Being an LSU athlete takes drive, passion, and persistence, but one Tiger is turning heads with a talent that is a little less common.

For most, unicycling may seem like an impossible dream; something only done by circus performers. For Julia Sprecher, it’s just another hurdle in becoming one of the most versatile beach volleyball players at LSU.

At first, Sprecher decided to pick up unicycling out of boredom.

“I started unicycling in 2020 during COVID,” Sprecher said.

Five years later, it became a skill she could use in her career as a Sandy Tig.

Last year, Sprecher made her debut for the Tigers wearing jersey number 12. She earned her spot on the team as a freshman starter, playing in the 2s and 3s pairs.

The coordination, strategy, and strength she uses while unicycling help her do well as a Division I beach volleyball player.

“You’re trading off… weight on each foot,” Sprecher said. “It’s a lot of core strength, and a lot of… side-to-side movement. Then in beach volleyball, the attack opens up, and that torque is a lot of core strength, so I think those kind of go… hand in hand in the sport of beach volleyball.”

When it comes down to it, Sprecher says beach volleyball is harder to master.

“I feel like the mental aspect of beach volleyball; decision making, reading the court, just being dynamic… that takes a lot of work,” Sprecher said.

Sprecher says the biggest key to success in both her sport and unicycling is taking it one step at a time.

Unicycling may not be an average hobby for a college athlete, but Sprecher’s talent is a reminder that hard work and determination do pay off.