Since 2022, the Gophers volleyball team has recruited the top in-state player each year. Two years ago, Prior Lake’s Julia Hanson traded her navy and gold threads for maroon and gold.
Hanson joined the Gophers among a recruiting class that ranked fifth in the nation. The four new Gophers included Carter Booth, Mckenna Wucherer and Chloe Ng.
But after the 2022 season, the team took on a new identity. Booth transferred to the team’s border rival, Wisconsin, and the Gophers head coach at the time, Hugh McCutcheon, transitioned to a new role. Hanson, Ng and Wucherer stayed with the Gophers.
Last season, the Gophers finished with a 17-13 overall record under their new coaching staff and outside hitter Taylor Landfair transferred to the 2023 NCAA national runner-ups, Nebraska.
With a hole on the starting roster, head coach Keegan Cook put his veteran outside hitter into the starting lineup.
“Julia had the potential to have a pretty impactful year for us,” Cook said. “She’s been probably the most consistent performer.”
In the new season, Hanson helped the Gophers upset Texas, who at the time were ranked No. 1. Five days later, Hanson posted a career-best 23 kills against Texas Christian University.
After her breakthrough start to the season, Hanson knows there is no time to be timid.
“Now it’s my time and I want to prove to everyone what I can do,” Hanson said. “Holding back is not going to help me.”
Hanson averaged .64 kills per set in 2023. She played in all 30 matches off the bench, but as a freshman, played in only 10 games. Her mother, Lisa Hanson, said this moment has been something she has been waiting for since the first time she stepped onto campus.
“It’s been so exciting to see her play at the outside hitter position,” Lisa Hanson said. “I think now she’s making the most out of the opportunity she’s been given.”
Hanson credited her recent success to the support of her teammates and the people around her. Wucherer, Hanson’s freshman-year roommate, said she saw Hanson’s potential and knew her time was coming.
“Julia is a stud,” Wucherer said. “I’ve loved going to battle with her ever since I came to Minnesota.”
Hanson said her recruitment to Minnesota went quickly. After going to a camp at the University, she got on the phone with McCutcheon and later got an offer from the school.
Hanson said she chose Minnesota for her desire to stay home and play in the Big Ten conference.
Hanson surprised many last season when she hit 19 kills against Indiana on Nov. 12, 2023. Since then, Cook challenged her to raise the bar for herself.
So far, he has liked what he has seen.
Cook said Hanson gets aggressive on the floor and uses different techniques to be effective on offense. According to Cook, there is a pattern of Hanson’s ability to create offense consistently.
“No matter how the match is going she is always a threat,” Cook said. “She’s being pretty courageous.”
Cook said that in the biggest moments, Hanson ignites behind the ball. Her jumping ability has set her apart.
“Started getting aggressive like we talked about,” Cook said. “And hit the ball high with range, turning balls high in the angle and mixing in some offspeed.”
Hanson will look to continue her stellar play as the Gophers open Big Ten play Wednesday against the No. 7 ranked Badgers at Maturi Pavilion.
