Concordia University Irvine junior Julia DenBoer will get to face her cousin and former high school teammate Christina DenBoer Wednesday night.
When the Concordia University Irvine women’s volleyball team visits Biola Wednesday evening, it will be the first time the DenBoer cousins get to play against each other at the collegiate level.
Concordia junior Julia DenBoer and Biola redshirt sophomore Christina DenBoer both grew up in San Diego County and both graduated from Calvin Christian High School.
They were volleyball teammates for three years at the prep level and went to the same school from kindergarten to 12th grade while growing up in Escondido.
“She was always the person I looked up to and she was always the star,” said Julia. “Not that I was jealous of her but I always wanted to be more like her.”
The two athletes have stayed in touch during college and have both battled shoulder injuries over the past two years.
They’ve helped each other overcome that adversity together.
“She’s helped me a lot through my injury,” said Julia, who often contributes with serves for the Eagles. “She has a more mature outlook on volleyball and in general and on life after volleyball.”
“I had shoulder surgery the end of my freshman year and I sat out the following year,” said Christina, who is about 10 months older. “I think it was fitting that I had that experience and then when she started going through the same thing I felt like I had solid pieces of advice to give her. I think I was able to help her and guide her thoughts because it’s easy to get overwhelmed.”
The DenBoer cousins have seen their teams compete against each other since joining the college ranks, but neither have both been healthy enough to play at the same time when CUI faced Biola in the past.
“We expect to have a good deal of family and friends in attendance,” said Julia. “I’m just excited that she has the ability to play again too and that we will both be on the court together.”
“I know she feels the same way and we are both super passionate about volleyball and doing your best so I think we both enjoy being out there,” said Christina.
Concordia (5-10, 4-3 PWC) enters Wednesday’s 7 p.m. clash tied for fourth place with Chaminade and Point Loma after knocking off the Silverswords in five sets last Saturday. Â Biola sits third in the PacWest with a 5-2 conference mark and a 9-5 overall record.
–Courtesy Ben Rosehart
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