Women's Volleyball Q&A: Nikki Lyons
9/29/2016 9:46:00 AM | Women's Volleyball, Competing With Purpose Blog
After a terrific freshman year in which she earned a starting spot for the Pepperdine indoor volleyball team, played on the beach volleyball team that made an appearance at the inaugural NCAA Championships and claimed Pepperdine Scholar-Athlete honors, sophomore Nikki Lyons is ready to take on her second year as a Wave. The daughter of former professional player Frank Lyons, she provided us with some insights into her love for the sport,her family and Pepperdine:
Q: Tell us about your father's professional career.
A: My dad played professionally on the AVP Tour during his 20s.
Q: Did his success on the beach fuel your desire to play?
A: His career ended shortly after he had my older sister, so I think that led him to teaching me and my sisters to play. He coached us a lot when we were little and he would play with us all the time so it was always a little motivation because you can't let your old man beat you!
Q: What in particular do you like about indoor volleyball?
A:Â I think my favorite part of indoor is the team aspect. Knowing that no matter what, you have 20 other girls to back you up really helps me as a player. It takes a lot of pressure off a single person when there are so many people thereto help you carry the load. Another thing I really enjoy about indoor is the fast pace. Constantly staying engaged is such a challenge, but it's what I love most about it.
Q: What in particular do you like about beach volleyball?
A: Beach volleyball is so similar to indoor,but so different as well. I really like the fact that it's just you and one other person so you have complete control over the outcome. I also like it because it forces you to be good and consistent at every skill. I also like it because it's a constant grind.
Q: Did your dad ever tell you some favorite memories from playing?
A: If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase, "Back when I played..." I think I'd be rich! My dad does bring up his memories -- both good and bad -- to give me a reference sometimes and to help put things into perspective. Nowadays with technology it's a little easier to reach a high level, but to reach a high level back in the day took a lot of hard work and dedication. I love hearing his stories about how he pushed himself to reach that level and how he didn't make any excuses.
Q: Did you ever get to watch him play?
A: I wish I could've seen him play! All I have are pictures and he had major hops. I clearly didn't inherit that gene!
Q: What is one thing that you like to do in preparation for a match?
A: Â During my club years, I used to prepare by listening to music a lot and getting intense pretty early. Now playing in college, I like to keep things light for most of the day and then about 20 minutes before warm-ups is when I really mentally engage and prepare myself. I think this way it allows me to relieve some of the pressure rather than having it build up all day.
Q: What is your best team memory from playing at Pepperdine so far?
A: There are so many memories from our road trips that it's hard to pick just one! This year we went to Hawai'i for preseason and it was unreal. We went cliff jumping in the North Shore, got acai bowls and did so much exploring it would be hard to not say that's one of my favorite memories so far. One of the coolest memories, playing-wise, was the preseason game against UCLA this year. I don't think I've ever seen Firestone Fieldhouse so packed for a women's volleyball match. It was so much fun to play in front of such a lively and cheerful crowd!
Q: Your sister, Brooke, also played. Do you all have big family games or tournaments?
A: We used to play a lot of beach when we were kids, but now my dad has a bad back and my sister hasn't played in a while so they just prefer to watch me do all the work!
Q: Does your dad/family get to watch you play a lot from Florida?
A: Luckily, almost all of our games are live streamed so my parents usually stay up and watch. My mom even stayed up for our matches against Hawaii that started at 1 a.m. Florida time! They also come out here a decent amount.
Q: Did they go watch the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama, while you were there?
A:Yes! It's practically in Florida so they wouldn't have missed it because they wouldn't have heard the end of it from me!
