Rivera Embraces Hispanic Heritage on Her Coastal Journey
10/6/2026 9:02:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
CONWAY, S.C. – It took leaving home for Coastal Carolina volleyball's Julia Rivera to fully appreciate everything home had given her.
Rivera grew up in Miami surrounded by family and a Hispanic community that kept her closely connected to her family's roots in the Dominican Republic. Food, music and family gatherings were part of everyday life, as were the values that came with them.
When Rivera left Miami for Coastal Carolina, some of the things she had always taken for granted suddenly weren't part of every day.
"The biggest thing I missed was being around my family all the time and being surrounded by the culture I grew up with," Rivera said. "Moving away made me appreciate home even more. You sometimes don't realize how much certain things mean to you until you aren't around them every day."
Celebrated annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. For Rivera, whose family is from the Dominican Republic, the month provides an opportunity to celebrate a heritage that has played an important role in shaping who she is both on and off the volleyball court.
"My Dominican heritage has always been a really important part of who I am," Rivera said. "I grew up surrounded by a very family-oriented culture, and I think that has shaped the way I treat people and the importance I place on staying close to the people I love."
Growing up in Miami, Rivera was surrounded by people with similar backgrounds and traditions in a city where Hispanic and Latin culture was a familiar part of life.
At home, much of that culture centered around family.
"Dominican culture is very social, so being together with family, eating, talking and listening to music are some of the things I associate most with home," Rivera said. "Those are still things that make me feel connected to my family and culture, especially now that I am away at college."
Her family was also there throughout her development as a volleyball player. Practices, tournaments and travel required a commitment from Rivera, but also from those around her.
"They were always there for me and encouraged me to keep working toward my goals," Rivera said. "Being able to play Division I volleyball at Coastal Carolina is something I'm really proud of, and I know I would not have gotten here without their support."
Rivera's older sister, Jayleen, also played college volleyball, giving her someone close to home who understood the pressure, time commitment and challenges that came with playing at the collegiate level.
"I could look up to her and learn from what she went through," Rivera said. "It was nice having someone in my family who could relate to me in that way."
Rivera has carried those lessons from home into Coastal's program, particularly the importance she places on relationships.
"Family is such an important part of Dominican culture, and I try to bring that same feeling to my team," Rivera said. "I care a lot about my teammates and try to support them, communicate with them and make sure everyone feels included."
Her upbringing has also influenced the way she competes. Rivera credits her family with teaching her to work hard, remain grateful and remember where she came from.
That last part has taken on additional meaning as a Latina competing at the Division I level.
Rivera is proud to represent her family and Dominican heritage at Coastal, but she also understands that younger Latina athletes with similar aspirations can see someone like themselves playing college volleyball.
"I know there are younger Latina athletes who have similar goals, so I think it is really special to be able to show them that those opportunities are possible," Rivera said.
Hispanic Heritage Month also gives Rivera an opportunity to share a part of herself that isn't necessarily visible when she steps on the court.
"When people watch me play, they only see me as an athlete, but there is so much behind that," Rivera said. "My family, my Dominican heritage and the way I was raised have all helped shape the person and athlete I am today.
"I'm really proud of where I come from."
Rivera grew up in Miami surrounded by family and a Hispanic community that kept her closely connected to her family's roots in the Dominican Republic. Food, music and family gatherings were part of everyday life, as were the values that came with them.
When Rivera left Miami for Coastal Carolina, some of the things she had always taken for granted suddenly weren't part of every day.
"The biggest thing I missed was being around my family all the time and being surrounded by the culture I grew up with," Rivera said. "Moving away made me appreciate home even more. You sometimes don't realize how much certain things mean to you until you aren't around them every day."
Celebrated annually from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. For Rivera, whose family is from the Dominican Republic, the month provides an opportunity to celebrate a heritage that has played an important role in shaping who she is both on and off the volleyball court.
"My Dominican heritage has always been a really important part of who I am," Rivera said. "I grew up surrounded by a very family-oriented culture, and I think that has shaped the way I treat people and the importance I place on staying close to the people I love."
Growing up in Miami, Rivera was surrounded by people with similar backgrounds and traditions in a city where Hispanic and Latin culture was a familiar part of life.
At home, much of that culture centered around family.
"Dominican culture is very social, so being together with family, eating, talking and listening to music are some of the things I associate most with home," Rivera said. "Those are still things that make me feel connected to my family and culture, especially now that I am away at college."
Her family was also there throughout her development as a volleyball player. Practices, tournaments and travel required a commitment from Rivera, but also from those around her.
"They were always there for me and encouraged me to keep working toward my goals," Rivera said. "Being able to play Division I volleyball at Coastal Carolina is something I'm really proud of, and I know I would not have gotten here without their support."
Rivera's older sister, Jayleen, also played college volleyball, giving her someone close to home who understood the pressure, time commitment and challenges that came with playing at the collegiate level.
"I could look up to her and learn from what she went through," Rivera said. "It was nice having someone in my family who could relate to me in that way."
Rivera has carried those lessons from home into Coastal's program, particularly the importance she places on relationships.
"Family is such an important part of Dominican culture, and I try to bring that same feeling to my team," Rivera said. "I care a lot about my teammates and try to support them, communicate with them and make sure everyone feels included."
Her upbringing has also influenced the way she competes. Rivera credits her family with teaching her to work hard, remain grateful and remember where she came from.
That last part has taken on additional meaning as a Latina competing at the Division I level.
Rivera is proud to represent her family and Dominican heritage at Coastal, but she also understands that younger Latina athletes with similar aspirations can see someone like themselves playing college volleyball.
"I know there are younger Latina athletes who have similar goals, so I think it is really special to be able to show them that those opportunities are possible," Rivera said.
Hispanic Heritage Month also gives Rivera an opportunity to share a part of herself that isn't necessarily visible when she steps on the court.
"When people watch me play, they only see me as an athlete, but there is so much behind that," Rivera said. "My family, my Dominican heritage and the way I was raised have all helped shape the person and athlete I am today.
"I'm really proud of where I come from."
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