Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
Rookie Rallies: USC Volleyball Q&A with Paisley Douglas
September 23, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Rookie Rallies," where we spotlight USC's newest women's volleyball stars. We're giving you an exclusive look at the talented athletes preparing to make their mark on the court. Learn about their ambitions, hobbies, motivations, and more.
Meet libero Paisley Douglas, who comes to Troy from Omaha, Nebraska.
Q: I want to start with why you chose USC.
PD: I chose USC because I could see the program was headed in the right direction and liked what the coaching staff had to offer in terms of how they were towards the players, the team, and the relationships they built on and off the court. I did want to go away from home, so it was a perfect location for me personally. I like the opportunities it has.
Q: If you could describe the team's culture, what would it be?
PD: Positive. Uplifting.
Q: Do you have a volleyball motto, or any sort of advice a coach has given you that will always stick with you?
PD: Play like it's your last time. Just give it your all each and every time you're out there. You never know what can happen and its motivation to do your best.
Q: Yeah, that's good. What do you love the most about volleyball?
PD: I love the friendships and relationships it's given me.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play volleyball at a higher level?
PD: Probably when I was 13 or 14.
Q: Was there a match or specific coach that inspired you to play more?
PD: In club season, we had a big sister-little sister program. We were the "little sisters" to the 18s team, and they were all going to play in college, and I thought that was super cool.
Q: What would success look like this year?
PD: Success would involve competing in every match to the best of our ability and maintaining positivity, hard work, and driven attitudes throughout the whole process.
Q: Who do you look up to the most on the team?
PD: I really look up to Gala because she's the same position as me, and she has been training with these coaches for a while, so I'm watching her and trying to do what she does.
Q: Have you been watching the Olympics? What sports have you been following?
PD: I really like gymnastics. Obviously, volleyball. I watched a little bit of everything. Some basketball.
Q: Aside from volleyball, which sport would you like to try?
PD: Gymnastics.
Q: Do you have any experience with it?
PD: No. I just really love it. It's so cool.
Q: Which events would you want to try?
PD: Bars. The fact that they can go from one height — especially from lower to higher — it just doesn't make sense.
Q: You mentioned that you won state every single year when you were in high school. Can you talk about that experience, as both a freshman and senior, and everything in between? What's that like?
PD: Every single day — it's the same in college, where you're working for a national championship — but in high school, it's different, you're working for a state championship. Just every day, that's the goal, that's what your mindset is, that's what you're working for. Once you're in that moment, you have to accept that pressure and do what you've been trained to do.
Q: As a senior, you were the only captain on your team. How has the transition been from being in that leadership position to being a freshman here?
PD: Just taking the few things I've learned, trying not to be shy and having a voice to say the things I know. It might be different from what someone's heard. Having the ability to speak up and be helpful.
Q: Who on the team would you most trust to be by your side in a zombie apocalypse?
PD: Rylie. Although she's so funny, I feel like she would have my back.
Q: What is your favorite way to relax after a game?
PD: Eat ice cream. Cookie dough ice cream.
Q: Have you found a good ice cream place here yet?
PD: No, there's like Insomnia and Cold Stone, but none of us have a car.
Q: Are you excited to explore L.A.? What have you most liked so far?
PD: I really like the beach and the weather. We've been going to Manhattan Beach.
Q: Good beach to go to. What is something small that brings you joy?
PD: Smiles and happiness.
Q: What is your song of the summer?
PD: I listen to a lot of country music. I like Zach Bryan's new album.
Q: What about USC, aside from volleyball, are you most looking forward to?
PD: The community. I feel like there's a lot of different opportunities to get involved and meet new people.
Â
Meet libero Paisley Douglas, who comes to Troy from Omaha, Nebraska.
Q: I want to start with why you chose USC.
PD: I chose USC because I could see the program was headed in the right direction and liked what the coaching staff had to offer in terms of how they were towards the players, the team, and the relationships they built on and off the court. I did want to go away from home, so it was a perfect location for me personally. I like the opportunities it has.
Q: If you could describe the team's culture, what would it be?
PD: Positive. Uplifting.
Q: Do you have a volleyball motto, or any sort of advice a coach has given you that will always stick with you?
PD: Play like it's your last time. Just give it your all each and every time you're out there. You never know what can happen and its motivation to do your best.
Q: Yeah, that's good. What do you love the most about volleyball?
PD: I love the friendships and relationships it's given me.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play volleyball at a higher level?
PD: Probably when I was 13 or 14.
Q: Was there a match or specific coach that inspired you to play more?
PD: In club season, we had a big sister-little sister program. We were the "little sisters" to the 18s team, and they were all going to play in college, and I thought that was super cool.
Q: What would success look like this year?
PD: Success would involve competing in every match to the best of our ability and maintaining positivity, hard work, and driven attitudes throughout the whole process.
Q: Who do you look up to the most on the team?
PD: I really look up to Gala because she's the same position as me, and she has been training with these coaches for a while, so I'm watching her and trying to do what she does.
Q: Have you been watching the Olympics? What sports have you been following?
PD: I really like gymnastics. Obviously, volleyball. I watched a little bit of everything. Some basketball.
Q: Aside from volleyball, which sport would you like to try?
PD: Gymnastics.
Q: Do you have any experience with it?
PD: No. I just really love it. It's so cool.
Q: Which events would you want to try?
PD: Bars. The fact that they can go from one height — especially from lower to higher — it just doesn't make sense.
Q: You mentioned that you won state every single year when you were in high school. Can you talk about that experience, as both a freshman and senior, and everything in between? What's that like?
PD: Every single day — it's the same in college, where you're working for a national championship — but in high school, it's different, you're working for a state championship. Just every day, that's the goal, that's what your mindset is, that's what you're working for. Once you're in that moment, you have to accept that pressure and do what you've been trained to do.
Q: As a senior, you were the only captain on your team. How has the transition been from being in that leadership position to being a freshman here?
PD: Just taking the few things I've learned, trying not to be shy and having a voice to say the things I know. It might be different from what someone's heard. Having the ability to speak up and be helpful.
Q: Who on the team would you most trust to be by your side in a zombie apocalypse?
PD: Rylie. Although she's so funny, I feel like she would have my back.
Q: What is your favorite way to relax after a game?
PD: Eat ice cream. Cookie dough ice cream.
Q: Have you found a good ice cream place here yet?
PD: No, there's like Insomnia and Cold Stone, but none of us have a car.
Q: Are you excited to explore L.A.? What have you most liked so far?
PD: I really like the beach and the weather. We've been going to Manhattan Beach.
Q: Good beach to go to. What is something small that brings you joy?
PD: Smiles and happiness.
Q: What is your song of the summer?
PD: I listen to a lot of country music. I like Zach Bryan's new album.
Q: What about USC, aside from volleyball, are you most looking forward to?
PD: The community. I feel like there's a lot of different opportunities to get involved and meet new people.
Â
Women's Volleyball - USC 3, Creighton 0: Highlights (9/9/25)
Sunday, September 07
Women's Volleyball - USC 3, San Diego 2: Highlights (9/6/25)
Saturday, September 06
USC Women's Volleyball vs San Diego Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
Women's Volleyball vs UC Santa Barbara Post Game Press Conference (9/5/2025)
Friday, September 05
