HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i beach volleyball head coach Evan Silberstein announced the additions of two exciting prospects with the signings  of Julia Lawrenz and Julia Thelle. Lawrenz, from Parana, Brazil and Thelle, from Tonsberg, Norway, will join the nationally-ranked Rainbow Wahine program next fall.
 
"I am so proud to introduce and welcome Julia and Julia to Hawai`I," Silberstein said.  "Together, this is a dynamic and powerful duo with international acclaim and big-time aspirations. Our program, department and state will benefit from their presence for years to come."
 
Thelle, who competed for ToppVolley on the prep level, has trained with the senior indoor national team as a 5-11 outside hitter. She also competed for Norway in the U20 European Beach Championships in each of the last two years. Volleyball runs in the family as her older sister Helene played both indoor and beach for Florida International, while her older brother Jakob is a two-time All-American and national champion with the Warrior volleyball team. She has four years of eligibility with the BeachBows
 
"The Thelle legacy will continue for University of Hawai`i Volleyball," Silberstein said.  "We're excited for Julia to embark on her full-time commitment to the beach game. She is athletic, skillful and hungry to make her own mark on the NCAA landscape. She'll be a great contributor to our program."
 
Meanwhile, Lawrenz comes to UH via Florida Southwestern State where she has enjoyed a stellar two years of indoor volleyball. The 6-1 middle led the Buccaneers to back-to-back Suncoast Conference Championships and earned tournament MVP honors in her team's run to its first-ever FCSAA State Championship. Back in her native Brazil, she has trained with the beach national team, won the 2020 Parana State Tournament and earned runner-up at the U21 Nationals last year. She has three seasons of eligibility with the BeachBows.

"Julia is a gem and should make an immediate impact for us," Silberstein said. "She is a top-rated player in the Brazilian beach pipeline with success following her at every level of her development. Her contact point, all-around skills and vision are matched only by her high character and IQ both on and off the court."