University Southern California Trojans
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/ Women's Volleyball
Rookie Rallies: USC Volleyball Q&A with Jadyn Livings
September 26, 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 Jadyn Livings from Texas.
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Q: I would love to know why you chose USC.
JL: The culture here was completely different from every other place I visited. All the girls have such unique personalities that, compared to other places, it makes them look boring. Everyone is so encouraging. Especially being a freshman, I was really scared and nervous, but they've all been so welcoming. As far as the school, the coaches are always making sure that we're doing our best inside and outside the classroom with all the resources that other schools don't have.
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Q: Do you have a volleyball mantra or some advice from high school or club that you'll never forget?
JL: It's kind of cringey, but when I was nine, we had this saying on our t-shirts that my dad would always repeat. He goes, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." I'm sure everyone knows that one. But that's the one I like.Â
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Q: You had your first practice today. In one word, how would you describe this team's culture so far?
JL: Vibrant. If you have a conversation with any of the girls, you'll feel extremely welcome. Their smile on their face is going to put a smile on your face. The culture here is just so vibrant, I guess is a good word to put it.
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Q: That's a good word to put it. What do you love most about volleyball?
JL: I'd probably have to say the people on the team. If I didn't like the people on the team, it would suck, and that goes for everything you do. And the girls here are so amazing. They're like family members, and I've only known them for two months.
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Q: When did you realize you wanted to play at a higher level?
JL: I started at six. I realized I wanted to keep playing toward a D1 level at age 14, right before COVID-19 hit. You just have so much time on your hands, and you don't know what to do. My sisters and I, who also play volleyball, would go to the beach courts by our house every day and start playing. Playing with people I love made me want to do that.
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Q: You have an extensive sports family, with family members in the NFL, NBA, and WNBA. What is it like to have that unique community supporting you?
JL: People would think that you're under so much pressure because, oh, your dad's in the NFL, and your uncle's in the NBA. It's really not. They just want the best for you, whatever it is you want. And they want you to work hard for it. The big thing in our family is working hard for it, which is why they were able to get to where they were—the same thing with grades. If you're not working hard and you deserve that F, you're not working hard, and you don't deserve to play. It's just an effort.
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Q: Did it ever cross your mind to play a different sport?
JL: No. I suck at everything else.Â
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Q: Aside from volleyball, what sport would you like to try?
JL: I would definitely want to do track. I think everyone who does track is so tough, and it's an outdoor sport. I'm not an outdoor person, but like, I would do track.
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Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
JL: I don't do anything before the game, but I do stuff during the game if that makes sense. Anytime I make a good play or make a mistake, I go outside the court and tap the court. Brad used to make fun of me for it a little bit.
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Q: Is there a reason why you do that?
JL: It's just to reset. If I make a good play, okay — reset. You know what I mean? Make a mistake — reset.
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Q: I see. What about Southern California are you most looking forward to this year?
JL: The beach. I'm just kidding. We don't have beaches in Texas. I would say everyone wants to be in L.A., so the fact that I can be here is insane. What drew me to L.A. in the first place was that it was completely different from everywhere else I've been, but different in a good way. The stuff that we're doing here is stuff that other people aren't doing.
Â
Q: Some fun questions now. You mentioned you like The Flash and Wonder Woman. So, if you could have any superpower, what would it be?
JL: It would be speed. I want to be speedy.
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Q: You want to be a track star!
JL: Haha, secretly.
Â
Q: You've also mentioned that you love bagels. What is your bagel order?
JL: My mom sends me these Instagram reels 24/7, you know—all moms do it. There was this bagel. It had pesto, an egg, red pepper, and seasoning. It was really, really good.
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Q: In a zombie apocalypse, which three teammates would you want on your side, and why?
JL: I feel like I would not survive with anyone. It would probably be Paisley, Brooklyn, and Mia. Mia is strong. Paisley and Brooklyn are very, very smart. Paisley is very focused, and Brooklyn strategizes. And I would just survive.
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Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
JL: My favorite color is orange. I think everyone who knows me knows that.
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Meet outside hitter Jadyn Livings from Texas.
Â
Q: I would love to know why you chose USC.
JL: The culture here was completely different from every other place I visited. All the girls have such unique personalities that, compared to other places, it makes them look boring. Everyone is so encouraging. Especially being a freshman, I was really scared and nervous, but they've all been so welcoming. As far as the school, the coaches are always making sure that we're doing our best inside and outside the classroom with all the resources that other schools don't have.
Â
Q: Do you have a volleyball mantra or some advice from high school or club that you'll never forget?
JL: It's kind of cringey, but when I was nine, we had this saying on our t-shirts that my dad would always repeat. He goes, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." I'm sure everyone knows that one. But that's the one I like.Â
Â
Q: You had your first practice today. In one word, how would you describe this team's culture so far?
JL: Vibrant. If you have a conversation with any of the girls, you'll feel extremely welcome. Their smile on their face is going to put a smile on your face. The culture here is just so vibrant, I guess is a good word to put it.
Â
Q: That's a good word to put it. What do you love most about volleyball?
JL: I'd probably have to say the people on the team. If I didn't like the people on the team, it would suck, and that goes for everything you do. And the girls here are so amazing. They're like family members, and I've only known them for two months.
Â
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play at a higher level?
JL: I started at six. I realized I wanted to keep playing toward a D1 level at age 14, right before COVID-19 hit. You just have so much time on your hands, and you don't know what to do. My sisters and I, who also play volleyball, would go to the beach courts by our house every day and start playing. Playing with people I love made me want to do that.
Â
Q: You have an extensive sports family, with family members in the NFL, NBA, and WNBA. What is it like to have that unique community supporting you?
JL: People would think that you're under so much pressure because, oh, your dad's in the NFL, and your uncle's in the NBA. It's really not. They just want the best for you, whatever it is you want. And they want you to work hard for it. The big thing in our family is working hard for it, which is why they were able to get to where they were—the same thing with grades. If you're not working hard and you deserve that F, you're not working hard, and you don't deserve to play. It's just an effort.
Â
Q: Did it ever cross your mind to play a different sport?
JL: No. I suck at everything else.Â
 Â
Q: Aside from volleyball, what sport would you like to try?
JL: I would definitely want to do track. I think everyone who does track is so tough, and it's an outdoor sport. I'm not an outdoor person, but like, I would do track.
Â
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
JL: I don't do anything before the game, but I do stuff during the game if that makes sense. Anytime I make a good play or make a mistake, I go outside the court and tap the court. Brad used to make fun of me for it a little bit.
Â
Q: Is there a reason why you do that?
JL: It's just to reset. If I make a good play, okay — reset. You know what I mean? Make a mistake — reset.
Â
Q: I see. What about Southern California are you most looking forward to this year?
JL: The beach. I'm just kidding. We don't have beaches in Texas. I would say everyone wants to be in L.A., so the fact that I can be here is insane. What drew me to L.A. in the first place was that it was completely different from everywhere else I've been, but different in a good way. The stuff that we're doing here is stuff that other people aren't doing.
Â
Q: Some fun questions now. You mentioned you like The Flash and Wonder Woman. So, if you could have any superpower, what would it be?
JL: It would be speed. I want to be speedy.
Â
Q: You want to be a track star!
JL: Haha, secretly.
Â
Q: You've also mentioned that you love bagels. What is your bagel order?
JL: My mom sends me these Instagram reels 24/7, you know—all moms do it. There was this bagel. It had pesto, an egg, red pepper, and seasoning. It was really, really good.
Â
Q: In a zombie apocalypse, which three teammates would you want on your side, and why?
JL: I feel like I would not survive with anyone. It would probably be Paisley, Brooklyn, and Mia. Mia is strong. Paisley and Brooklyn are very, very smart. Paisley is very focused, and Brooklyn strategizes. And I would just survive.
Â
Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
JL: My favorite color is orange. I think everyone who knows me knows that.
Â
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