Xolani Hodel is an American beach volleyball player and college beach standout at Stanford University. Growing up, she has excelled in every single sport she played, particularly in track and field, being the daughter of two elite college track and field athletes. When she chose to take her talents to the sand, she hit the ground running, winning numerous major showcases as a junior, and being a Two-time USA Beach Volleyball National team athlete (2018-19). She is entering her junior year at Stanford, already earning a first-team All-American award, as well as multiple academic honors. She also played in two AVP main draws this year, highlighting Hermosa Beach Open, taking a 7th with Kim Hildreth.
Tune in, as we chat up preparing to play in Brazil (collegiate world championships), her journey to choosing beach, how NCAA beach volleyball has impacted the beach scene, the message the current and next generation of female beach players is sending to the women before them, thoughts on hands calls, the 16 team, single elimination format for the NCAA playoffs, dominant champions vs healthy competition, playing with the pros, things that indoor player bring to the beach the easiest, and MORE!
Video version on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/I5KdtTH08zU
