WEST LAFAYATTE - With the season well underway, it is time to get to know your 2018 student-athletes. Today, we learn all about freshman Garrett Joiner.
A native of Brentwood, Tennessee, Joiner is an outside hitter for the No. 12 Purdue volleyball team. Playing in four matches for the Boilermakers this season, the freshman has been an effective addition on and off the court. Currently an exploratory studies student, she has interests in majoring in elementary education and psychology.
At what age did you start playing volleyball?
GJ: I started playing volleyball when I was in third grade, I think. I would always watch my sister and cousin, they played together on the same team. I would go to all their tournaments and I was just like "I want to play." I'd always be playing on the sidelines when they'd be playing in their games, so I just wanted to start playing after watching them.
Who would you say is your biggest supporter when it comes to volleyball and all that you want to do in life?
GJ: My biggest supporter in volleyball and just in life are my parents and my grandparents. I think that they want to see me succeed in life however I can, and they love me so much, their support is unending and they are always there for me.
Tell us about your family.
GJ: I'm the baby of my family. I have an older brother and an older sister. My older brother went to Marquette University and played golf there, while my sister went to the University of Alabama. Both my parents went to Alabama. I love being the baby of my family. I think it's annoying for my older brother and older sister, because I get all the perks and I get things before they did at that same age. I love that.
What makes the Joiner Family so close knit?
GJ: I think what makes my family unique and so close, is that we all live in Brentwood. Most of my family, except an aunt on my dad's side, really. We all live in the same city, so that helps a lot. We have a lot of family dinners and go to my grandparents' house and every holiday we usually all spend together, so that's kind of what makes us a truly close knit family. That's what I love about being so close to all of them.
Since you guys are so close, do you have any family traditions? Or is there any one memory that you really treasure?
GJ: I think we don't really have any major traditions, but every holiday we get together and have family dinners. On Christmas, one thing we like to do is 'Dirty Santa' and I love that because it's always really fun. People bring good gifts or bad gifts and if you get the bad gifts then it's just funny. It's usually my grandparents bringing some gifts that they found in their basement or something. It's random, but I love it.
How does 'Dirty Santa' work?
GJ: Everyone person brings a gift, so it could be each person in the family or each family. You wrap them all and you put them in the center. Then you draw a number and the person who is number one will pick a gift first then the next person who goes can steal it from you or they can pick a new gift. And a gift can be stolen up to two times. After it's been stolen twice, you get to keep it. People are always stealing the better gifts and if you get a gift that stinks at first, you just have to keep it because no one else wants it. So it's kind of just the luck of the draw.
What was the last gift you won?
GJ: Probably a gift card, but certain things I remember, one year my grandparents put this giant calculator – it was like the size of a regular sheet of paper – and it was a normal calculator and someone got it and was like 'what is this'?
What is one of your favorite family memories?
GJ: One of my favorite family memories is probably on Spring Break a few years ago. My parents, brother and I all went to the Grand Canyon. We went to Vegas for like two days, but then the Grand Canyon. We got to fly in a helicopter over it, so that was one of the hands down coolest things I've ever done. I would love to go back, hike the Grand Canyon and actually go down and spend the night in it.
Would you say that you're into nature and outdoors activities?
GJ: I like the outdoors, but it depends on the bugs because I'm not a big bugs fan. But, I think I like to go hiking in general, especially in Tennessee, we have pretty trails and parks that you can go to.
What is one thing that your family has taught you?
GJ: I think my family has done – especially my mom and dad – a really great job in teaching me how to be independent. I felt very prepared coming to college. They didn't really ever baby me, so I think that was kind of an important thing. They loved me and supported me in every way, but they wanted me to be able to succeed on my own. It's something I'm really thankful they did, to help make me more independent.
So we know you have a big family and you all live relatively close, but who would you say you're the closest to?
GJ: I think I'm the closest to my parents, but also my grandmother – I call her Kaykay – her real name is Kay. But she's like my best friend and she'll text me even more than my parents do. She always knows how to put me in a better mood and her texts always make my day. My grandparents live like three minutes away from me, so I would always go to their house, talk to them or eat dinner with them, and it would always just make me a lot happier. I just love how supportive they are and loving.
If you could describe your grandmother in one word, what would it be and why?
GJ: If I had to pick one word to describe my grandmother that would be hard because there are thousands of words to describe her, I think one of the main ones is compassionate. She literally loves everyone around her. I don't think she has a hateful bone in her body and she's so positive about everything. That's inspiring to me. I think I need someone like that in my life to keep me balanced and happy and enjoy the little things.
If you could tell your grandma one thing right now, what would it be?
GJ: If I could tell my grandmother something right now, I would tell her that I love her and miss her a ton and I wish I could give her a really big hug.
If you were going to ask your grandma to describe you as a person, what do you think she would say?
GJ: I think she would say that I am loving and caring and respect those that I love.
Is there one thing that she's always telling you?
GJ: She's always giving me updates on her life, wanting updates on mine and always makes sure to just say, "I love you and I want to hear from you." Keep in my mind that I need just need to keep touch with people, with so many distractions going on, it's important to just talk to my family and let them know how I'm doing. And that I'm safe and happy and all that.
Outside of volleyball and your family, you have a strong passion for interior design. What do you love about it?
GJ: I'd say I have a passion for interior design. I would watch HGTV all the time, throughout all of high school, whenever I had downtime, I'd just turn it on. Watching Chip and Joanna Gaines. I literally loved them. Also my freshman year, we moved into a new house and so my mom would ask me to help her with stuff like new designs or pillows or colors and stuff so that … I loved helping her with that too. So I kind of found that I just loved it.
So decorating your room here, what was your vision? Did you have a plan? Kind of just went with the flow?
GJ: I knew I wanted a headboard, so when my mom found these online, I was just so excited, it was pretty much exactly what I was looking for. They were also inexpensive so that was nice too. But I knew I liked light colors, like basic, the light pinks, greys and whites. All that good stuff. I like the lighter tones, more like neutral and wood.
You mention headboards, how did your dad alter these to make them fit?
GJ: These headboards came from a girl at another school, so I think at their dorm, you could attached these to the beds, but my dad was able to build it and attach it to longer sticks so you could just slide on the bed frame and it would be supported.
You kind of touched on it with the colors that you like, but how would you describe your style?
GJ: When it comes to interior design and houses, I think my style is more earthy, woods and light tones. I really like white cabinets and light wood floors and distressed look in houses and painted brick.
Does the creativity flow into other aspects of your life?
GJ: With my clothes yes … I like more neutral color for clothes but I also like to spice it up and add some colors in. My grandma always tells me, whenever I wear a color that's just like boring or brown or something – she's just like "You need to wear colors to bring out your eyes or something."
Do you do anything to cultivate that passion?
GJ: I took art classes in high school. For one project we had to draw an interior room and I really enjoyed doing that. I think later in life I would like to have that as a side job or a hobby and be able to help my friends and myself with that.
If you could design a home or space who would it be with and why?
GJ: If I could help anyone design a certain house or space, I think I would help Chip and Joanna Gaines. Even though they don't need my help, I would love to work with them and see their tips that they could give me because their houses are beautiful.
What tips would you give someone that's into interior design?
GJ: Tips I would give someone when it comes to interior design would be probably to stick to more of the basics especially when it comes to colors and stuff. I think you can spice it up with paintings, but when it comes to pillows and couches, I think couches should be like plain colors, pillows and blankets can add accents. I'd say keep it basic.
In your life right now, what is the most important thing to you?
GJ: I think the most important thing in my life right now is balance. Having time for volleyball, school and friends, while talking to my family. Trying to figure all of that out and all the time each one requires. I'm doing better now, it was hard at first. It's starting to get better.
What advice would you give to someone trying to balance it all?
GJ: The best advice I could give to someone trying to balance it all out is to plan it out. I write in my planner a lot, so I can plan out my week and know what's due and when I need to do this and when I need to do that and what I need to remember. Having something to write on or even plug it into your phone, it really helps me.
Right now, what do you want to develop personally? What's your own personal goal?
GJ: One personal goal I have for myself is getting out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there. Be more outgoing and meeting more people outside of just volleyball. Making new friends.
Tell us about your hometown of Brentwood, Tennessee.
GJ: So I've lived in Brentwood my whole life. It's about 11 miles south of Nashville. My friends and I would go shop downtown, go out to eat down there or go hangout and there's just always a concert to go to or new place to go eat dinner or a new place to go do something. I just love Nashville and I just think in the future I will probably move back there just because my whole family lives there. Its home to me and I can't really imagine living anywhere else.
How do you think growing up in Nashville shaped you?
GJ: Growing up in Nashville and just the south in general, I love country music and it's made me grow up with manners and learning yes ma'am and yes sir. Holding doors open for people and all that kind of stuff, you grow up with living in the south.
Why did you decide to come to Purdue?
GJ: I chose Purdue because I came here and it was far enough from home but not too far. I love the coaches and the girls I'd be playing with and it was really important that I like both of those things. Also the academics, that was a really big thing for me too. Just saying you graduated from Purdue. I really wanted a good academic school to look good for the future and jobs.
The freshman class is pretty close, talk about your bond as teammates and as friends.
GJ: I don't think I expected us to get along as well as we do, the six of us, but I really do think we all love each other. We all are very different, but I think it works out in a way that we all complement each other. It's worked out really well and I just love all of them.
You got hurt during your senior year in high school, how did that impact your life on and off the court?
GJ: Not being able to play due to my injury senior year was one of the hardest things I've ever been through. I was always the player who never really got injured or had to sit out a match; so watching my senior year go by and not being able to play and watching from the sidelines was really difficult on me physically and emotionally. I knew I couldn't just sit there and sulk. I knew I had to get better and get ready so I could play here … I think another part of that was that my family was so supportive. My grandma would drive me places and drive me to PT when I couldn't drive and take me out to get food after or come and pick me up and kind of just come over and check on me because I was couch ridden. They were just really supportive and loving during that time when it was hard.
Now being back on the court with four more years to play, do you think you'll cherish it a little more?
GJ: Yeah, I think sitting on the sideline and missing those eight months of volleyball, that was really hard and inspired me to play even harder and try to become the athlete I was before and I want to be even better than that. It's all about how hard I work and if I believe in myself, I think I really can do it.
A native of Brentwood, Tennessee, Joiner is an outside hitter for the No. 12 Purdue volleyball team. Playing in four matches for the Boilermakers this season, the freshman has been an effective addition on and off the court. Currently an exploratory studies student, she has interests in majoring in elementary education and psychology.
At what age did you start playing volleyball?
GJ: I started playing volleyball when I was in third grade, I think. I would always watch my sister and cousin, they played together on the same team. I would go to all their tournaments and I was just like "I want to play." I'd always be playing on the sidelines when they'd be playing in their games, so I just wanted to start playing after watching them.
Who would you say is your biggest supporter when it comes to volleyball and all that you want to do in life?
GJ: My biggest supporter in volleyball and just in life are my parents and my grandparents. I think that they want to see me succeed in life however I can, and they love me so much, their support is unending and they are always there for me.
Tell us about your family.
GJ: I'm the baby of my family. I have an older brother and an older sister. My older brother went to Marquette University and played golf there, while my sister went to the University of Alabama. Both my parents went to Alabama. I love being the baby of my family. I think it's annoying for my older brother and older sister, because I get all the perks and I get things before they did at that same age. I love that.
What makes the Joiner Family so close knit?
GJ: I think what makes my family unique and so close, is that we all live in Brentwood. Most of my family, except an aunt on my dad's side, really. We all live in the same city, so that helps a lot. We have a lot of family dinners and go to my grandparents' house and every holiday we usually all spend together, so that's kind of what makes us a truly close knit family. That's what I love about being so close to all of them.
Since you guys are so close, do you have any family traditions? Or is there any one memory that you really treasure?
GJ: I think we don't really have any major traditions, but every holiday we get together and have family dinners. On Christmas, one thing we like to do is 'Dirty Santa' and I love that because it's always really fun. People bring good gifts or bad gifts and if you get the bad gifts then it's just funny. It's usually my grandparents bringing some gifts that they found in their basement or something. It's random, but I love it.
How does 'Dirty Santa' work?
GJ: Everyone person brings a gift, so it could be each person in the family or each family. You wrap them all and you put them in the center. Then you draw a number and the person who is number one will pick a gift first then the next person who goes can steal it from you or they can pick a new gift. And a gift can be stolen up to two times. After it's been stolen twice, you get to keep it. People are always stealing the better gifts and if you get a gift that stinks at first, you just have to keep it because no one else wants it. So it's kind of just the luck of the draw.
What was the last gift you won?
GJ: Probably a gift card, but certain things I remember, one year my grandparents put this giant calculator – it was like the size of a regular sheet of paper – and it was a normal calculator and someone got it and was like 'what is this'?
What is one of your favorite family memories?
GJ: One of my favorite family memories is probably on Spring Break a few years ago. My parents, brother and I all went to the Grand Canyon. We went to Vegas for like two days, but then the Grand Canyon. We got to fly in a helicopter over it, so that was one of the hands down coolest things I've ever done. I would love to go back, hike the Grand Canyon and actually go down and spend the night in it.
Would you say that you're into nature and outdoors activities?
GJ: I like the outdoors, but it depends on the bugs because I'm not a big bugs fan. But, I think I like to go hiking in general, especially in Tennessee, we have pretty trails and parks that you can go to.
What is one thing that your family has taught you?
GJ: I think my family has done – especially my mom and dad – a really great job in teaching me how to be independent. I felt very prepared coming to college. They didn't really ever baby me, so I think that was kind of an important thing. They loved me and supported me in every way, but they wanted me to be able to succeed on my own. It's something I'm really thankful they did, to help make me more independent.
So we know you have a big family and you all live relatively close, but who would you say you're the closest to?
GJ: I think I'm the closest to my parents, but also my grandmother – I call her Kaykay – her real name is Kay. But she's like my best friend and she'll text me even more than my parents do. She always knows how to put me in a better mood and her texts always make my day. My grandparents live like three minutes away from me, so I would always go to their house, talk to them or eat dinner with them, and it would always just make me a lot happier. I just love how supportive they are and loving.
If you could describe your grandmother in one word, what would it be and why?
GJ: If I had to pick one word to describe my grandmother that would be hard because there are thousands of words to describe her, I think one of the main ones is compassionate. She literally loves everyone around her. I don't think she has a hateful bone in her body and she's so positive about everything. That's inspiring to me. I think I need someone like that in my life to keep me balanced and happy and enjoy the little things.
If you could tell your grandma one thing right now, what would it be?
GJ: If I could tell my grandmother something right now, I would tell her that I love her and miss her a ton and I wish I could give her a really big hug.
If you were going to ask your grandma to describe you as a person, what do you think she would say?
GJ: I think she would say that I am loving and caring and respect those that I love.
Is there one thing that she's always telling you?
GJ: She's always giving me updates on her life, wanting updates on mine and always makes sure to just say, "I love you and I want to hear from you." Keep in my mind that I need just need to keep touch with people, with so many distractions going on, it's important to just talk to my family and let them know how I'm doing. And that I'm safe and happy and all that.
Outside of volleyball and your family, you have a strong passion for interior design. What do you love about it?
GJ: I'd say I have a passion for interior design. I would watch HGTV all the time, throughout all of high school, whenever I had downtime, I'd just turn it on. Watching Chip and Joanna Gaines. I literally loved them. Also my freshman year, we moved into a new house and so my mom would ask me to help her with stuff like new designs or pillows or colors and stuff so that … I loved helping her with that too. So I kind of found that I just loved it.
So decorating your room here, what was your vision? Did you have a plan? Kind of just went with the flow?
GJ: I knew I wanted a headboard, so when my mom found these online, I was just so excited, it was pretty much exactly what I was looking for. They were also inexpensive so that was nice too. But I knew I liked light colors, like basic, the light pinks, greys and whites. All that good stuff. I like the lighter tones, more like neutral and wood.
You mention headboards, how did your dad alter these to make them fit?
GJ: These headboards came from a girl at another school, so I think at their dorm, you could attached these to the beds, but my dad was able to build it and attach it to longer sticks so you could just slide on the bed frame and it would be supported.
You kind of touched on it with the colors that you like, but how would you describe your style?
GJ: When it comes to interior design and houses, I think my style is more earthy, woods and light tones. I really like white cabinets and light wood floors and distressed look in houses and painted brick.
Does the creativity flow into other aspects of your life?
GJ: With my clothes yes … I like more neutral color for clothes but I also like to spice it up and add some colors in. My grandma always tells me, whenever I wear a color that's just like boring or brown or something – she's just like "You need to wear colors to bring out your eyes or something."
Do you do anything to cultivate that passion?
GJ: I took art classes in high school. For one project we had to draw an interior room and I really enjoyed doing that. I think later in life I would like to have that as a side job or a hobby and be able to help my friends and myself with that.
If you could design a home or space who would it be with and why?
GJ: If I could help anyone design a certain house or space, I think I would help Chip and Joanna Gaines. Even though they don't need my help, I would love to work with them and see their tips that they could give me because their houses are beautiful.
What tips would you give someone that's into interior design?
GJ: Tips I would give someone when it comes to interior design would be probably to stick to more of the basics especially when it comes to colors and stuff. I think you can spice it up with paintings, but when it comes to pillows and couches, I think couches should be like plain colors, pillows and blankets can add accents. I'd say keep it basic.
In your life right now, what is the most important thing to you?
GJ: I think the most important thing in my life right now is balance. Having time for volleyball, school and friends, while talking to my family. Trying to figure all of that out and all the time each one requires. I'm doing better now, it was hard at first. It's starting to get better.
What advice would you give to someone trying to balance it all?
GJ: The best advice I could give to someone trying to balance it all out is to plan it out. I write in my planner a lot, so I can plan out my week and know what's due and when I need to do this and when I need to do that and what I need to remember. Having something to write on or even plug it into your phone, it really helps me.
Right now, what do you want to develop personally? What's your own personal goal?
GJ: One personal goal I have for myself is getting out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there. Be more outgoing and meeting more people outside of just volleyball. Making new friends.
Tell us about your hometown of Brentwood, Tennessee.
GJ: So I've lived in Brentwood my whole life. It's about 11 miles south of Nashville. My friends and I would go shop downtown, go out to eat down there or go hangout and there's just always a concert to go to or new place to go eat dinner or a new place to go do something. I just love Nashville and I just think in the future I will probably move back there just because my whole family lives there. Its home to me and I can't really imagine living anywhere else.
How do you think growing up in Nashville shaped you?
GJ: Growing up in Nashville and just the south in general, I love country music and it's made me grow up with manners and learning yes ma'am and yes sir. Holding doors open for people and all that kind of stuff, you grow up with living in the south.
Why did you decide to come to Purdue?
GJ: I chose Purdue because I came here and it was far enough from home but not too far. I love the coaches and the girls I'd be playing with and it was really important that I like both of those things. Also the academics, that was a really big thing for me too. Just saying you graduated from Purdue. I really wanted a good academic school to look good for the future and jobs.
The freshman class is pretty close, talk about your bond as teammates and as friends.
GJ: I don't think I expected us to get along as well as we do, the six of us, but I really do think we all love each other. We all are very different, but I think it works out in a way that we all complement each other. It's worked out really well and I just love all of them.
You got hurt during your senior year in high school, how did that impact your life on and off the court?
GJ: Not being able to play due to my injury senior year was one of the hardest things I've ever been through. I was always the player who never really got injured or had to sit out a match; so watching my senior year go by and not being able to play and watching from the sidelines was really difficult on me physically and emotionally. I knew I couldn't just sit there and sulk. I knew I had to get better and get ready so I could play here … I think another part of that was that my family was so supportive. My grandma would drive me places and drive me to PT when I couldn't drive and take me out to get food after or come and pick me up and kind of just come over and check on me because I was couch ridden. They were just really supportive and loving during that time when it was hard.
Now being back on the court with four more years to play, do you think you'll cherish it a little more?
GJ: Yeah, I think sitting on the sideline and missing those eight months of volleyball, that was really hard and inspired me to play even harder and try to become the athlete I was before and I want to be even better than that. It's all about how hard I work and if I believe in myself, I think I really can do it.