Millsap senior Julie Van Dyke has been named Parker County Player of the Year after putting together an impressive season for the Lady Bulldogs. In 2023, Van Dijk showed her versatility as she dished out 832 assists, had 172 kills, collected 375 digs, served 100 aces, and blocked 29 attacks. Van Dyke helped Millsap defeat Brock in five sets at Brock High School for Millsap’s first-ever win over the Lady Eagles in program history. The Lady Bulldogs placed third in region, and Van Dyke was named Setter of the Year at this year’s All-Region awards.
As a starter, you are the leader of your volleyball team on the court. How proud are you to be your team’s captain on the field?
“I take great pride in being a leader on the field. It is a great feeling to lead the team and help them achieve success.”
You reached a career milestone of 2,000 assists in your team’s home win over Dublin this year. Describe how significant this achievement is that validates what you were able to achieve as a setter?
“An achievement like 2,000 assists confirms how successful my hard work has been.”
Not only did you excel at distributing the ball to different hitters, but you had a wide range of skills on display in the field. How has being a versatile player helped your overall growth on the court?
“I feel like being a versatile player has helped me grow because it increases my volleyball IQ. This makes me more valuable because it improves all aspects of the game.”
What was the most memorable match you played in this season, and why?
“The most memorable game of the season was definitely the five-goal win over Brooke at home. We had never beaten them before in our history of playing each other. We stepped up our game and played together as a team. It was also the most memorable game for me because it was the game that I was just one serve away from a quadruple double.
How do you hope the Millsap volleyball program continues to grow on the foundation you helped establish?
“I hope to see the Millsap volleyball program continue to grow by continuing to improve the skill level and commitment, which in turn will help future teams advance further in the playoffs.”