10 Questions With OCC's Beach Volleyball's Haley Reid

Our final installment of "10 Questions" comes courtesy of Orange Coast College freshman beach volleyball player Haley Reid.

1. Do you remember when you first started playing beach volleyball? What is it about the sport you love so much? And … tell us how you made it here to OCC??

"I started playing volleyball in third grade. My older played and I've always admired her so I started playing too. I played indoor for the first couple of years in high school before I discovered beach volleyball. I love being able to just play volleyball outside and being able to bond with your partner. I came to OCC because my sister played there before me and I wanted to follow in her footsteps."

2. You managed to get some experience at the collegiate level with OCC last spring before COVID shut down all of our spring sports. What are some of the things you learned during that time that will help you develop as a player for the upcoming season?

"For me, it was definitely team bonding. The friendships I made last year I think that will help me this year. Last year, I learned that it really took more skills to succeed than playing at the high school level."

3. How has it been playing for Chuck? What have you learned from him during your time at OCC?

"I learned that for him, team bonding is so important. He does a great job bringing the girls together and playing as a group. He wants you to be yourself and work hard. He's great at balancing a friendship, but also being a coach … he'll keep you on your toes."

4. What has it been like during this pandemic and what have you been able to do to stay sharp as we head towards the 2021 season?

"I've been trying to keep a good mindset. I know that it's hard that we can't be together. Before we were allowed to get back together, we were only allowed to see each other on Zoom so we really just tried to keep a positive mindset, which I think has helped us get ready for this upcoming season."

5. OK … fun volleyball question for you … so if I gave you an opportunity to partner up with any famous beach volleyball player, who would it be and why?

"For me, it would have to be Kerri Walsh-Jennings. I grew up watching her play and she was always just so great. She's definitely been a role model of mine."

6. If I gave you a 24-hour pass from COVID and you could do anything that you used to do, what would it be?? What do you miss the most from this isolation??

"I would definitely want to go to a concert … The Lumineers! I love music and miss going to shows so much."

7. All kids like to eat … what are your favorite meals??
   1. Favorite food in general – "Sushi … I can eat that that all day. My favorite is the rainbow roll."
   2. Favorite pre-match snack – "I love apples and peanut butter with chocolate."
   3. Favorite post-match meal – "We love going to North Shore Poke Co. with my family. Love their bonzi bowls."
8. When you're not playing volleyball, what do you enjoy doing?? Any hobbies or interests???

"I am really into reading and I could go to the beach every day. I'm also really big into snowboarding."

9. In the COVID world, we've all been binge-watching TV shows. What have you been watching during this isolation time?

"Love Friends … The Office … and New Girl."

10. What are some of your plans after OCC?? Perhaps a career beyond the beach courts??

"I'm big into psychology. I would like to go to Long Beach State and become a child psychologist. I recently took a psychology class and really fell in love with it."