One of the top collegiate soccer players in the country, North Carolina star Talia DellaPeruta has made an immediate impact since arriving on campus at Chapel Hill. After finishing her first year with UNC as an All-Freshman Team Selection, Dellaperuta’s success has expanded outside of just college sports as she became the first US Youth National Team Player to win 4 Concacaf Titles. With a bright future ahead, Talia has credited her faith for guiding her to where she is today.
“I grew up in a Christian household and we would go to church every Sunday as a family. It wasn’t until I got to college that I realized I really needed Him and that I longed for a stronger relationship with Him.”
Talia says that since arriving at UNC, she has become close with her teammates and been able to grow with them both on and off the field.
“I joined bible study groups with my teammates and we would read together and talk about the text and how we could apply what we learned into our lives. It was so helpful and I am so blessed to have met such wonderful women at school that have pushed me to grow my faith and relationship with God.”
After helping guide the Tar Heels to an impressive 12-3-3 year during her sophomore season, Talia says her faith is what guides her throughout every part of her life.
“I have struggled a lot with performance anxiety in soccer. I would worry so much about the future and how every move I made would affect if I succeeded or achieved my dreams. This way of thinking was so tiring and felt unmanageable. I got help from a sports psychologist and learned some breathing techniques and ways to bring me back into the moment I was in and to not look into the future. This definitely helped, but as being a Christian I knew that strengthening my relationship with God would help me immensely with this. So I would pray over my anxiety and not worry about the future because He has a perfect plan for me.”
“God assured me I was loved by him and that I am more than just a soccer player; I am his daughter. Without knowing God and believing he loves me for me and I am made perfect in his image I would be struggling with that my whole life.”
Since arriving at college, Talia says that the relationships she has built with teammates and friends on campus have been instrumental in her life.
“The small group team bible studies for me have been huge. I have also had one on one talks with some of my teammates and new friends from the church about God and how to strengthen my relationship I found to be very helpful. It has also been nice to be around such curious people because they always want to learn and know more about Jesus and so it pushes me to want to know more too.”
Talia says that getting involved in different clubs and events on campus that push her relationship with Jesus have been key, too.
“I also attend AIA (athletes in action), which is an all-athlete group that meets once a week and we read the bible together and talk about our struggles and what ways God has shown up for us. It has been so cool to hear other people like me and their stories.”
As Talia looks to continue to make an impact for the Tar Heels and for the United States National Teams, her faith has remained the foundation for her life. As she has seen her platform grow and the number of lives she has touched expand, she hopes to always use those gifts for something greater than herself. With a bright future ahead, Talia hopes to do all she can to lead and inspire whoever is watching.
