Julia Arnold’s contributions as libero have been pivotal for the Bisons women’s volleyball team throughout the 2024-25 season, leading the national rankings with 288 digs and 3.89 digs per set. Arnold has proven to be a defensive anchor for her team.

Julia Arnold talked about her experience as an athlete going into her sixth season.

The Manitoban: What’s the biggest factor in your success this season?

Arnold: I think this season in particular is a culmination of all the work I have put in coming into this year. I mean, this is my sixth year on the varsity team, and I played club for the junior Bisons for many years before that. So, I think all my years spent with coach Ken has really set me up for success leading into my last year. And I think all the training that we put in, and my teammates have really pushed me to be better. So, this year has just been a culmination of all that.

M: You are a libero and your role is all about anticipation and quick reactions. What’s the key to reading an opponent’s attack?

A: There’s lots of things that go into it. But I do video before we play a lot and focusing on the tendencies of the hitters that are on the other side of the net. And I think the more you play, the more you become accustomed to reading opponents in the way that they are set up, like where their body’s facing, where the block is, the options that they have in front of them. So, I think just with time comes the ability to read the opportunities that the other hitters have on the other side of the net, and you’re not always going to get it right. But I think as you become a more experienced player, it becomes easier and easier to do that.

M: What is the area of your game you have worked the hardest to improve over the years?

A: Personally, I think I’ve worked really hard on becoming a good leader and I think that’s an area of the game that isn’t all technical work. Being a good leader has taken time for me to develop and I’ve had to make changes as both an athlete and as a person to get to this point and on the technical side of things I’d say serve receive is an ongoing battle. It’s a really important part of the game, and I think obviously the play doesn’t start until you pass the ball.

M: Most athletes have some pre-game rituals or mental strategies. Do you have any?

A: I’m not a very superstitious person where I have to do a certain thing before every game. I know it might sound silly, but I like getting my hair braided by one of my teammates before the game because it puts me in the best position to play. I know it might sound silly, but I like being put together and I think that’s a really big part of my pre-game ritual.

M: If you had to give your younger self any advice about volleyball, what would it be?

A: One of the things that we say a lot is trust the process. So I think I would tell her to do that and to just keep working and don’t listen to what anybody else is saying on the outside. Just stay in your bubble, stay with your teammates and your coach and trust that the work you are putting in now will pay off in the end.

M: What is your expectations for this season?

A: Our expectations have been in pretty high coming into the season because we know the calibre of volleyball that we can play. So, I think from the beginning of the season, being the host for nationals this year, our goal has always been to win and that starts with winning our quarter-final in Canada West, and then our semifinal and then our final.