite entertainer is Megan Maroney, favorite book is The Summer I Turned Pretty and most-like-to-meet is Zach Bryan.
COACH'S QUOTE
–
“Julia has been the heartbeat of our team during her junior and senior seasons. Her skillset has become something that is noticeably critical to our team success, and her work ethic is contagious and inspires those around her to work hard and have fun in the challenges. She has an enormous heart and loves to compete. These qualities make her a top-notch athlete but an even better teammate and player to coach, and the same can be said of her academically. Overall, she is a model student-athlete that any coach or teacher is blessed to get to work and grow with!”
—Leslie Litmer, Varsity Volleyball Coach
|
