Get to Know: Addison Coady

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 middle blocker Addison Coady (Newport Beach, Calif./Mater Dei HS) grew up in Southern California and chose USC for its athletic and academic prowess.

Get to know Addison Coady!

Why did you choose USC?
I was born and raised in California, and I love the state. During my recruiting visits, I went out of state at first, and I just realized that wasn't what I wanted. I wanted to stay in California because I love it here. And then when I talked to the coaching staff and then visited, I fell in love with the program. I love the team. The girls were so outgoing and nice. It was a very family vibe, which I was really looking for in school. It was everything I was looking for — academics, staying in California, a great team, a great staff, resources and connections. It was just the whole package for me.

How long have you been with the team and how would you describe the team's culture?
I graduated early from high school. I would say I have a pretty decent understanding of the team. I would say they're outgoing, but like they look to support each other. Everyone's very welcoming, and they want to make a family culture. Everyone's friends and there's not a lot of drama on our team or any at all. It's just smooth sailing, and everyone just really gets along well. I would say we also all work. Everyone likes to get after it in the gym and get after it in the weight room. Overall it's a good, supportive culture.

How was the transition from high school to USC?
I think it was a challenge just to graduate early and adjust to going from being a senior in high school and then becoming a freshman again. It's just a big mental challenge and it's important to remind myself that I can do this. And that you're up to the challenge of playing at this level and maintaining a school-life balance. The whole transition is a very difficult one, but I think that the people here make it a lot easier. They work to make it as seamless as possible. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have its challenges.

When did you realize you wanted to play at the collegiate level and when did you realize that you could?
Well, I started volleyball at a tweens camp, and they asked me to join the club team that year. So I did, and I was in the fours that year. The next year, I was in the twos, and the next year I joined the ones. I've been on the ones since, and I think once I spent that first year at the ones teams, the U14s, that was when I realized everyone around me had aspirations to go play Division I. We're all planning or hoping to do it. I think that was kind of when I had the realization I wanted to, and I think U15s is when I had the realization that I actually could do it, and that it was like a realistic possibility to do it.

What other sports did you play growing up?
Oh, loads. My whole family is very big on sports. I played tennis, swim, soccer, and basketball. I actually quit basketball to play volleyball. Also, I did horseback riding for a little bit. And I played golf for a little bit. I've done a little of everything.

What made you choose volleyball?
I really liked volleyball because it is a team sport. I definitely liked the team environment, and I think it came down between basketball and volleyball. And I just liked the game of volleyball more. I genuinely enjoyed being in the gym, and I told my mom, I want to go to more practices, more private training, more time in the gym and that was kind of my sign that volleyball was the game for me.

What are some skills that have transferred to volleyball from playing other sports growing up?
I probably have brought stuff over from other sports. It's probably unconscious. I think it's more the mentality that I brought over — like persevering and the work ethic. Or like always reaching for the next goal and that competitive mindset. I think it just stayed with me throughout all the sports that I've played. That's what's carried over more, but I'm sure there's other small quirks that have as well.

If you had to introduce yourself without mentioning volleyball, how would you do it?
I would say that I'm the oldest of three sisters in a family of five. I'm really close to my family. I'm a dual citizen. I'm half Canadian. My mom was born in Canada. I'm a very active person. I love the beach. I grew up on the beach and I spent all my summers on the beach.

What's been your favorite moment so far with the team?
Oh, my gosh! Hands down, the top memory is we all went on a retreat to Palm Springs as like a little team bonding exercise. We spent a weekend up there, and it was just so fun. It was just awesome. It was just a really good team bonding experience, and we all got really close, so that was fun. Also, oh my God, it was so hot. But we spent all day in the pool. We were doing like really races in the pool, and it was awesome.

What is your pregame ritual or rituals, if you have any?
I don't really have any rituals. I will say I am kind of superstitious though. I'm a middle blocker, and when I go off on rotation and I'm on the bench, I have to stand in the exact same spot every time. Or else I think, 'We're not gonna do good if I'm not in the same spot.' And, I also notice on game days, I tend to put my shoes on, right to left. I have to put them from right to left. But I'm dead set on certain things. But there are certain things I get superstitious about, but they develop over the season as stuff is working. I think, 'Okay, if that's working, I have to keep doing that.' Or if that didn't work, I say, 'I can't do that anymore.'

What's your favorite way to unwind after a match?
I love to take a nice long shower or bath and that just really helps me reset. I actually enjoy reading a lot, and sometimes reading helps me detach. Because when I am on my phone, I feel my head is going in a lot of directions. I just need something calm, something analog.

You're in charge of the aux court on a road trip. What's the first song you're picking?
Anything by Rihanna. Any one of her songs is a must. The specific Rihanna song would be dependent on the vibe of the car ride.

What's something that's surprised you about living in Los Angeles?
I would say how far everything is from each other. Also, I'm used to traffic because I went to play club volleyball in Long Beach, and I definitely drove a lot. But I would say traffic in Los Angeles is different. From USC to downtown, I was just shocked that it takes 40 mins for only a few miles. And I think to myself, 'Oh my god, this is kind of insane from where I'm from.'

What is something on your Los Angeles bucket list that you've yet to explore?
It's not in Los Angeles, but I want to go horseback riding on the trails in Malibu. I think that would be so fun.

Have you discovered a favorite restaurant or somewhere you go to that has become your go-to?
I go to Yumi Sushi a lot. It's in Manhattan Beach and it is really good. It's sweatpants-type sushi, but it's really good sushi. I love seafood. I like their crunchy roll, a shrimp crunchy roll or shrimp tempura. Those are really good. But I will try any sushi. I am an adventurous eater. I will literally try anything, like sea urchin.

Who on the team do you look up to the most?
I would say Adonia Faumuina for her leadership and her selflessness. She's so selfless, she always puts the team first, and I think that's why I really look up to her. And I think in my position, both Leah Ford and Mia Tvrdy, because they're juniors and seniors, and they're ahead of me in my position. They're very like strong middles on the court, so it's just inspiring. I want to play like how they do.

Who on the team makes you laugh the most?
Probably, Milly McGee.

What is one individual goal you have for the upcoming season?
To be the best player I can for my team, whether that's in practice or whether I need to go on the court or whatever my role is. To be the best possible version of myself that I can be, and give 100% effort to everything that I'm doing, even if it's not a role I thought I would be in.

Get to Know: Addison Coady

Players Mentioned

Addison Coady

Adonia Faumuina

Leah Ford

Milly McGee

Mia Tvrdy

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