Earning a flawless 4.0 GPA in the University of Alberta’s highly competitive Faculty of Engineering — extraordinary. Doing so during a pandemic, with the 2020/21 academic year held online — remarkable.
Accomplishing those academic standards while also training with the Pandas Volleyball team through COVID-19 — truly incredible.
When factoring that all in, Julia Zonneveld’s selection as the 2020/21 Kathlene Yetman Trophy winner as the top female Academic All-Canadian at the University of Alberta seemed like an obvious one.
Zonneveld was awarded the Yetman Trophy on Wednesday, becoming the 6th Pandas Volleyball student-athlete to win the award.
“I'm very honored to be receiving this award. Looking back at past recipients, I immediately recognized names of Pandas volleyball alumnae like Jessie Niles, Jaki Ellis, and Meg Casault. I've admired each of them and have gained even more respect for what they were able to accomplish having gone through the program,” said Zonneveld. “I think it speaks to the culture of excellence here at the University of Alberta and the culture of the Pandas volleyball community.”
Zonneveld was one of 213 Golden Bears & Pandas to earn Academic All-Canadian status during the 2020/21 academic year, a new all-time record for the UofA. Even more impressive was that Zonneveld was one of just 19 student-athletes to record a 4.0 GPA, and one of just two Pandas to earn AAC status out of Engineering.
She has been an Academic All-Canadian in each of her four years at the UofA.
“I'm very passionate about learning, and especially love gaining in-depth knowledge of the world around us. Engineering allows me to do so while also providing the skills necessary to have a positive impact on our collective future so that I can leave the world a better place,” said the Calgary, Alta. native. “Selfishly, I was also drawn to engineering the same way I was drawn to the Pandas volleyball program. It presented itself as a huge challenge and I saw that as an opportunity to see what I was capable of.”
Zonneveld’s star power isn’t limited to just the classroom. Since joining the Pandas in 2017, the outside hitter has been a mainstay in the starting lineup for the perennial national title contenders.
She was named to the Canada West All-Rookie team in 2017/18, and earned a second team All-Star spot in 2019/20.
Zonneveld has also helped lead the Pandas to a 2018 U SPORTS silver medal, and 2019 national bronze medal on their home court at the Saville Centre.
She has also been active volunteering in the community with her fellow Pandas, working with initiatives such as Santas Anonymous and Read-In-Week.
“I’m extremely proud and grateful every time I’m able to represent the Pandas. The most exciting moments are often in competition but it extends to the way we carry ourselves and set an example for young, aspiring, female athletes as well as the impact we’re able to have in the community.”
“Julia is an extraordinary student-athlete who throughout her years with the team has found a way to strike a balance between her studies and sport that has enabled her to be incredibly successful in both,” said Pandas head coach Laurie Eisler.
“I don't recall Julia missing a single practice or match for academic reasons. She also earned a starting spot for us as a rookie, which also happens to be the most demanding year academically for Engineering student. Since then she has kept up and raised the standards in the classroom and on the court and is truly an inspiration to those who are following in her footsteps!”
Despite losing the 2020/21 competitive season to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zonneveld’s passion and dedication never wavered.
This season, she is a key member of the undefeated Pandas, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. Statistically, she will also go down as one of the best to wear the Panda logo, ranking inside the top 10 in program history for career conference kills, and top three for career digs.
As if her resume wasn’t impressive enough already, Zonneveld hopes to put her engineering degree to good use in the field of clean energy.
“I'm very excited for the opportunities to come post-graduation. I plan on pursuing my career in engineering and continuing to build on the lessons I've learned while being a Panda. Currently, my interests are associated with working in renewables and helping transition the energy industry towards a less carbon-intensive future.”
By Connor Hood, Golden Bears & Pandas Athletics