North Carolina State University Athletics
Photo by: Ken Martin
Brown Excelling in New Role for NC State Volleyball
9/20/2016 4:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Taking on a larger role from one season to the next is a normal progression in sports especially at the collegiate level, but for NC State volleyball's Julia Brown her role has nearly doubled from a season ago. In 2015, Brown played three rotations as an outside hitter and now plays all six rotations for the Wolfpack this year.
The added game time has allowed the junior to flourish offensively for NC State. Brown is fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) this season with 174 kills and third in the league with 3.95 kills per set, both of which lead the Wolfpack.
"Maggie Speaks has been doing a great job this year at setter for us and we've been connecting really well, which has allowed me to be successful," said Brown. "We've been working hard in practice to have a good connection and really get the tempo of our outside sets down and it's been improving all season, so hopefully it will continue into ACC play."
The Davidson, N.C., native has charted double-digit kills in nine of the Pack's 12 matches this year, headlined by eight consecutive contests with at least 10 kills.
Brown's strong start to the season has helped NC State conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 7-5 record, highlighted by a five-set victory against SMU, a 2015 NCAA Tournament team, and Boise State, a team that won 23 matches a season ago.
"We've had a great preseason and we've played some really good teams," Brown added. "We've learned a lot from each match and it's really prepared us, I think for ACC play. I think as we head into conference matches, we'll really benefit from everyone we've played so far."
In NC State's 3-1 win against Texas Arlington, Brown recorded a career-best 21 kills, topping her previous career high of 18 set against Notre Dame last season. Since that match, she has equaled her career best twice, against SMU and UNCW.
 "I'm just excited to continue working hard and get started with conference play," said Brown. "The level of play will be so high and you know there's so many great outside hitters in the ACC. I hope that we continue to be able to play as well against these teams with these great hitters and middle blockers."
An honorable mention Under Armour All-American in high school, the NC State standout has garnered all-tournament team honors in two of the Wolfpack's three preseason tournaments. She claimed the honor following the Ole Miss Invitational and was also named to the Wolfpack Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Brown has carried the bulk of the load this year for the Pack volleyball team, as she leads the conference and ranks 21st in the NCAA with 11.43 attacks per set. On average, she has taken around 42 swings per contest, resulting in approximately 15 kills a match.
During the summer Brown says the team focused on weight training and their conditioning to put themselves in the best position for success this season. With the opening of the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum and a new coaching staff, she noticed a new excitement within the team.
"I think this year we were really excited for this fresh start with it being our first season with a new coaching staff and the newly renovated Reynolds, we're all just really committed to getting on the same page and it's been so special because everyone is really bought in."
In addition to her responsibilities on offense, Brown has also been getting it done defensively. Heading into the season, she had 47 career digs in 48 matches played and surpassed that total in five matches this year. For the season, she has the second most digs on the team with 126 and has tallied five double-double performances.
Brown credits her success on the defensive end to the Wolfpack's senior libero Rachel Eppley, whom she has learned a great deal in regards to playing the back row.
"Rachel has helped me a lot because she knows so much about reading the hitters and she's been really patient with me to teach me everything I need to know."
With ACC play beginning Thursday for the NC State volleyball team, Brown hopes to carry the momentum from the preseason over to the conference portion of its schedule. She feels the team is very prepared for the rigors of the league schedule with due to its tough non-conference slate.
"I'm so excited to start ACC play and that we get to host UNC-Chapel Hill. They're a great team and it will be a great game for sure, it's always lots of fun to play them.
"I feel so blessed to be here and be a part of the first team to play in the newly renovated Reynolds. I've been an NC State fan my whole life, I've been coming to Reynolds Coliseum since I was in elementary school going to volleyball and basketball games and gymnastic meets. I feel so honored to be a part of one of the first teams to play in the new Reynolds and get to represent the Wolfpack. I'm just so excited for a great season."
First serve of Thursday's ACC opener against UNC-Chapel Hill is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
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The added game time has allowed the junior to flourish offensively for NC State. Brown is fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) this season with 174 kills and third in the league with 3.95 kills per set, both of which lead the Wolfpack.
"Maggie Speaks has been doing a great job this year at setter for us and we've been connecting really well, which has allowed me to be successful," said Brown. "We've been working hard in practice to have a good connection and really get the tempo of our outside sets down and it's been improving all season, so hopefully it will continue into ACC play."
The Davidson, N.C., native has charted double-digit kills in nine of the Pack's 12 matches this year, headlined by eight consecutive contests with at least 10 kills.
Brown's strong start to the season has helped NC State conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 7-5 record, highlighted by a five-set victory against SMU, a 2015 NCAA Tournament team, and Boise State, a team that won 23 matches a season ago.
"We've had a great preseason and we've played some really good teams," Brown added. "We've learned a lot from each match and it's really prepared us, I think for ACC play. I think as we head into conference matches, we'll really benefit from everyone we've played so far."
In NC State's 3-1 win against Texas Arlington, Brown recorded a career-best 21 kills, topping her previous career high of 18 set against Notre Dame last season. Since that match, she has equaled her career best twice, against SMU and UNCW.
 "I'm just excited to continue working hard and get started with conference play," said Brown. "The level of play will be so high and you know there's so many great outside hitters in the ACC. I hope that we continue to be able to play as well against these teams with these great hitters and middle blockers."
An honorable mention Under Armour All-American in high school, the NC State standout has garnered all-tournament team honors in two of the Wolfpack's three preseason tournaments. She claimed the honor following the Ole Miss Invitational and was also named to the Wolfpack Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Brown has carried the bulk of the load this year for the Pack volleyball team, as she leads the conference and ranks 21st in the NCAA with 11.43 attacks per set. On average, she has taken around 42 swings per contest, resulting in approximately 15 kills a match.
During the summer Brown says the team focused on weight training and their conditioning to put themselves in the best position for success this season. With the opening of the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum and a new coaching staff, she noticed a new excitement within the team.
"I think this year we were really excited for this fresh start with it being our first season with a new coaching staff and the newly renovated Reynolds, we're all just really committed to getting on the same page and it's been so special because everyone is really bought in."
In addition to her responsibilities on offense, Brown has also been getting it done defensively. Heading into the season, she had 47 career digs in 48 matches played and surpassed that total in five matches this year. For the season, she has the second most digs on the team with 126 and has tallied five double-double performances.
Brown credits her success on the defensive end to the Wolfpack's senior libero Rachel Eppley, whom she has learned a great deal in regards to playing the back row.
"Rachel has helped me a lot because she knows so much about reading the hitters and she's been really patient with me to teach me everything I need to know."
With ACC play beginning Thursday for the NC State volleyball team, Brown hopes to carry the momentum from the preseason over to the conference portion of its schedule. She feels the team is very prepared for the rigors of the league schedule with due to its tough non-conference slate.
"I'm so excited to start ACC play and that we get to host UNC-Chapel Hill. They're a great team and it will be a great game for sure, it's always lots of fun to play them.
"I feel so blessed to be here and be a part of the first team to play in the newly renovated Reynolds. I've been an NC State fan my whole life, I've been coming to Reynolds Coliseum since I was in elementary school going to volleyball and basketball games and gymnastic meets. I feel so honored to be a part of one of the first teams to play in the new Reynolds and get to represent the Wolfpack. I'm just so excited for a great season."
First serve of Thursday's ACC opener against UNC-Chapel Hill is slated for 7 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on the ACC Network Extra. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
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