One of the most pleasant surprises in the history of Otterbein Athletics happened in the form of Julie Stroyne, who became one of the most dominant women’s tennis players to ever lace up in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Stroyne, growing up in Venetia, Pa., and starring at Peters Township High School, had the goal of playing college tennis but also pursuing a career in nursing. Wanting to maintain a balance (and fair presence) in both across all four years, she knew a smaller school would likely be her best path. Otterbein wasn’t even on the radar, but, thanks to a recommendation from a family friend that was on campus for an unrelated event, the Stroyne family called up Coach Pat Anderson to show interest. What ensued next would be a Hall of Fame career that helped the Cardinals regain notoriety on the tennis court.

Stroyne, a bit shy and reserved, let her racquet do most of the talking and was penciled into the No. 1 singles/doubles spots almost immediately. In fact, during her career, she competed all but one match on the top line of both sections. Julie delivered a staggering 73-8 individual record during her time at Otterbein, including a perfect 31-0 in the conference regular season. The standout also went 70-12 overall (26-5 OAC) in doubles play, with her combined record in college settling at 143-20. That success allowed her to become a four-time OAC Player of the Year. At the time, she was the only athlete in league history, regardless of sport, to earn the honor every year.

But, above any accolade for herself, Stroyne was the primary catalyst for a program consistently improving and striving toward a conference title. The Cards lost narrow matches in the OAC Tournament semifinals each of her first two years and then inched a step closer during her junior campaign. Stroyne went a perfect 22-0 that season as Otterbein eventually dropped a 5-3 decision to Ohio Northern in the OAC Finals.

Battling through a knee injury over her last two years, Stroyne came back with a vengeance as a senior to not only crush physical therapy… but (alongside teammates) help the program snap a decade-long drought between OAC titles. That stellar 2013-14 campaign saw the Cardinals post a 20-3 overall record and exact revenge on the Polar Bears with a spot in the NCAA Championships on the line. Stroyne and doubles teammate Sammi Kruger went a clean 19-0 during the run. The memorable final chapter concluded on the national stage in Virginia where the lesser-known Cardinals battled powerhouse Trinity (Tex.) in the first round of the national bracket. Otterbein dropped a 5-2 decision as Stroyne was responsible for both points.

A unanimous four-time first team All-OAC selection, Julie was just as successful on the academic side en route to making the Dean’s List every term. She represented Otterbein with the OAC Clyde Lamb Award, recognizing the top male/female senior student-athlete at each of the league’s 10 institutions.

Julie went on to a nursing career in both the trauma unit and operating room before stepping away to start a family with her husband (Andrew). The couple has three children, while Julie coaches youth tennis once per week and still enjoys playing herself.