October 14, 2024 (Photos courtesy of Jen Sheppard)
Meet Juliana Stingle, the dynamic force behind West Morris Central’s volleyball team. Stingle’s remarkable athletic prowess has cemented her status as a key player, making waves with her exceptional statistics. For the 2024 season, Juliana has taken control of setting duties and has racked up 339 assists, near the top in the state, demonstrating her versatility and skill. She has also broken out this season slamming 26 aces so far on the year.
Stingle’s impact goes beyond her impressive stats. Her powerful serves and strategic plays have become a staple for her team, showcasing her knack for rising to the occasion. As just a junior, Stingle’s leadership on the court is evident; she commands respect and inspires her teammates to elevate their game. Fans and coaches alike admire her for the dedication and intensity she brings to every match.
In this exclusive interview, Stingle opens up about her journey in volleyball, the hurdles she’s overcome, and her aspirations for the future. She shares insights into her training regimen, the camaraderie with her teammates, and the exhilaration of competition. Get ready to take a deep dive into the mind of one of high school volleyball’s brightest stars and uncover the passion that fuels her performance.
Here is our interview with Ms. Stingle…
Hi Juliana…
You have burst onto the scene as a junior and are making a major impact for WMC as setter and are near the top of the state in assists. Tell us about your junior year thus far?
My junior year has started off very well. The new team has come together as one even though it is almost a brand new set of girls. Being on this team is my version of therapy, especially after a long school day. If I’m being honest, I didn’t think that it would be possible to be near the top of the state in assists after playing outside last year but it is definitely a dream come true.
You had a brilliant match, posting 33 assists in the Wolfpack’s thrilling three set win over Wayne Valley. Tell us about that night.
That night was definitely a memorable game especially since it was a big win after two losses. Everyone’s energy was through the roof and we did not let anything get to us. We didn’t let the other team go on runs while also not letting ourselves get too comfortable. This was one of our best games; it was not an easy win but we made sure to fight till the end.
Tell us about your family?
The “volleyball” side of my family is my mom’s side of the family. My parents and my aunts and uncles all met through volleyball and all of the girl cousins as well as me and my sister play. My aunt and uncle (along with two family friends) opened their non-profit volleyball club, Xtreme Volleyball Academy, 9 years ago, that has become my second home. I am blessed to have had my aunts and uncles with me on this journey. They are the ones who got me to where I am today and they have helped me through everything when it comes to volleyball and life outside of the game.
Who is your role model?
My role model is Zoe Fleck. She won the 2022 NCAA title, and was, twice, named AVCA All-American. Her determination and drive when she’s on the court is something I look up to a lot. She always gives her all and that is something that I admire about her. She never gives up on the ball and she is a leader on whatever court she’s on.
What inspired you to start playing volleyball?
When I was younger, I always saw my older cousins and sister in the yard passing the ball and I always wanted to join. I’ve always had my sister and cousins to look up to when it came to volleyball as well as my parents, aunts and uncles. Once I started really playing for the first time at around 7, I immediately fell in love with the sport.
What do you love most about volleyball?
Volleyball is the one thing that I am most passionate about and something that I have the most motivation for. I have been playing since I was 7 and I hope it will continue to make a big impact on my life in the future. The thing I love most about volleyball is the adrenaline rush that I get whenever I’m on the court whether it’s practice, a States game, or a multi-day tournament. It always makes my day 100 times better because it is something that I love to do and I don’t know what I’d do without it. Another thing is the connections I get to make with so many others whether or not we are on the same team. We all share the same love for the sport and it’s nice to relate to people that way. I have met some of my closest friends, as well as my best friend, because of playing club. It is also always the best to see and play against my club teammates during the high school season because it creates a whole different level of competition.
Do you aspire to play volleyball at the collegiate level? What field do you plan to pursue?
It has been a dream of mine to play in college since I was really young. I always watched the older girls go off and play and since then decided that it was my goal, too. I am, at the moment, thinking of going into early childhood education and/or special education.
The NJAC American division showcases some of the premier volleyball teams in NJ. How do you gauge your division competitiveness compared to other teams in the state.
I definitely think that we are in a very strong division. All of the teams we play are very competitive and all have the drive to win. Playing against these teams makes us better and makes us stay on top of everything. There is no such thing as an easy win or game against these teams that we play, which makes the games much more fun and the atmosphere much more alive.
Who would you say are your top influencers/mentors?
My top mentors are all of my coaches at Xtreme and Coach Balella. All of these coaches have helped me become who I am today and I am so grateful to all of them. Even though I haven’t had all of the coaches as my team coach, they have taught me things that I use everyday. I am especially lucky that my aunts and uncles take time out of their day to help me when I need to work on things, even if it’s for 30 minutes. They are always there to help me whether it’s watching film with me or going to Xtreme and helping me get reps. All these coaches have been my biggest supporters and I am so lucky to call them my second family. I am also so happy to have had Coach Balella as my high school coach since I was a freshman. He coached my sister as well and while I was a little scared of him when I was younger, he has become one of my top supporters. Whether he’s diving on the floor for every ball during practice or giving us that look when we say something ridiculous, he is always there to lift us up.
Tell us about your teammates at WMC.
All of us have become very, very close on and off the court. Whether we’re getting each other ready for each game or laughing till we cry, we are always there for each other. We tell each other everything and anything and it really bonds us closer together. I’ve known some of these girls since 6th grade and some that I just met last year but it feels like I’ve known them for forever.
What else would you like us to know about you?
I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember. I got to start off my club career when I was 9 years old on the 14’s team, as a lib, at Xtreme. I played lib for about 2 years until I began to play outside for a year, then began training as a setter, then went back to playing outside for a year in club and high school and am now back to setting. I am willing and love playing any position. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that being flexible as a player makes you more valuable to your team, and that’s what I want to be – a great teammate who can contribute no matter what the team needs.
