Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball standout Julia Dunning will travel to the east coast of the U.S. for the next chapter of her collegiate career.
The 5-foot, 10-inch setter from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, recently signed a letter of intent to play for the Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia, beginning this fall.
“I’m so proud of Julia and very excited for where she has decided to go for her final two years as a student-athlete,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “She has been a joy to coach. She will continue to be a player who will make things happen, do whatever is asked of her and make her teammates around her better.
“She knows how to run the floor, and with the guidance she received from former Grizzly setter Susannah Kelley, Julia made a big difference for us this season,” Wiedemann added.
“I’ve always loved watching the growth in players when they come in with a learner’s attitude, and that’s exactly what she did. She worked through challenges and always put the team first. She worked her tail off to make a difference regardless of what she was asked to do. That doesn’t always happen when an athlete doesn’t accept whatever role the team needs. She gave us kills when we needed them, ran the floor and did it exceptionally well when we needed it, and won some big games for us,” the coach said.
This past season, Dunning recorded 84 kills, 628 assists, 137 digs, 34 total blocks and 113 points earned. She averaged .82 kills, 6.04 assists and 1.32 digs per game and hit .218.
Dunning also earned honorable mention NJCAA All-Region 16 Team honors.
“ODU is not only getting a great player, but a great student, as well,” Wiedemann said. “Julia is an exceptional player, exceptional student and has worked to become a leader on and off the floor. It has been great to watch her grow in so many ways. We will miss her.
“I’m really proud of and happy for her. It will be fun following her the next two years as a Monarch. I feel good about what she will be able to do for them, both athletically and academically, and hope he will continue to show what being a Grizzly is all about,” the coach added.
The Monarchs are an NCAA Division I program that competes in Conference USA.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit the team’s website, msuwpgrizzlies.com.
