Julia Hanson is a sophomore from Savage, Minn. and Prior Lake High School. She played in 10 matches (24 sets) as a true freshman in 2022 and posted 1.54 points, 1.38 kills and 0.33 blocks per set. She tallied a career-best 14 kills on Aug. 31 at No. 1 Texas.
Take us through the athletic background of your family. I know you come from one that is big into sports. JH: My dad (Dan) played football and hockey at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. My older brother Nick played baseball at Prior Lake and was a third round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2016. He went to the minor leagues from high school but he retired due to injuries last year.
 Have you been a Minnesotan your whole life or have you lived elsewhere? JH: I've been here my whole life. My mom grew up in a small town called Morgan, Minnesota and my dad is from South Minneapolis. My mom actually lived on a farm when she was younger and we'd always go visit my grandparents out there. I loved it. It was really fun to go there with my cousins and some of my best memories growing up were there.
Julia and her brother Nick pose for a picture during a trip to Arizona.Was volleyball always your first love growing up? JH: When I was young, I was very into gymnastics so I was always in the gym. I did it for eight years before I quit in sixth grade. I used to play basketball too. It wasn't until I was in sixth grade where I even tried volleyball. One of my neighbors and I would play in our yard and that's when I first got into it. I joined a club team in seventh grade and the rest is history.
How did your first year of competitive volleyball go in seventh grade? JH: I just remember I couldn't even hit it on the court. I would go up and swing as hard as I could and it would go off the back wall or the scoreboard. I was so bad that first year.
 Obviously now you have amazing athletic ability, especially your jumping. Was that something you were good at even as a kid? JH: I think the jumping came from gymnastics. I was constantly jumping. We had to put ankle weights on our feet during workouts. I was able to work a lot on my quick twitch muscles. I'm not the tallest player but my jumping really helps give me an edge.
Julia completing a beam routine back in her gymnastics days.
 How soon into high school did you make the varsity team? Did it take awhile since you kind of got into volleyball later? JH: In eighth grade I got put on 9A because the older group was very good ahead of us. But we had a stacked team my eighth grade year and we only lost like two games. As a freshman, I made varsity, where I played the next four years.Â
Did you ever play with [former Gopher] CC McGraw at Prior Lake? JH: I was in eighth grade and she was a senior, so no. I wasn't quite ready to play varsity yet. She was actually my coach in youth camps and club Prior Lake stuff. She didn't tell this to me but apparently she was telling other people and the coaches 'this girl is going to be really good one day.' Then we got to play with each other last year in college, which was crazy to me. I looked up to her and she coached me when I was younger, and then I played with her. It was just really fun.
What was your best high school memory at Prior Lake? JH: My senior year was great. We all got along so well and knew how to play with one another on the court. We were beating teams that we shouldn't have because of our bond. Beating our rivals Shakopee was my favorite memory. Both teams had big student sections and the crowd was packed. We beat them in five sets.
 When did you start to realize volleyball could take you somewhere? JH: I started getting recruited a little bit in eighth grade. After high school in ninth grade it was constant. I actually committed the summer after my freshman year of high school. It was crazy because I had no idea about college volleyball when I started getting recruited, so I had to do a lot of research. Obviously, I knew a good amount about Minnesota volleyball, so once they came into the picture I knew this is what I wanted. When I got off the phone after my offer, I told my parents that I wanted to commit.
 So you basically went from not playing volleyball ever to being committed to Minnesota within two and a half years? JH: Basically. Looking back on it all, it happened so fast. My parents were really excited for me and I couldn't be happier I made that decision to come to Minnesota.
 What was your recruitment to Minnesota like? JH: I went to one smaller camp, I think Mckenna [Wucherer] was there also. After that, I got on the phone with [former head coach] Hugh [McCutcheon] and the offer came soon after that. It went pretty quickly.
 Were you a fan of college volleyball before you committed? JH: Once I started getting recruited, I started to watch way more games and learn about some of the big time programs. A friend of mine growing up had season tickets to Minnesota volleyball, so I went with her family to some games. That helped influence me to come to games as well. I loved how often games sold out and how much people care.
One of your first games at Minnesota, you had 14 kills on the road at No. 1 Texas in the craziest environment we played in all season. How did you step up like that? JH: I honestly couldn't tell you. I was playing right-side, which I hadn't even played in a game until then. I just told myself I was going to go out there and have fun. I had nothing to lose. If I wasn't doing my best, they were going to put someone else in, which was fine. I just thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to go play at Texas. So I just played free and let it all loose. I was nervous in my first couple rotations but then I just got comfortable.
Julia and her parents last year during the trip to TCU.So you played some outside, some right-side last year. Are you someone that just wants to do whatever they can to help the team? JH: I don't care what position I play. I like both positions and I can even play DS. I did that in Hawai'i and in the spring. I'm excited that I've gotten to practice right-side more this year too. Getting used to the footwork has been key. [Assistant coach] Ky [Munoz] has really helped me with that.
 The team went through a coaching change in December. What was your mindset during that time of transition? JH: I always wanted to be here and never thought of leaving. The biggest thing was like: 'am I going to have a spot on this team and do they still want me?' It was a brand new staff and they had never seen me play. At the same time, I just thought I had an opportunity to show the coaches what I can do and it was a fresh start. They get to see me for who I am and I get to prove myself.
 What are some of the ways this new staff has helped make you feel comfortable? JH: I can't believe that was seven months ago already. I feel like I know them all so well. But the biggest thing was that [head coach] Keegan Cook would call me after practice and just be like 'talk to me.' Or one of our assistants would reach out and see if I was okay after a tough practice. I love that they just want to know about us. Keegan had us over to his house and he cooked for us. It's just been awesome.
Heading into the season, what goals do you have for the team and yourself? JH:Â I think winning the Big Ten and national titles are achievable. In the spring, we didn't even have our full team, and now we have [senior libero] Kylie [Murr], [senior middle] Phoebe [Awoleye] and [senior outside/opposite] Lydia [Grote], who each add something to the team. We need to push ourselves to get out of our comfort zone and make sure that we play as a team. Personally, I just want to work as hard as I can and find a spot on the court. I also want to be the best teammate I can.
Off the court, what do you like to do? JH:Â I like to watch Netflix and lay in bed. School-wise, I work really hard to make sure I'm keeping up and succeeding.
 Favorite Food: Osaka - Chicken Fried Rice Favorite Sport to Watch: Gymnastics and Baseball Fun Facts: Vertical jump is over 35 inches, I was a gymnast growing up and my thumbs are double jointed. Hidden Talent: I can still do a back handspring Netflix Show: Criminal Minds Pro Sports Team: Cincinnati Reds Vacation Spot: Cabo, Mexico Inspiration: My brother Nick
