University of Georgia Athletics
‘I've Always Had A Standard For Myself’
October 05, 2026 | Volleyball
By Ashley Yang
UGA Sports Communications
The University of Georgia provides an excellent education, community, and network that draws so many in. The same goes for Ana Julia Bleeker, the fifth-year Bulldog who finds her joy on the volleyball court. Along with her leadership, she is a standout student who strives to exceed expectations in her athletic and academic success.
A four-time SEC All-Academic Honor Roll member, Bleeker has competitive drive both on the court and in the classroom. As a Mechanical Engineering major, Bleeker calls herself a "book nerd" because of her love for school and expanding her knowledge in any way possible. She acquired her skill of time management back in high school when balancing school and club volleyball with rigorous classes and homework that followed. Her tough high school curriculum made her transition to college and her demanding major easier, Bleeker said.
Entering college, the workload increases but so do the resources, which allows her to keep everything in line.
"I've always had a standard for myself, either in the gym or in school, so it's kind of been carried with me through high school. I'm gonna do this, and I'm gonna do it well, because I'd feel behind if I wasn't staying on top of things," said Bleeker, a fifth-year libero/outside hitter from Windermere, Fla.
The standard stays true for Bleeker throughout the summer, a season that most athletes use for rest and a break from the books. Her commitment to hands-on learning helped Bleeker land an internship with one of the most distinguished agencies in the world. Along with six other student-athletes from the SEC, she took part in NASA's Launch Services Program as part of their Student Volunteer Learning Experience last summer.
Bleeker admires the process of a launch and everything that makes a mission possible.
"I got to learn so much from all the different kinds of engineers they have there, and what plays into making a launch possible, and how they all work together. But also, learning the business and marketing side of each mission. The engineers can't really do anything without the other people setting up the budgets and timelines," she said.
Bleeker saw a spark in her passion for volleyball around 14 years old, following her national championship win with Orlando-Tampa Volleyball Academy. While going through the recruitment process, Georgia stood out among other schools because of its culture, location and coaching staff. She really admires "the culture the coaches have built here" and appreciates the close proximity of Georgia without it feeling too close to home. These few traits that barely begin to describe the Georgia volleyball program have stayed true for Bleeker in her five years in Athens.
Due to a shoulder injury during her first year, Bleeker's medical redshirt season allowed her to return for her fifth season with the Bulldogs. Her demanding course load has benefited from the extra year, providing more flexibility to spread out her classes. Entering the transfer portal never really crossed her mind, as she expressed her love for the school, the campus, and the volleyball program.
Bleeker clearly made the right choice. In Friday's win over Arkansas, Bleeker had five assists, two aces and nine digs. In Sunday's win over Oklahoma — the Bulldogs' eighth win in a row — Bleeker had four assists and four digs. She's one of three Georgia players to have played all 51 sets so far this season, and she has a team-high 20 aces, her 33 assists rank second, and she's tied for fourth on the team with 89 digs.
As one of the older Bulldogs, she enjoys watching players experience the culture and dynamic of the program for the first time.
"Seeing them gain so much more confidence in themselves just by us instilling that in them is awesome," she said. "So I want them to be able to carry that on. No matter who comes in this gym, we're all supporting each other. We're all here for a bigger goal."
Though her time on the volleyball court is coming to a close, her legacy will not be forgotten.
"I just want people to remember how consistent of a person I was," she said. "No matter what kind of day it was, good or bad, I was always being a great teammate and always supporting people around me."
Bleeker will be a member of the December 2026 graduating class shortly after her season comes to an end. When she leaves Athens, she will return to her home state of Florida and begin searching for a career. Bleeker dreams of working for an amusement park like Universal Studios or Disney World.
The Bulldogs, one of three teams in the SEC to start 3-0 in league play, are back in action Friday at Mississippi State.
UGA Sports Communications
The University of Georgia provides an excellent education, community, and network that draws so many in. The same goes for Ana Julia Bleeker, the fifth-year Bulldog who finds her joy on the volleyball court. Along with her leadership, she is a standout student who strives to exceed expectations in her athletic and academic success.
A four-time SEC All-Academic Honor Roll member, Bleeker has competitive drive both on the court and in the classroom. As a Mechanical Engineering major, Bleeker calls herself a "book nerd" because of her love for school and expanding her knowledge in any way possible. She acquired her skill of time management back in high school when balancing school and club volleyball with rigorous classes and homework that followed. Her tough high school curriculum made her transition to college and her demanding major easier, Bleeker said.
Entering college, the workload increases but so do the resources, which allows her to keep everything in line.
"I've always had a standard for myself, either in the gym or in school, so it's kind of been carried with me through high school. I'm gonna do this, and I'm gonna do it well, because I'd feel behind if I wasn't staying on top of things," said Bleeker, a fifth-year libero/outside hitter from Windermere, Fla.
The standard stays true for Bleeker throughout the summer, a season that most athletes use for rest and a break from the books. Her commitment to hands-on learning helped Bleeker land an internship with one of the most distinguished agencies in the world. Along with six other student-athletes from the SEC, she took part in NASA's Launch Services Program as part of their Student Volunteer Learning Experience last summer.
Bleeker admires the process of a launch and everything that makes a mission possible.
"I got to learn so much from all the different kinds of engineers they have there, and what plays into making a launch possible, and how they all work together. But also, learning the business and marketing side of each mission. The engineers can't really do anything without the other people setting up the budgets and timelines," she said.
Bleeker saw a spark in her passion for volleyball around 14 years old, following her national championship win with Orlando-Tampa Volleyball Academy. While going through the recruitment process, Georgia stood out among other schools because of its culture, location and coaching staff. She really admires "the culture the coaches have built here" and appreciates the close proximity of Georgia without it feeling too close to home. These few traits that barely begin to describe the Georgia volleyball program have stayed true for Bleeker in her five years in Athens.
Due to a shoulder injury during her first year, Bleeker's medical redshirt season allowed her to return for her fifth season with the Bulldogs. Her demanding course load has benefited from the extra year, providing more flexibility to spread out her classes. Entering the transfer portal never really crossed her mind, as she expressed her love for the school, the campus, and the volleyball program.
Bleeker clearly made the right choice. In Friday's win over Arkansas, Bleeker had five assists, two aces and nine digs. In Sunday's win over Oklahoma — the Bulldogs' eighth win in a row — Bleeker had four assists and four digs. She's one of three Georgia players to have played all 51 sets so far this season, and she has a team-high 20 aces, her 33 assists rank second, and she's tied for fourth on the team with 89 digs.
As one of the older Bulldogs, she enjoys watching players experience the culture and dynamic of the program for the first time.
"Seeing them gain so much more confidence in themselves just by us instilling that in them is awesome," she said. "So I want them to be able to carry that on. No matter who comes in this gym, we're all supporting each other. We're all here for a bigger goal."
Though her time on the volleyball court is coming to a close, her legacy will not be forgotten.
"I just want people to remember how consistent of a person I was," she said. "No matter what kind of day it was, good or bad, I was always being a great teammate and always supporting people around me."
Bleeker will be a member of the December 2026 graduating class shortly after her season comes to an end. When she leaves Athens, she will return to her home state of Florida and begin searching for a career. Bleeker dreams of working for an amusement park like Universal Studios or Disney World.
The Bulldogs, one of three teams in the SEC to start 3-0 in league play, are back in action Friday at Mississippi State.
Players Mentioned
L/OH
/ VolleyballSunday, October 04
Friday, October 02
Wednesday, September 23
Saturday, September 19