In the USA, women’s volleyball is easily one of the most followed sports. In recent years, with the emergence of multiple professional tournaments in the country, this popularity has only grown. And still, the collegiate scene has its own fanbase. With the aim to help create future generations of stars, these programs are incredibly crucial for the country’s success on international stages. And yet, Julia Orzol has been able to carve out a name for herself within the highly competitive space.

Hailing all the way from Poland, Orzol arrived in Madison, Wisconsin in 2021, the same year the Badgers won their first-ever NCAA title. And now, as a senior, the outside hitter remains one of the central driving forces behind the team’s thunderous campaign. Got your attention? Interested in getting to know more about this 22-year-old collegiate volleyball star? Don’t worry, for we got you covered.

Meet Wisconsin star Julia Orzol’s mom and dad

For anyone to achieve success in life, it’s essential to have a strong support system. And thankfully, Julia was blessed with one in the form of her parents. While Piotr and Anna haven’t been able to watch their daughter in action during the years she’s been playing for the Badgers, they have continued to support Julia in every other way. Anna and her husband both work in law enforcement and have instilled discipline and resilience in their elder child, while also emphasizing the importance of education and maintaining focus on her goals.

Julia’s mom was especially elated by the career-changing opportunity that came her way, even though her limitation with the English language may have made it difficult to properly understand Kelly Sheffield’s plans for the volleyball athlete. The night before she left for the USA, Anna asked Julia to thank the Badgers head coach for giving her the chance to explore newer horizons. In a note after her arrival at the Wisconsin locker room, Orzol revealed how her parents have encouraged the volleyball athlete to pursue her dreams. “I’m a lucky girl because my parents are such great supporters of me and my love for volleyball. I didn’t hear, “Oh, you’re going so far and you shouldn’t do that.” Nothing like that. They feel that Wisconsin will be good for me,” she said. And Julia fit right in.

After moving from Poland, Julia Orzol made her new home in Wisconsin

“On the ride from the airport I noticed right away that Madison seems a lot like my hometown. The structures look alike. We have lakes where people can gather and watch the sun set. I love Madison already, but it isn’t new. It doesn’t feel all that unfamiliar to me,” Orzol remembers how she felt after her first glimpse of the Wisconsin city. Leaving her home and country so far behind, it was natural for her to have a nervous feeling in her gut when she arrived in a whole new place. But luckily, the city and her colleagues helped Orzol to settle down in no time.

“I had no idea that I was about to have one of the best moments of my life. I had no sense that all my weariness was about to be replaced by joy,” she said. Furthermore, how she was instantly made to feel comfortable by her new teammates, Orzol confessed, “I think it was the best thing they could have done to make me feel welcome. I could feel the team culture the moment they all came over to hug me. That was one of the most wonderful things to ever happen to me.”

She also notes how the “Wisconsin experience” has given a her fresh new outlook to life in general. “Back in Europe, it was always volleyball, volleyball, volleyball. It was the biggest priority for me. That hasn’t changed here. It’s still an important part of my life, but I see other aspects that are way more important, like community, that I hadn’t really recognized,” the Wisconsin State Journal quoted Julia saying in an article from November 30. Now, standing on the verge of leaving Madison, the Badgers senior acknowledges that it would be difficult to adjust anywhere else after this. However, considering the milestone achievements she has racked up during her time here, one can confidently she can relive her best days any time she wants.

Orzol’s career highlights and major achievements

The 2023 NCAA Regional All-Tournament team honoree was destined for greatness from an early age, and that’s exactly what caught coach Sheffield’s eye when he first saw him during a trip to Poland when the Badgers played against the U-20 Polish team. “They didn’t know her. She just joined the team a couple of weeks earlier. We played her again the next night, and man she was really good. I think she was only 16 at the time,” Sheffield said in 2021. Right after winning the national championship in her first year, Orzol was named 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year as well as getting a spot in the 2021 Big Ten All-Freshman Team. In 2022 and 2023, she added even more feathers to her cap including the Academic All-Big Ten, CSC Academic All-District, AVCA All-Region, and the NCAA Elite-90.

In her final home opener this year against UWM, Orzol recorded a season-high 14 kills and a career-best .684 hitting percentage. And now, she has one final run before riding into the sunset: the upcoming NCAA Championships next year. Where would fate take her from there? Will Julia stay back in the USA to dabble in the budding pro volleyball scene? Or would she take some time off and head back home for now? Tell us your predictions in a comment!