LA Story: Connor Inlow
July 28, 2017 | Men's Volleyball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
From glamorous Hollywood to the sunny, sandy beach cities, Los Angeles is home to millions of dreamers. For Connor Inlow, donning Cardinal and Gold as a member of USC's men's volleyball team is a dream come true.
Raised in Manhattan Beach, the so-called "The Home of Beach Volleyball," Inlow was introduced to the sport early in life.
"I learned to love the game by growing up playing with my friends, and then I began to take it more and more seriously," said the rising redshirt junior middle blocker. "Volleyball has been such a huge part of my life because of where I grew up."
Ever year since 1960, Manhattan Beach has hosted the Manhattan Beach Open, which has evolved from an amateur tournament to a staple of the professional beach tour. The plaques of the "Volleyball Walk of Fame" adorn the Manhattan Beach Pier, and the shores see thousands of Angelenos bumping, setting and spiking every week.
Alongside the community of beach volleyball lovers in Manhattan Beach is a large population of USC alumni, which helped shape Inlow's dreams as a young man.
"If you go walk along the Strand, you can't go a block without a USC flag or a USC license plate," Inlow said. "That's how I knew about USC growing up. None of my family went here, but I grew up meeting a ton of USC alums, and then I learned the rich tradition of volleyball and successful athletics at USC."
Inlow is now building upon that tradition at USC, hitting .409 with 93 kills, 40 digs and 27 blocks in 2017. Individual accomplishments aside, Inlow relishes the opportunity to play in his city and for his city.
"I love my city so much," he said. "I can't imagine growing up anywhere else. I can't imagine even ever leaving the area ... I take so much pride in my city, and any way I can represent it is awesome for me."
Check out Inlow's full LA Story below:
Â
Raised in Manhattan Beach, the so-called "The Home of Beach Volleyball," Inlow was introduced to the sport early in life.
"I learned to love the game by growing up playing with my friends, and then I began to take it more and more seriously," said the rising redshirt junior middle blocker. "Volleyball has been such a huge part of my life because of where I grew up."
Ever year since 1960, Manhattan Beach has hosted the Manhattan Beach Open, which has evolved from an amateur tournament to a staple of the professional beach tour. The plaques of the "Volleyball Walk of Fame" adorn the Manhattan Beach Pier, and the shores see thousands of Angelenos bumping, setting and spiking every week.
Alongside the community of beach volleyball lovers in Manhattan Beach is a large population of USC alumni, which helped shape Inlow's dreams as a young man.
"If you go walk along the Strand, you can't go a block without a USC flag or a USC license plate," Inlow said. "That's how I knew about USC growing up. None of my family went here, but I grew up meeting a ton of USC alums, and then I learned the rich tradition of volleyball and successful athletics at USC."
Inlow is now building upon that tradition at USC, hitting .409 with 93 kills, 40 digs and 27 blocks in 2017. Individual accomplishments aside, Inlow relishes the opportunity to play in his city and for his city.
"I love my city so much," he said. "I can't imagine growing up anywhere else. I can't imagine even ever leaving the area ... I take so much pride in my city, and any way I can represent it is awesome for me."
Check out Inlow's full LA Story below:
Â
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Men's VolleyballWin The Era, Together
Monday, October 06
Women's Volleyball - USC 0, Purdue 3: Highlights (10/04/25)
Saturday, October 04
Women's Volleyball - USC 1, Indiana 3 (Highlights: 10/03/25)
Friday, October 03
USC HC Lincoln Riley | Thursday of Bye Week 1
Thursday, October 02
