Julia Hanson, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Prior Lake (MN) High, was the top player in the state this year. She was named to the South Suburban all-conference team three times and All-state twice. Hanson was the StarTribune Metro Player of the Year.
Hanson was second in the state in kills with 537 and helped Prior Lake to a 7-2 record in the South Suburban Conference and a 14-15 overall record. She finished her high school career with 1,490 kills, 31 assists, 106 blocks, 89 aces and 712 digs.
GopherHole caught up with Hanson last Thursday to learn more about her commitment and expectations as a freshman.
GopherHole: We are doing this interview minutes after the Minnesota-Baylor match. What is it like watching your future team when you can’t really do anything to help them?
Julia Hanson: It was really fun to watch them and see them work hard and compete and play their hearts out for a big match that they took the win on.
GopherHole: What would it mean to you to have the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament?
Julia Hanson: It would be everything. It’s like my dream. I would love to play in the NCAA Tournament and become a national champion.
GopherHole: What was the main reason you decided the Minnesota was where you wanted to play college volleyball?
Julia Hanson: I think just representing my home state and being able to wear “Minnesota” on my back and the coaches. I love all the coaches and that was another big reason that I chose Minnesota.
GopherHole: You were named the 2021 Ms. Baden Volleyball Award winner as a senior. What does that honor mean to you?
Julia Hanson: It just shows all the hard work that I put into everything and it finally paid off.
GopherHole: You played in probably the toughest conference in the state this season with lots of Division I athletes. How much do you think that has helped you develop as a player by playing in the South Suburban Conference?
Julia Hanson: Oh, yes. It’s helped a lot because even as a freshman and sophomore, it was way harder and we didn’t do as good, but I really thought it helped me become a strong athlete and being able to compete with everybody at every level.
GopherHole: How would you describe yourself as a player?
Julia Hanson: I am very, very competitive. Very, very competitive and I think my ability to jump really high and be able to see the block really helps with my swinging and having a quick arm is something that I have, too.
GopherHole: What other things are you competitive in?
Julia Hanson: Mainly volleyball.
GopherHole: When are you planning on enrolling at the U of M?
Julia Hanson: I am actually going early. I am going January 14th.
GopherHole: How much do you think that is going to help you by enrolling early and being able to work out with the team and get acclimated with school?
Julia Hanson: That’s going to help a lot just because I can focus on my schooling before the actual season starts. I can get ahead with that and figure out how to be a student before I become an athlete that is actually competiting in games and just becoming stronger, I think will help a lot, too.
GopherHole: The Gophers have a previous Prior Lake athlete C.C. McGraw on the team? How well do you know her?
Julia Hanson: I was in eighth grade when she was a senior, so I didn’t really get to know her very well, so I wouldn’t say that I know her super well, but we know each other.
GopherHole: What has she told you about Minnesota?
Julia Hanson: That it is a great program. Coaches are great and everything about it is awesome.
GopherHole: She also left Prior Lake early to enroll at the “U.” Have you talked to her about the benefit of that as well?
Julia Hanson: Not really. I haven’t really talked to her about that, but I have been talking to her counselor about it and everything that she had to do to get prepared for it.
GopherHole: You played for the Northern Lights program. How much has that helped you with your volleyball?
Julia Hanson: A lot. That program is very, very strong and the coaching staff is amazing and they really helped with my game and making it better.
GopherHole: Minnesota signed an excellent recruiting class with you, middle blocker Carter Booth, setter Chloe Ng and outside hitter McKenna Wucherer. How well have you gotten to know those three?
Julia Hanson: I have gotten to know McKenna pretty well and Carter pretty well, but I haven’t actually met Chloe yet, because she just committed. I’ll be living with Carter and McKenna in January, so I’ll get to know them a lot better.
GopherHole: How do you feel that your talents will work together at Minnesota?
Julia Hanson: I think it will be very good. Me and McKenna both have a similar style of play. We both jump high and hit hard and have a very high volleyball IQ. Carter is just really, really good at everything.
GopherHole: Have you seen them a lot in the AAU circuits?
Julia Hanson: I haven’t, only because they have always played up, so then I wouldn’t see them at tournaments or anything.
GopherHole: Did you play any other sports growing up?
Julia Hanson: I was actually a gymnast until about sixth grade and then I started volleyball. I think gymnastics helps me with my volleyball stuff
GopherHole: In what ways do you think it helps you in terms of agility and things like that?
Julia Hanson: Being able to jump, gymnastics really helps with that, too.
GopherHole: What do you like to do away from the court?
Julia Hanson: I really like to hang out with my friends and family and watch Netflix and just relax.
GopherHole: What are you watching now on Netflix?
Julia Hanson: I think I am watching Criminal Minds for like the third time or I just finished The Blacklist.
GopherHole: You are also a nanny. I’m assuming that you have to be patient. What things have you learned from that experience of being a nanny?
Julia Hanson: Like you said, just patience. The kids are not too young, so I kind of just drive them everywhere, to all their school sports and stuff. Being patient and just helping with all the stuff that they need help with, like getting ready for every sport.
GopherHole: Have you thought about your college major at all yet?
Julia Hanson: Not really. I kind of want to go into something with sports, but that’s kind of all I know.