Sand Talk with Jordan Loney
March 19, 2014
Throughout the spring, Gamecocksonline.com will catch up with the sand volleyball team for a feature called Sand Talk, giving an inside look at the lives of each player. This week we are featuring Jordan Loney.
Why did you choose South Carolina?
I wanted to play sand after college. RJ (Abella) was my assistant coach at my last college and I knew if he came here it had to be a great school.
What word or phrase best describes this team?
Family. We’re one big happy family who has each other’s backs. Mo always shows it by being an amazing father and husband to his wife and kids while also being a dad figure to us, as well as a great coach.
What does it mean to you to be a part of South Carolina’s first-ever sand team?
To be apart of this team means to be an impact on history. We will forever be a part of the past, present and future now.
When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
I’ve always wanted to play pro sand volleyball since I was 11.
If you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Meatloaf at the Dodie yummmmm!
What are your five favorite movies of all-time ranked 1-5?
1) Emperors New Grove
2) Madagascar 1 and 2
3) Tangled
4) All the Step Up movies
5) Hercules
What are your career goals?
I want to play pro volleyball and have a good job in the public health profession after.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
It’s a mixture of all my family because my cousin, dad, and uncle coached me since I was able to walk. My mom would work on volleyball with me whenever I would ask her no matter the day she’d had or how late it was.
What has been your favorite class so far at South Carolina?
Biology. I’m a total nerd for science classes and love them all.
What is your favorite TV show?
I don’t really watch TV but if I do it’s either Criminal Minds or Pretty Little Liars.
What is your go-to restaurant in Columbia?
Definitely Pawley’s. Best sweet tea, sweet potato fries and burgers. Being from the mid-west means meat and potatoes all the way baby!
If you could have dinner with a famous person past or present, who would that be?
I would want to have dinner with Martin Luther King. He always saw the bigger picture and had so much patience. He knew how to handle life and the obstacles that can come with it.
What is your favorite thing about playing sand volleyball?
It’s my passion. I can have the worse practice of my life and I still can’t wait to get out there and play the next day. I could stay out on the courts all day and be the happiest person ever.
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
For sure Misty May-Treanor. She is about my height and has won the gold more than once. She’s athletic and a hard worker, I love it!
What is your dream vacation?
A dream vacation would be either Australia or Bahamas. Australia because I’ve always just wanted to check it out and Bahamas because I love love love warm tropical weather. Both places look beautiful.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
Our team is pretty funny and everyone has their moments, but I would choose Helen or Bloms.
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
My favorite moment was when my team made it to the sweet 16 at my last college for volleyball.
When did you first start playing sand volleyball/volleyball and what drew you to the game?
I started court in first grade but only started playing sand about seven months ago. Being from Iowa=cornfields no sand haha.
What is one thing you cannot live without?
I can’t live without God or my family. I am nothing without them and would be missing out on amazing people.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to write: poems, stories, doing paintings/drawings. I really enjoy artsy stuff.
