Porto, Portugal, April 18, 2019. At the age of 18, Julia Kavalenka, the daughter of international Belarusian athletes, was often on the line-up of the National senior women's team despite being the youngest player on the roster. Now aged 20 and standing at 193 cm, she has secured her place in the starting six as opposite hitter. Come to think of it, it was not difficult to predict her a promising future in Volleyball, because she very soon stood out... because of her height.
 
"Being taller has always been a privilege, so to speak, in relation to others. It was what made me different from them in a certain way, because being tall in any sport has its advantages, but, nothing that made me feel different, because anyway I had to work hard to achieve what I wanted," recalls the player who once dreamed of following in the footsteps of Russian legend Ekaterina Gamova. "Gamova is like an idol, she is a person I admire and would like one day to match her achievements."
 
"As a major reference, I have my parents, who are my pride and always my greatest example to follow. It’s thanks to them that I have achieved everything. They are without a doubt the ones that believed in my work the most, and they continue to believe, although they have followed different sports from mine.. They keep me going and continue to fight to achieve what I really want, because "each of us has the world in our hands." Both Julia's parents are no strangers to international sport as her mother was a competitive judoka, while her father is a professional in handball.


It is difficult not to notice young Julia in one of her first teams.
 
Nowadays, Kavalenka is seen as one of the players in which the Portuguese puts more hope in the "counting" of points that can lead the team to the highest level of European and world volleyball.
 
What can be expected from the unprecedented participation in the EuroVolley, mainly in a group including the likes of Italy, Poland, Belgium, Slovenia and Ukraine?
I think it will not be easy at all. It will be a first time, which always has its weight, and we will face the best European teams, which have a higher level than ours, since they have a regular presence in these competitions. We have a tough group; I will say that Slovenia and Ukraine, as we already know their style of play, will be our main objectives. Italy, Poland and Belgium are strong teams with a lot of familiar faces and with a different style of play, which will provide challenging matches that will make us grow technically and tactically.
 
Can this EuroVolley open new doors to Portuguese players and even to National Volleyball?
The big step has already been taken with the qualification. It will remain forever in Portuguese sports history and, in a way, has already opened doors. Regardless of their importance and / or visibility, the international competitions always constitute a showcase for the players and the respective national Volleyball community. To practice, play and socialise with Volleyball stars is priceless, it's something glorifying. It is a privilege to share all their wisdom with you; it is what makes us grow.
 
How do you think you will live this, so far, unique opportunity to star in a competition of the highest level in terms of national teams?
Honestly, I think I will only realise that it’s really true, that Portugal will play a EuroVolley Final Round, only when we are there! I can say that it’s one of the dreams that is coming true, and I think I will enjoy it to the fullest, taking all kind of advantages from both the competition and the experience that will be given to me, which will be unique. For me, to be a part of the shortlist of the team is an honour, it's something that leaves me speechless because you feel that your effort and work is being rewarded, you feel that you grow day by day taking the flag of the country to the chest and your name on the back. It's something that we feel and is very difficult to translate into words.
 
You have played in Portugal and Poland, it's now Italy's turn. What differences do you feel on a competitive level and the day-to-day life?
The Italians are passionate about Volleyball; it’s a country with a lot of tradition in the sport. Compared with Portugal, the Volleyball culture is undoubtedly much stronger, not only in terms of professionalism as well as the public and fans and of economic investment too. At a competitive level, the differences are notorious. Italy and Poland have a strong national championship, competitive and fairly balanced teams. However, at the level of physical power, Italy is superior. In terms of society, of course the mentalities vary, but it didn’t create me any kind of difficulties. At the linguistic level, Polish is familiar to me, and Italian was a language that I developed quickly, having no difficulty in communicating either day-to-day or in sport.


August 2018: Team Portugal, including Kavalenka celebrate their historic qualification for EuroVolley 2019 Women  

How do you like to spend your free time?
The professional level does not allow so much "free time”. In my case, and although I dedicate myself to Volleyball as my job, I’m also taking the International Relations course at the University of Turin. So, I use the free time to study. But in general, I like to walk, read a good book, or simply “turn off” everything and relax.

How do you prepare mentally for the matches? Do you listen to music, for example?
I like to have my own time before any game and take things slow. One is sleeping and reviewing the game plan again. Regarding music, I do not have a specific type, I have a pre-match playlist, but it depends a lot on concentration and humour. 
 
If you were not a Volleyball player, what would you like to be?
If I were not a Volleyball player, I would do anything to be one! At the moment I cannot imagine practicing a different sport or having another profession, although it's still early for that as I am still attending university. I think if it was not for Volleyball, I would not be the person I am today. From very early on, and having great examples at home, I realized that Volleyball was much more than a simple sport, I realized that it was a sport that I wanted to live. Playing at an international level was what I have been trying to achieve in recent times. Nowadays, it is no longer something I wanted and dreamed of, it has become a reality, which I now live intensely and fight to maintain every day.

Júlia Kavalenka, who was born in Porto, started her career on Santa Maria Island, in Azores, by representing Clube Desportivo “Os Marienses” young categories (from mini in 2009/2010 to initiates in 2011/2012), having played several competitions at local and regional level. For the first time in 2011, she was part of the Azores Team, having played the AMB Tournament in Espinho in 2012 and there she attracted the attention of the technical staff of the national teams. From 2012 onwards, she has always been part of the Portuguese national team, in boarding regimen, up to the senior national team, representing at the same time the Club Rosario Volei (2012/2013), Castelo da Maia GC (2013/2014), GDC Gueifães (2014/2015) and AA José Moreira (2015/2017). She then played in Poland for Poli Budowlani TORUN and currently wears the shirt of Italy's Bosca San Bernardo CUNEO.