After a fantastic Sophomore campaign, Lady Rattler Julia Stenberg from Stockholm, Sweden has committed to play for Head Coach Nicole Powell and the UC Riverside Highlanders, an NCAA Division 1 program in the Big West Conference this upcoming 2022-23 season.
"To play at the D 1 level has always been a goal and a dream of mine. I want to thank Coach Vavro and Coach Stewart for always believing in me and giving me a chance to fulfill my dream! I had such a great year at Otero and will miss it a lot! I'm extremely excited for my next chapter!"
Julia came to the states as a Freshman during the 2020-21 season where she played at South Plains College where her team advanced to the Elite Eight of the national tournament.
Julia had a breakout season this year at Otero where she averaged 13.5 PPG and ranked 6th nationally in total made 3-point FG with 91. She scored 406 points and led the team in both FT% at 83.9 and 3PT % at 32.0. She helped lead the team to a road playoff victory over Northeastern Junior College where she scored 19 points and pulled down 7 rebounds where the team advanced to the Region 9 Quarterfinals falling to Region 9 Champions Casper College. She played and started in all 30 games where she scored in double figures in 24 of those contests, scored 20 or more in five games including a season high 26 points in a victory over Lamar.
After one year at Otero, she graduated with her associate's degree. Once this past season came to an end, offers for the sharpshooter started rolling in. Stenberg had several NCAA Division 1 and NCAA Division 2 offers and had a difficult decision to make but ultimately decided to sign with UC Riverside and can't wait to get started this summer!
Vavro insists that Stenberg's confidence this past season grew immensely and believes it will translate for her to the next level.
"She came to Otero with the hopes of being able to showcase her skills on a national level and it was a tremendous season for her. I couldn't be more proud of Julia. She is the true definition of what it takes to be a successful student athlete. She worked extremely hard all season long and is deserving of this great opportunity. She will definitely be missed here at Otero and I can't wait to watch her continue to achieve her goals going forward!"
