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Rookie Rallies: USC Volleyball Q&A with Brooklyn Tealer
September 24, 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.
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Meet outside hitter Brooklyn Tealer, who comes from Gainesville, Florida.
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Q: Let's start with why you chose USC!
BT: Aside from volleyball, I am super into academic success, so that was really appealing. Brad also made it clear that he recruited personalities and that he wanted to change the culture here. Some programs had the same coach they have had for the past 30 years and the same system. I like that Brad was trying to change the program and incorporate new things.
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Q: Did he mention what type of culture he was trying to build?
BT: Yeah, he mentioned that the culture under their previous coach was not too great. He emphasized the importance of having people who really want to be here and have a positive impact on the rest of the team. After meeting everybody when I came on my visit, it felt like a warm welcome. It was nice to be in that environment.
Â
Q: If you had to describe the atmosphere of practices in one word, what would it be?
BT: Uplifting. Or energetic. Even though I've been hurt during this time, everybody's been checking on me and making sure I'm not getting down on myself. It seems like everyone genuinely cares about each other.
Â
Q: What do you like the most about volleyball?
BT: I love how collaborative it is. There's never just one star player who can do everything. Everybody has their own part they can play, and everybody's important in one way or another. I like the chemistry that comes from playing a team sport like that.
Â
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play volleyball at a higher level?
BT: I didn't realize I could until I was 13, and someone reached out for the first time. That was the first time I considered it. I realized I wanted to when I was around 15. I started really enjoying the training process and watching others. I also grew up around the University of Florida's volleyball program. After watching them more and putting myself in their shoes, I realized that was something I could legitimately do.
Â
Q: Is there advice you've received from high school or club that will stick with you?
BT: I'm a big overthinker. I had a club coach who had me strip down all of my thoughts and just play. That's been huge for me because otherwise, I would over-analyze everything in my head. So, just play and find a flow or rhythm. Not trying to be too analytical is the best advice I've received.
Â
Q: What would success look like to you this year?
BT: First, it would be — for me personally, getting healthy and being able to integrate myself into the volleyball portion of this team. As a collective, it would be incorporating everything we're working on in practice and getting better each day to the point where at the end of the season, regardless of what point in the postseason that may be, that we feel proud of what we built.
Â
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
BT: Not really, no. I listen to music, but I don't do much else.
Â
Q: Who do you look up to the most on the team?
BT: Gala. She's always been super positive and uplifting. I've never seen her get super hard on herself. She has had a positive impact on the team.
Â
Q: What is your favorite way to unwind after a game?
BT: Also listening to music.
Â
Q: Do you have different playlists, pre-game and post-game?
BT: Very different playlists, yeah. Taking a nice long shower. Anything like that.
Â
Q: Did you watch the Olympics?
BT: I did. I followed basketball and track-and-field really closely. I watched some volleyball, obviously. Gymnastics too. But really, I love watching track. I was super focused on that.
Â
Q: Aside from volleyball, what sport would you like to try?
BT: It would probably track. I've always been relatively fast, and apparently, my dad tried to put me in track when I was little, and I said no. I wish he had. I love running and feel I'd be pretty good at it.Â
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Q: Who on the team would you trust the most by your side in an apocalypse?Â
BT: Probably Tyra. She's super strong and smart and wise. I'd probably stick by her.
Â
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
BT: I can hold a handstand for a pretty long time. I used to do gymnastics when I was, like, six. For some reason, a handstand is the only thing I really held on to.
Â
Q: So gymnastics didn't stick?
BT: No, I outgrew that. But the handstand part — I made sure I had that in my arsenal.
Â
Q: So, did you choose volleyball over gymnastics?
BT: I kinda outgrew it at a certain point. Then I did dance, and after dance, I chose volleyball.
Â
Q: What about Southern California are you most looking forward to?
BT: Specifically L.A. I came from a really small town, so there's so much to see here. It's super exciting. There are so many opportunities. The weather's great. I love going to the beach. There's so much to explore, but I haven't gotten to do that yet. There are plenty of opportunities for work and school that I'm excited about.
Â
Q: Yeah, you mentioned you're looking to be a pharmacist with a Human Bio major? How do you think that balance between school and sports is going to be?
BT: I have a solid support system here. I spend a lot of time talking to Ricky, and then Brad knows I'm invested in my schoolwork, and that's a priority for me. Having a staff that understands that's a big part of why I'm here is helpful. I know it won't be easy, but I've managed to balance it up to this point, so hopefully, I can keep doing that.
Â
Meet outside hitter Brooklyn Tealer, who comes from Gainesville, Florida.
Â
Q: Let's start with why you chose USC!
BT: Aside from volleyball, I am super into academic success, so that was really appealing. Brad also made it clear that he recruited personalities and that he wanted to change the culture here. Some programs had the same coach they have had for the past 30 years and the same system. I like that Brad was trying to change the program and incorporate new things.
Â
Q: Did he mention what type of culture he was trying to build?
BT: Yeah, he mentioned that the culture under their previous coach was not too great. He emphasized the importance of having people who really want to be here and have a positive impact on the rest of the team. After meeting everybody when I came on my visit, it felt like a warm welcome. It was nice to be in that environment.
Â
Q: If you had to describe the atmosphere of practices in one word, what would it be?
BT: Uplifting. Or energetic. Even though I've been hurt during this time, everybody's been checking on me and making sure I'm not getting down on myself. It seems like everyone genuinely cares about each other.
Â
Q: What do you like the most about volleyball?
BT: I love how collaborative it is. There's never just one star player who can do everything. Everybody has their own part they can play, and everybody's important in one way or another. I like the chemistry that comes from playing a team sport like that.
Â
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play volleyball at a higher level?
BT: I didn't realize I could until I was 13, and someone reached out for the first time. That was the first time I considered it. I realized I wanted to when I was around 15. I started really enjoying the training process and watching others. I also grew up around the University of Florida's volleyball program. After watching them more and putting myself in their shoes, I realized that was something I could legitimately do.
Â
Q: Is there advice you've received from high school or club that will stick with you?
BT: I'm a big overthinker. I had a club coach who had me strip down all of my thoughts and just play. That's been huge for me because otherwise, I would over-analyze everything in my head. So, just play and find a flow or rhythm. Not trying to be too analytical is the best advice I've received.
Â
Q: What would success look like to you this year?
BT: First, it would be — for me personally, getting healthy and being able to integrate myself into the volleyball portion of this team. As a collective, it would be incorporating everything we're working on in practice and getting better each day to the point where at the end of the season, regardless of what point in the postseason that may be, that we feel proud of what we built.
Â
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
BT: Not really, no. I listen to music, but I don't do much else.
Â
Q: Who do you look up to the most on the team?
BT: Gala. She's always been super positive and uplifting. I've never seen her get super hard on herself. She has had a positive impact on the team.
Â
Q: What is your favorite way to unwind after a game?
BT: Also listening to music.
Â
Q: Do you have different playlists, pre-game and post-game?
BT: Very different playlists, yeah. Taking a nice long shower. Anything like that.
Â
Q: Did you watch the Olympics?
BT: I did. I followed basketball and track-and-field really closely. I watched some volleyball, obviously. Gymnastics too. But really, I love watching track. I was super focused on that.
Â
Q: Aside from volleyball, what sport would you like to try?
BT: It would probably track. I've always been relatively fast, and apparently, my dad tried to put me in track when I was little, and I said no. I wish he had. I love running and feel I'd be pretty good at it.Â
Â
Q: Who on the team would you trust the most by your side in an apocalypse?Â
BT: Probably Tyra. She's super strong and smart and wise. I'd probably stick by her.
Â
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
BT: I can hold a handstand for a pretty long time. I used to do gymnastics when I was, like, six. For some reason, a handstand is the only thing I really held on to.
Â
Q: So gymnastics didn't stick?
BT: No, I outgrew that. But the handstand part — I made sure I had that in my arsenal.
Â
Q: So, did you choose volleyball over gymnastics?
BT: I kinda outgrew it at a certain point. Then I did dance, and after dance, I chose volleyball.
Â
Q: What about Southern California are you most looking forward to?
BT: Specifically L.A. I came from a really small town, so there's so much to see here. It's super exciting. There are so many opportunities. The weather's great. I love going to the beach. There's so much to explore, but I haven't gotten to do that yet. There are plenty of opportunities for work and school that I'm excited about.
Â
Q: Yeah, you mentioned you're looking to be a pharmacist with a Human Bio major? How do you think that balance between school and sports is going to be?
BT: I have a solid support system here. I spend a lot of time talking to Ricky, and then Brad knows I'm invested in my schoolwork, and that's a priority for me. Having a staff that understands that's a big part of why I'm here is helpful. I know it won't be easy, but I've managed to balance it up to this point, so hopefully, I can keep doing that.
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