A typical day for Addison Haluska during volleyball season is very routine-oriented. She starts the morning with practice and weights, has classes in the afternoon and finishes the day catching up on any homework she has.
During the season the players take some of their easier classes to take a load off, Haluska shared.
While growing up in Gilbert, Arizona, playing volleyball wasn’t something Haluska envisioned during the early years of her life.
She didn’t play competitively until junior high, after her friends convinced her she should play due to her height.
“It honestly started off all for fun and then I got really into it,” Haluska told The Collegian.
In just her collegiate sophomore year, she is in the midst of a breakout season for Fresno State’s volleyball team. As of Oct. 27, she leads the ‘Dogs with 296 kills and 363.5 points.
Amongst her teammates and coaches, Haluska is known for her vibrant personality and for keeping the vibes up in the locker room.
“She’s very big into TikTok and [is] constantly coming up with dances,” said first-year Head Coach Leisa Rosen. “She is one of the most social people I’ve ever met; her engine runs very high when she’s in social situations.”
Haluska and Jenna Legault both came to Fresno State last year. Legault has also noticed the outgoing personality of Haluska.
“She has a natural sociability, is really lighthearted and she’s really fun to play with because of that,” said Legault.
This season, the team has started the tradition of throwing a dance party before every game to lighten the mood.
“I think that helps everyone get ready and get spirits high before the game,” Haluska said.
One of the reasons why Haluska decided to play at Fresno State was because of the community and the promising trajectory of the volleyball program.
“I really liked the atmosphere and people; everyone was really supportive from the get-go,” Haluska said. “It was a really good program, and I saw the potential it had and the potential I could have.”
After a difficult season for the team last year, where they had a 1-17 record in the Mountain West and finished last place, they have had a bounce-back season and are 7-5 in conference play. Part of the reason for the resurgence is how the team handles adversity and sticks together.
“The biggest thing [for dealing with adversity on and off the court] is relying on your teammates; we’re all going through the same thing,” Haluska said. “I think our team is so close this year. If there’s anything going on, we’re always there for each other.”
Much like the team, Haluska also had to overcome struggles after the last season. While Rosen was hired as the new head coach, Haluska was working her way back from an injury that she suffered last season.
Rosen praised Haluska for how much hard work she put in during the spring to get ready for the season.
“She participated as much as she could on ball control and serving, so just watching that was really exciting,” Rosen said.
Once Haluska was cleared for more physical activities like jumping, Rosen knew she had an exceptional athlete on the team.
“We realized what kind of athlete she was and that was very exciting for us because I think she’s a very dynamic athlete,” Rosen said.
Legault also had high praise for Haluska’s strong season and impressive display of athleticism.
“I think her overall game has just gotten way better and more mature,” Legault said. “She gets out there and jumps really high.”
Finding a balance between being a student and an athlete has never been an issue for Haluska, who has been an effective time manager for most of her life.
“I’ve gotten pretty good at finding time for friends and then also doing homework,” she said.
In the long term, Haluska hopes to become a nurse. She is currently majoring in kinesiology and will attend nursing school once she graduates. Haluska became interested in nursing because of her sister and took several classes in high school to prepare.
“Since she’s been working in the field, I hear all these stories, and I realized that’s what I want to do as well,” Haluska said.
As for her short-term goals, Haluska hopes for the team to make it to the Mountain West Championships, where the top six teams will compete. The ‘Dogs are in fourth place as of Oct. 27.
“I think we’re really capable of doing that and I think we have a really good chance of winning as well,” Haluska said.
Her personal goals are that she hopes to improve after every game, such as reaching a certain number of kills and maintaining a solid hitting percentage.
“I’m never settling and I always want to raise the bar,” Haluska said.
Whether it be through off-court fun such as making videos, dancing and cracking jokes to teammates, or on-court highlight reel kills, Haluska is making an impact for the resurgent Bulldogs.
