Julie Voeck was introduced to volleyball in high school, before club volleyball opportunities were widely available. She continued playing into adulthood and later gained experience coaching club volleyball, deepening her connection to the sport. While still an active player, Julie began officiating at tournaments. The experience gave her an appreciation for the role Officials play in ensuring matches are conducted fairly and efficiently and sparked her interest in continuing as an Official.
More than 30 years later, Julie has officiated at multiple levels of the sport, including juniors, collegiate, international, and professional volleyball. Today, her primary focus is recruiting, training, and developing volleyball Officials.
“I enjoy mentoring newer referees and helping both new and experienced Officials continue to improve, with the goal of strengthening the officiating community and preparing the next generation of referees,” said Voeck.
Julie has also been actively involved with the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) for more than 20 years. During that time, she has served on the PAVO Board in several roles, including Director of Training Camps and most recently as President. Through those positions, Julie has supported the development and education of collegiate volleyball Officials and worked to strengthen the officiating community across the country.
“One thing that would benefit the junior volleyball community is a better understanding of the preparation and experience officiating requires,” said Voeck. “Officials invest significant time studying the rules, attending training programs, participating in evaluations, and working matches at multiple levels to develop the judgment and consistency needed to manage a match effectively.”
Officials are an essential part of the team that makes competition possible. Their responsibility is to apply the rules fairly, maintain the flow of the match, and support a safe and competitive environment for athletes. While not every decision will be perfect, Officials work to remain consistent and manage matches in a way that allows players and Coaches to focus on the game.
“Another important issue is the recruitment and retention of Officials,” Voeck said. “Junior volleyball continues to grow rapidly, and the sport depends on attracting and developing new referees. Creating a respectful environment for Officials—especially newer ones—helps ensure more people are willing to step into the role and remain involved in the sport.”
Julie’s experience serving as a Head Referee at JVA events has been very positive. The events are well organized, highly competitive, and provide a strong environment for both athletes and Officials.
“I have always appreciated the professionalism of the event staff and the emphasis on creating a quality experience for everyone involved,” she said.
“Programs such as the JVA Officials Reward Program are also a positive step for the officiating community. Recognizing and rewarding Officials for their work demonstrates that Officials are valued and encourages continued participation in the sport. Initiatives like this also support the recruitment and retention of Officials, which is a priority across all levels of volleyball.”
Outside of officiating, Julie works in the energy industry, focusing on regulatory and public affairs. The role complements her officiating career, as both require strong communication, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex situations.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Julie’s career is helping develop new Officials so they can contribute to the sport and experience the same sense of community that has kept her involved for more than three decades. She also values the moments when Officials support and mentor one another.
“Seeing newer referees grow in confidence and skill, and knowing you played a small role in their development, is especially rewarding,” said Voeck. “There are also memorable matches and high-level events, but what stands out most are the relationships built within the officiating community and the opportunity to stay connected to a sport that means so much to so many people.”
JVA values the service Officials provide to junior volleyball. Individuals who are passionate about the game and interested in building a career in junior volleyball are encouraged to consider becoming a Certified Official.
Contact JVA Head Official Joseph O’Neal for more information.
Learn about JVA’s Officials Reward Program.
