Life as a collegiate volleyball star in the USA is pretty thrilling, truth be told. With a wide variety of tournaments constantly going on, the athletes have a lot to keep themselves busy. On top of that, the boom in professional volleyball only adds to the prospects. And yet, sometimes, being away from home for months can become a pressure you can’t escape. Maybe that’s why it’s been such a jovial thing for Wisconsin star Julia Orzol to finally see familiar faces after a long time.

While most of the Badgers stars are US citizens, outside hitter Orzol’s home is from across the pond. A Polish native, she’s a long way from home, making it difficult for her family to revel in the popularity Orzol enjoys in the USA. But that scenario recently changed, and the 2022 AVCA All-Region volleyball star couldn’t help but recall how the Wisconsin program has helped her experience some of the best moments in her life.

Away from home, Julia Orzol found herself among friendly colleagues

An article by Madison.com from November 30 narrates how being part of the Badgers locker room has been a scintillating journey for Orzol. Arriving in Wisconsin in the fall of 2021, the 22-year-old has had a significant impact on her colleagues. This year, the Madison girls finished their regular season with a 23-6 record (17-3 Big Ten), and Julian has been a centerpiece of the impressive campaign. But while she has had volleyball guide her path in college, Orzol also acknowledges that the “Wisconsin experience” has been something incredible overall.

“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,” Julia has been quoted saying in the Madison.com article. She also claimed after spending so long with the Badgers, she will find it difficult to adjust herself somewhere else, a thought that’s been constantly on her mind recently with her collegiate career coming to an end.

Orzol went on to state, “It’s definitely a privilege to be a part of this community and see what passion and support can do to a game and how it can elevate everyone’s experience…Even after losses, it’s all about people noticing that we are more than volleyball players,” noting that her time in Wisconsin has helped to expand her horizons to areas that she was previously oblivious to. Thankfully, she had her parents by her side on the night she ended her regular season, while also defeating Michigan State, to bring the whole ride to an emotional culmination.

An emotional end to senior night

However, playing for the Badgers wasn’t the first time that Julia had to live far away from her parents and family members: Piotr, Anna, and her younger brother Philip. But they never tried to hold Julia back from pursuing her dreams, either, she recalls. “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,” the volleyball star’s own words read on the Badgers official website. But the distance also stopped them from showing up in the stands to cheer for their daughter and the Wisconsin squad. In fact, Julia’s parents haven’t been able to do that in the four years she’s been here.

But that finally changed: Julia’s parents got to witness her in action during Wisconsin’s final four matches of the regular season. Thankfully, three wins also gave Anna and Piotr insights as to how the camaraderie helps their daughter and the other athletes to become better players together. Now that her NCAA stint inches closer, do you feel like Julia Orzol would want to get back closer to home? Or do you reckon the diverse options still to be explored in the USA would prompt her to extend the stay? Share your thoughts with us below!