Juliana originally hails from Brazil where she played two years on the youth National Team. In 1999 she was recruited, and given a full scholarship at Columbia College, Missouri. During her two years there she was a runner-up and also won the NAIA National Championship. She was elected first team All-American both years. The University of Missouri then recruited Juliana to shore-up their defensive game, and also to bring her fiery energy and leadership to their program. While at Mizzou, she was elected Big 12 Defensive Specialist of the Year in 2003, before finishing her degree in International Business and International Studies.

After leaving school, Juliana spent 5 years playing Beach Volleyball in the AVP where she consistently placed among the top 20. In 2009 she won the U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball, and continues to compete presently. She brings a tremendous amount of passion, tenacity, and competitiveness to the sport in which she hopes to help instill in the students she coaches.

Juliana currently lives in San Diego with her daughter Maya, and fiancée Brian. In her spare time she has taken up the sport of triathlon, and finished her first half-Ironman distance in March of 2013.