Julia Ituma, who recently turned 18 (born October 8, 2004), has already achieved remarkable success, including a European Championship gold medal and an MVP award. This past summer, she led her Italian team to victory at the #EuroVolleyU19W, earning the Most Valuable Player recognition. Across eight matches (27 sets), Ituma amassed an impressive 116 points (averaging 4.3 points per set). In the thrilling 3-2 final against Serbia, she contributed 21 points (with 43% efficiency). Now competing for Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the Italian League, the former Club Italia player is poised to become volleyball`s next sensation. Learn more about her journey!
The Beginning
Volleyball entered Julia`s life quite serendipitously. Standing at an impressive 191cm today, she initially tried basketball before discovering volleyball in sixth grade, drawn to it by her height.
Going Pro
Upon joining Club Italia, Ituma quickly recognized her potential to pursue a professional volleyball career. She reflected:
Seeing all the top players there, doing something I loved, and being told by those with more experience that I could excel, motivated me. I decided to dedicate myself completely, and now we`ll see where this journey takes me.
Julia Ituma
The National Team
The summer of 2022 proved exceptionally successful for Julia and her national teammates. They first secured victory at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Slovakia, swiftly followed by clinching the #EuroVolleyU19W title.
The Club
Ituma is currently honing her skills with Igor Volley Novara, one of Italy`s most esteemed clubs. She embraces every chance to learn and develop on the court. She stated:
At Novara, I`m once again in a position where I have much to learn and prove. They`ve shown great faith in me, and it`s now my turn to justify that trust. My primary objective is personal growth – constantly seeking new opportunities to learn and better myself. I`m incredibly grateful to the staff; I`m sure I gain so much from them. I`m also learning a lot from all the players, both from my team and opponents, constantly discovering new game strategies.
Julia Ituma
The Inspiration
Instead of modeling her game after a specific player, Ituma aims to forge her unique identity and leave a distinct mark on the sport.
