University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
Get to Know: Layli Ostovar
August 17, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
The USC freshman outsider hitter is using mindfulness to make her impact on the court.
The USC women's volleyball team welcomes seven newcomers to the floor this fall. Get to know the six freshmen and transfer setter in a series of get-to-know features here on USCTrojans.com. Freshman outside hitter Layli Ostovar (San Clemente, Calif./Mater Dei HS) is hoping to take in the sights and scenes during this season's road trips.
Get to know Layli Ostovar!
What has surprised you since you arrived at USC?
Get to know Layli Ostovar!
What has surprised you since you arrived at USC?
I wasn't surprised about it, but I think there was a sense of relief because the team is so close. When I first arrived at USC, they all made me feel so welcome. And I just feel that helps with our chemistry on the court, and it translates over, which you can definitely see on the court. I think we all get along really well and we're all best friends — it's a family.
What made you choose USC?
The thing that made me choose USC was the culture. I love everything about it. I love the place. I live in San Clemente, so I'm about an hour and a half away — it's pretty close to home. The coaches, the players, and the academics all interested me. I think saying you graduated from USC when you move on from volleyball is such a big thing, and I think that was one of the main reasons I chose it.
Describe the team's culture in your own words.
I would just say we're a family. That's the best way I can describe it. We're all different, and I think we all just learn from each other a lot. That makes us so connected. They're all my best friends, and I love them a lot.
When did you realize you wanted to and could play at the collegiate level?
When I first realized I could play at the collegiate level was probably during my U14 year of club volleyball. I was younger—about 12—and playing up with 14-year-olds. That's when I realized I wanted to play Division I volleyball. I realized I could do it during my freshman year of high school. I made the varsity team for a really good high school team and it gave me a lot of motivation. From there, I realized I could really do this.
What other sports did you play growing up?
When I was really young, I tried tennis, soccer, gymnastics, and beach volleyball.
How would your teammates describe you?
On the court, I would say they describe me as competitive and how serious I can get. But at the same time, I'm calm and composed. Off the court, I think they could say I'm funny. I think I'm fun to be around, or at least I would hope I am.
How would you describe yourself without mentioning volleyball?
I like to bake—it's fun. I made this chocolate cake. It's a Hershey's chocolate cake. The cake doesn't look too pretty, but it's really delicious. I also like to swim and go to the beach. I love hanging out with my friends and I would say I'm a very loyal and confident person.
What pregame rituals do you have?
I don't know if this is really a ritual, but something that I like to do pregame is go to a quiet place by myself. I just close my eyes, I meditate a little bit, and I start to visualize myself playing. I think that really helps me. I think there's science behind it too, that it translates over to the game. But I'll do that before every game. There was one tournament that I started playing badly, and then I was reading a book at the time that was trying to help me with my mentality. The book told me to try that out. I think that was during my sophomore year of high school. Ever since then, I have done it before every game.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a match?
I sometimes like to go get ice cream after a game. Handel's Ice Cream, specifically. I will get a flavor called Mud Pie. I think it is a coffee chocolate flavor. But if it's late at night, I will get a flavor called Chocolicious Chocolate. Or seeing my family just relaxes me.
You're in charge of the aux on a road trip, what is the first song you're playing?
I would play some Katy Perry or Taylor Swift, an old song of theirs.
What artist do you currently have on repeat?
I like Bruno Mars. I'm actually going to his concert, so I'm listening to his music. I also like Playboi Carti. I just went to a Don Tolliver concert. I also like the weekend.
What have you explored of LA and what do you still have left on your bucket list?
I went to this really good bagel shop called Calic Bagels. I really like it and I definitely recommend it. And then I went to the Broad Museum. I've been to Manhattan Beach and I went to a Lakers game last season. But I still need to go to the Griffith Observatory during sunset.
Who do you look up to the most on the team and why?
There are a few players. I think I look up to London Wijay a lot because she's an undersized outside, like me. And I think she's just a good overall and all-around volleyball player. I just want to play like her. I also look up to Adonia Faumuina. I really like her leadership and it is something that I really admire. She just makes people feel welcome.
Who on the team is most likely to make you laugh?
I would say either Addison Townsend because she has good jokes. Her or Taliyah Hanks. I'm rooming with Hanks and she just makes me laugh all the time.
What is something you look forward to most this upcoming season?
This might not be a lot of people's answers, but I look forward to traveling. I want to see all the different states that we travel to this season. I also want to play in loud gyms and experience the atmosphere of playing collegiate volleyball. It's something I've always wanted to do and I've experienced to a small degree but nothing to the level we will see in Division I.
What individual goals do you have for yourself for the upcoming season?
I mean the main one would be to start in any way I can, whether that's at DS or on the outside. I also want to develop into a leader.
Players Mentioned
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Monday, August 03
Thursday, December 11
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