The NCAA Volleyball season has been buzzing with excitement ever since it kicked off over a month ago, and the energy is still going strong! Recently, the latest AVCA rankings dropped, with Pittsburgh and Nebraska firmly holding the top two spots, while Penn State remains comfortably within the top six. But just days ago, a dramatic rematch took place when No. 3 Penn State sought redemption against No. 7 Wisconsin, who had ended their season in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Badgers, however, proved too much for the Nittany Lions, dominating them 3-0.

Despite efforts from players like Caroline Jurevicius, who strung together a series of powerful kills to close the gap, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. But don’t let that score fool you–Jurevicius is a force to be reckoned with. This outside hitter, a redshirt freshman majoring in communication, brings a competitive edge that’s clearly in her blood. Her athleticism? It comes from a family of athletes, making her a standout player ready to make waves in the volleyball world! So who is the athlete in her family?

Caroline Jurevicius’ athletic family!

You got that right! Caroline Jurevicius isn’t the only one who’s made waves in the athletic world! But where does her fierce determination come from? Well, let’s talk about her dad, Joe Jurevicius, an ex-NFL wide receiver and a man of quite a reputation. An NFL champion with Tampa Bay in the 2002 season, Joe played a total of 11 years in the NFL and achieved 29 touchdown receptions with 4,000 plus receiving yards.

Prior to that, he played college football at Penn State University, where he ended his collegiate career with 94 receptions for 1,894 yards and 15 touchdowns! So, could that be where Caroline gets her athleticism from? Well, wait a minute, it does not end here! Caroline’s mum, Meagan, was also a track star at Princeton University–what a sporting family!

But with such a powerhouse background, how has Caroline’s career been unfolding so far? And how much does her family shape her journey on and off the court? With a dad who battled through knee surgeries and a staph infection to keep going, then transitioned into coaching, it’s clear the Jurevicius family is built on resilience.

The Jurevicius’ affair!

Ah, but there’s a twist to Caroline Jurevicius’ story! It wasn’t until last year that she found her way to Penn State Volleyball. Before that, she was a freshman at Nebraska, where she played a backup role to All-American right-side hitter Merritt Beason. After Nebraska’s season ended in a heartbreaking national championship loss, Caroline entered the NCAA transfer portal, just one day after the final whistle blew in Tampa, Florida. She didn’t see action on the court that season, but with four years of eligibility still remaining, her journey was far from over. Ranked as the No. 17 recruit nationally and No. 3 opposite hitter at that time by Prepvolleyball.com, it was clear that Caroline had immense potential.

Fast forward to this season, and Caroline has quickly proven herself. Just a few weeks ago, when No. 7 Penn State of that time took on Temple in their second match of the year, Caroline led the charge with nine kills on 17 attacks, helping Penn State control the game from start to finish. It’s clear that, just like her athletic family, Caroline is here to make her mark and leave her legacy. And as her dad, Joe Jurevicius, says, “I love my girls (Caroline and Ava). They’re my best friends. On the flip side of it, it’s not my job to be their best friend. I’ve always tried to teach them how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

And as if that wasn’t enough, Caroline’s sister, Ava, is following in her footsteps. She recently became the fifth member of the 2025 Penn State women’s volleyball recruiting class, committing to the Nittany Lions a few months ago. With the Jurevicius family continuing to make waves, it’s no surprise that athleticism runs deep in their veins. Together, they’re creating a legacy at Penn State that will be hard to forget!