NDCL Head Coach Tom Ray describes junior Caroline Jurevicius on the court as a dynamic, high-flyer, and intense all the time.
NDCL Head Coach Tom Ray describes junior Caroline Jurevicius on the court as a dynamic, high-flyer, and intense all the time.
Even joking that he has seen Division I college coaches fall out of their chair watching her play because she is so intense on how she plays the game. It’s every coach’s dream because she brings it every touch.
That intensity and paired with her ability allowed Jurevicius to recently commit to the University of Nebraska. One of the top NCAA Volleyball programs in the Country, they’re currently the 10th-ranked team in the Nation according to the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll.
Jurevicius, 6-2, is one of the top Outside Hitter’s not only in the state, but the entire country. She is one of the top national recruits in the Class of 2023, she was named to VolleyballMag.com’s girls 25 underclassmen to watch list. She’s also one of Prep Dig’s top prospects in the 2023 class.
“I went to Nebraska’s Dream Team camp in July after Nationals, it was a jam packed volleyball summer, I came home and four days later I knew exactly where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. I called up Coach (Jon) Cook, Nebraska Head Volleyball Coach, at 10:30 at night and said I’m coming to Lincoln,” Jurevicius said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be around that caliber of coaches and players around me pushing me to get better.”
She was a Second-Team All-Ohioan as a sophomore while the Lions advanced to the State Championship game falling to Gilmour Academy, 3-2. She led the Lions with 241 kills as a sophomore including 19 kills in the state championship match. Jurevicius was one of four starters from the state title game returning for the Lions this year.
In the midst of her commitment to Nebraska, Jurevicius was one of 24 athletes selected by USA Volleyball as part of the 2021 Indoor Girls U18 National Training Team in July. She was then one of the 12 players chosen from the training team to compete at the FIVB U18 World Championship in Mexico this past September.
While in Mexico, the U18 National Team dropped their semifinal game to Italy, but then rebounded for the Bronze Medal with a 3-1 win over Serbia. The team finished with a 7-1 record that included going 4-0 in pool play.
“What I got to do down in Mexico with the best players I have ever seen in my life, was like nothing I have ever seen or done before,” Jurevicius said. “These girls worked so hard and being able to represent our country with them meant the world to me.”
The experience with the US National team was her first international playing experience.
“It was very, extremely fast and I think the mentality is a lot more go after everything,” Jurevicius said. “It’s a lot more intense and faster, but I think it changed me for the better as person and player”
Jurevicius also plays Club Volleyball for Academy Volleyball Cleveland. She was a 2020 Junior Volleyball Association All-National Team selection.
Jurevicius is also seen as a leader and role model for future Lions by her head coach.
“She is a humble and a sweet kid,” Ray said. “She goes out of her way to meet the new freshman, she takes them under her wing. She works at our volleyball camp, she works with the little girls, she keeps it down to earth, knowing the little girls look up to her. She wants to send the message, you can do this too, be a humble kid, work hard and you can be awesome.”
Jurevicius and the Lions 2021 campaign has been filled with ups and downs, the Lions are currently 11-6 on the season. Recently, the Lions defeated Lake Catholic and VASJ, before dropping a match to state-ranked Padua. They received the first-seed in the Division II East District Tournament and will open up tournament play on October 21.
