Editor’s note: The Star’s Zack Rosenblatt is counting down the 50 best athletes on the UA campus right now, with help from athletes, coaches and those close to the program.
44. Julia Patterson
Sport: Volleyball
The details: Patterson is a sophomore setter for the Wildcats expected to step in and replace Penina Snuka, a four-year starter and the reigning Pac-12 setter of the year. UA coach Dave Rubio had intended to redshirt Patterson for her true-freshman season, but injuries necessitated early playing time as Snuka’s backup. Patterson arrived at Arizona last year from Los Alamitos, California, as one of the highest-rated setter recruits in the nation. PrepVolleyball.com ranked Patterson as the No. 67 recruit in the country. “At first, I was disappointed that I was not able to redshirt,” Patterson said, “but looking back, it was really good I didn’t.”
The numbers: Patterson saw action in 39 sets as a freshman, totaling 41 assists (or 1.05 per set) with 12 digs and three aces. At Los Alamitos, Patterson was her team’s MVP after a stellar senior season when she notched 892 assists, 234 digs, 61 blocks, 120 kills and 48 aces.
The value: The setter is arguably the most important position on the floor in volleyball, essentially the team’s point guard, and Patterson will be replacing one of the best at the position in program history. Arizona’s success will depend on Patterson’s ability to set up her teammates, four of whom are on our Top 50 list.
“I feel comfortable stepping up to the plate and becoming a leader on the court, regardless of what year I am as a player because at the end of the day we play in the hardest conference there is,” Patterson said. “If any one of us steps on the court with any uncertainty, then it will be a tough season.”
Why Patterson? Rubio raved about Patterson’s talent and future with the program, and Patterson will be expected to step up this season. Should Patterson perform to her capabilities, the Wildcats have the talent to be competitive in a difficult Pac-12 conference. Plus, it helps that Patterson spent a year playing behind Snuka.
“Penina did an amazing job of preparing Julia for the role she’s going to step into. She was mentoring Julia all year long,” UA coach Dave Rubio said. “There’s going to be a void, there always is when you lose a player like that, but we’re excited we had someone like Julia to back her up.”
Proof she’s good: Patterson showed flashes in limited playing time last season, tallying a season-high 11 assists in a loss to then-No. 16 Texas A&M.
What Patterson can accomplish: She’d be hard-pressed to match the accolades Snuka achieved last season — All-American, Pac-12 setter of the year and first team All-Pac-12 — but Patterson has the potential to help her talented teammates reach those goals. Snuka was an honorable mention All-American and an All-Conference first team selection as a sophomore.
Coachspeak: “Penina certainly cast a pretty big shadow, but if there’s one person who I think can handle the expectations that go with following someone like Penina, someone who can lead the team like Penina, someone who is going to be tough mentally like Penina, it’s going to be Julia Patterson. I feel very confident and comfortable with handing over the keys to the program to her.” — Rubio
She said it: “Even though I didn’t see the court much, I still feel like I am more experienced from getting my toes a little wet from the few points that I played because I got a little taste of what it was like to be the setter on the court. … Dave helped prepare me mentally and physically to levels I didn’t think I would reach freshman year.” — Patterson
