Amidst post-game craziness, fifth-year defender Julia Sroba stood behind a row of media personnel. My boss Bill Bunting, assistant athletic media relations director at the University, had already told her she needed to stick around.
All of her Cavalier teammates — besides junior midfielder Alexis Shaffer and junior goalkeeper Morgan Stearns, who finished up interviews with fidgety reporters — were in a corner of Klöckner signing autographs and taking photos with young fans.
Then there was Sroba, waiting patiently near midfield and probably wondering who in the world wanted to ask her questions. She looked beyond surprised, when I — a lanky college kid without a microphone or video camera, and sadly, not even a press pass for the occasion — introduced myself. I told her I was writing a column for The Cavalier Daily.
“Wait, really?” Sroba asked with a meek smile. “About me?”
I smiled back. “Yeah, is it okay if I ask you a few questions?”
“Of course,” she said.
We had some initial nerves to get over, given both of us aren’t very used to media interviews. I fumbled around for a decent question, while Sroba likely fretted about providing a quotable answer.
Eventually, we relaxed and had fun. I learned Sroba is enthusiastic, humble, devoted and sincere, and that the story of her Virginia journey is just as heartwarming.
Sroba attended the Collegiate School in Richmond, Va., where she guided the Cougar soccer program to VISAA State Championships in 2008 and 2010. She also starred on the cross-country and track teams and excelled in the classroom. When college-decision time rolled around, Sroba was quick to make up her mind.
Grant Gossage: Can you talk about your decision to walk on the Virginia soccer team?
Julia Sroba: Sure, so basically in high school I was a runner and a soccer player. I knew I wanted to do something. I also knew I wanted to go to the University of Virginia, so I had talked to [coach] Steve [Swanson] for a while. And he said, “If you get in, you can be on the team.” So I was like, “Let’s do it!”
Sroba spent her first season in 2011 training with the team, but didn’t dress out for a single match. In her three subsequent seasons, she has started in only one game, produced only one shot and never tallied an assist or a goal. Her three ACC Honor Roll memberships reveal a thing or two about her grit, though.
GG: How do you find the experience rewarding? Because you’re not getting a lot of the playing time; you’re not getting the whole scholarship benefit. What is driving you?
JS: My teammates. Like, how hard they work every day. I love seeing myself improve. I love helping them improve. It’s just a give-and-take kind of thing. The whole atmosphere of this team, the way Steve runs this team, the way everyone is so determined and so motivated to be the best they can be, is amazing.
Coach Swanson talked to me about how most people equate an increase in playing time with “Have they improved?” With that misguided view, it’s hard to see Sroba’s development as a player over her five years. Swanson was quick to point out that over his 25 years of collegiate coaching, “Julia has been one of the most improved players.”
GG: What have been some of your favorite moments? You’ve probably got a lot, because I’d say it’s been a pretty successful four-plus years.
JS: Yeah jeez, this is a hard one. Definitely, when we beat UCLA last year that was really fun. And just whenever like my friends or teammates do something awesome [laughing].
Sroba supports her teammates every day in practice and in games. This might seem trivial, but it's rare among athletes to not slow one’s clap or hush one’s cheer when playing time is cut short. Sroba is so likeable because of her constant positivity and empathy. Over my months covering the team, I’ve always seen a smile on her face and a buddy by her side.
GG: Who have been your closest friends on the team?
JS: Well of course, my class from last year they’re all my best friends — and a lot of them have been back, Morgan [Brian] and Danny [Colaprico]; Campbell [Millar] comes back sometimes, so that is really fun. This year Kaili [Torres] and I have been kind of hanging on to each other, Tina [Iordanou] as well. She lives with us, and she’s just so whole-hearted about everything.
On the Lawn last May, Sroba and her pals Brian, Colaprico and Millar had worn the honors of Honor and graduated from the University. Brian and Colaprico continued to play for professional soccer clubs in Houston, Texas and Chicago, Ill., respectively, while Millar moved out of Charlottesville to follow a new path. With a year of NCAA eligibility remaining, Sroba chose to stay on Grounds.
GG: What are you studying?
JS: I’m studying higher education and athletics administration. Definitely in the future, the goal is to be an elementary school teacher. I definitely want to explore jobs next year …
GG: My dad is a head of school in North Carolina.
I interjected, not wanting to sound like too much of a salesman. I also decided not to tell Sroba my dad holds a 2-0 record on the gridiron against her father, who starred at Virginia during the same years my dad played at Vanderbilt.
JS: Oh really? It’s definitely a goal to be a teacher. Like I love kids and helping them. I don’t know what I’ll do next year yet, but I’ll figure it out.
Sroba’s parents, who’ve always been her rock, have shown her how to care for children. On senior day — a couple hours before my post-game interview –— Mr. and Mrs. Sroba walked out onto the field with their oldest daughter. All three paused teary-eyed to take in that moment. Less than 10 minutes later, Sroba made her first collegiate start against No. 1 Florida State.
GG: What was it like to get the start tonight? How emotional was it for you?
JS: Well actually, I was pretty nervous. But I think the first years put on a really good show for us, decorated our lockers and everything. The nerves went away. I was just so pumped to be out there, super excited. And I had a great time. Like, I have prepared four years for this, five years, whatever you want to call it.
Virginia ousted Florida State 1-0. In the ensuing celebration, Coach Swanson embraced his fifth-year player and praised her eleven minutes of fight. When asked how happy he felt for Sroba, the coach replied, “You couldn’t not be happy for someone like her. It’s not easy for coaches not to play players who tug at their hearts, you know. And Julia does.”
I thanked Sroba, and we went our separate ways. Soon, I was well outside the confines of Klöckner, fed up waiting for one of those elusive Green Route buses. I texted my mom to tell her how awesome it would be to write about a player who has never been written about before. Then I made the long walk home.
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