Heartland's Graci Junis Named 2025 NJCAA DII Volleyball Player of the Year
Charlotte, NC – Grit, determination and undeniable talent have resulted in an historic year for one player and her team. Graci Junis of Heartland Community College has been named the 2025 NJCAA Division II Volleyball Player of the Year.
Junis led the Hawks to their first National Title in program history at the 2025 NJCAA DII Volleyball Championship. Now a Sophomore, Junis has spent the last two years at Heartland working to bring success to her team. The 2024 National Championship fell short of expectations as the Hawks took home the third-place trophy. Seeking redemption, Junis honed her skills and became an even stronger asset to Heartland.
"Graci epitomizes what we believe a National Player of the Year should be as she is a fierce competitor and selfless leader. For the last two years, Graci has showcased herself both on and off the court as an athlete relentlessly committed to her personal growth, while simultaneously prioritizing the team's success as she has been the steadfast leader this group needed on our journey," stated Heartland Head Coach, Mary Frahm.
From 2024 to 2025, Junis jumped statistically in many categories. She went from 307 kills last season to 426 this year. She registered 3.06 kills per set in 2025 as opposed to her 2.16 in 2024. This year, Junis was in the Top 25 in the nation in 6 different categories. The strides Junis has made in her performance has been essential to the success of the Hawks.
The culture of hardwork and unity that Junis personifies was unparalleled. She virtually never left the court all season as her impact was crucial to the prosperity of the program. Her efforts this season made her a clear choice as a 2025 NJCAA DII Volleyball First Team All-America Selection.
Junis' impact at the 2025 National Tournament was exceptional, both in her leadership and performance. She tallied 39 kills, 53.5 points with 124 total attempts and 5 assists. Her performance and presence on the court equated to a dominant run by Heartland as they only dropped one set the entire tournament.
"Her time at Heartland has been continuously defined by her relentless work ethic which will leave a lasting impact on our program for years to come," Frahm Stated. "She has brought an immense amount of pride to our institution, not only in her play and legacy in winning our program's first National Championship, but also in the authentic way she built connections with her teammates, athletes and community within this department."
Junis is a Sophomore Outside Hitter from Morton, IL. She attended Morton High School before studying business at Heartland. While in high school, Junis was a First Team All-Conference selection her junior and senior year. Her senior year, she was awarded Second Team All-State and 3A State Tournament All-Tournament Team.
2025-26 Statistics
- 426 Kills
- 3.06 Kills Per Set
- .227 Hitting Percentage
- 73 Service Aces
- 513.0 Points
- 1219 Total Attacks
Personal
- Position – Outside Hitter
- Class – Sophomore
- Hometown – Morton, IL
- High School – Morton High School