Player Q&A: Sydney Ferguson

Sydney Ferguson joined the Wolfpack in the spring of 2020 as a transfer from Penn State. She was ranked the No.44 Senior Ace by PrepVolleyball in 2019 and was a four-time all-conference honoree in high school and has four years of eligiblity beginning in Fall 2020.

Q: What made you pick NC State?
I loved the campus and the energy the girls on the team had. Everyone was really friendly and super fun to be around. While I hadn't played on the court with them yet, I knew they had something special. Being a transfer, I was very specific in what I was looking for in a new school and NC State checked all the boxes for me.

Q: How old where you when you started playing volleyball, and why did you start playing?
I started when I was 13 because I had tried other sports like soccer and dance and I wasn't very good at them (I was horrible at dance!). I was really tall for my age so I decided to try volleyball and I loved it so much. I would play for two hours in my garage before practice and then come home after practice and keep playing, I was obsessed. It was so much fun for me and nice to be around other tall girls since I didn't see a lot of them in school

Q: When did playing in college become a goal for you?
I always wanted to go to college but when I first started playing I didn't really know that playing in college was an option until my mom explained to me that I could go to college and play volleyball, and even get scholarship money for it. Ever since then I took volleyball way more seriously and started paying a lot more attention to college volleyball.

Q: Although your first semester on campus was short, what is your favorite memory in your short time as a part of the Wolfpack?
Our first practice with the new coaching staff! It was really exciting and the energy in the gym was awesome. It was one of those moments that you really play for.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
One of my favorite things to do in my free time is research and read facts about random topics, so I'd say my hidden talent is that I'm good at trivia! I can also hold a conversation in Spanish (but it's a little rocky!)

Q: Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get that nickname?
A lot of people call me Syd, but my dad calls me sissy! I honestly have no idea where it came from, he's been calling me it ever since I can remember!

Q: What is your major and dream career?
I'm majoring in economics and I'd love to be a policy or management analyst. I really love economics because of the critical thinking and analysis skills it requires!

Q: What are some your goals for the 2020 season?
With everything that's going on in the world with COVID-19, I just want our team to make the most out of whatever season we get, and an ACC title is always the goal!

Q: What's something you wish you would have known as a young player or during your recruiting process?
As a young player and during the recruiting process I wish I would've been more open and known it was okay to ask questions! Finding where you are going to spend your next 4 years can seem really daunting at such a young age, I went on my first visit at 15. You have to ask lots of questions and make sure it's the right fit for you!

Q: What's been your favorite at-home activity?
Besides online shopping which I'm doing way too much of, I've really enjoyed DIY-ing old clothes and making fun new at home workouts.

Q: Who or what has been your biggest influence?
My parents! They're so supportive and extremely knowledgeable and they've helped me so much every step of the way during my college experience.

Q: Is there any significance behind your jersey number?
I was just given #20 since it was available, but fun fact this is the first time I've ever played with a number other than #5!

Q: Are there any other athletes in your family?
My sister plays volleyball also at East Carolina University

Q: What do you do outside of volleyball?
I like to online shop (way too much!), craft and do DIYs, read, and hang out with my friends!

Q: What is something about you that would surprise most people? (fun fact)
That I don't and never have played basketball! I've always been the tallest person in all my classes, so most people think I play basketball but I never have!

Rapid Fire
Arena outside of Reynolds Coliseum you are looking forward to play in: Carmicheal arena! (UNC)
Favorite restaurant: Moe's
Big Block or Hard Hit Kill?: Hard hit kill
Who's your silliest/goofiest teammate?: Hannah Reid
Teammate you'd most like to be quarantined with: Makenzie Taylor
Favorite uniform color to wear: Red
Favorite sports team: the Nationals
Favorite TV show: Blacklist
Favorite Pregame Song: Dreams and Nightmares

North Carolina State University Athletics

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