Landyn Snowden's journey to Morehead State didn't start on a sun-soaked beach or under stadium lights. It began with a conversation.
Her first phone calls with the coaching staff stood out from every other recruiting conversation she'd had. "I felt so comfortable talking with them and truly felt like they cared about who I was as a person and not just what kind of athlete I was," Snowden said. "That feeling only grew when I came for my first visit and got to meet the team. Everyone was so welcoming and the coaches truly made me feel at home here."
The visit sealed it. The town felt safe, warm, and inviting — a place where she could grow, both on and off the court. And for someone who'd always dreamed of experiencing life outside her home state, it was the perfect fit. "Both of my older brothers went out of state for college and I knew I wanted to do the same so that I could also gain the experience of living in a place different from where I grew up," she said.
Snowden's love for beach volleyball started in Tallahassee, Florida, before the sport truly took off there. "I began playing beach volleyball the summer going into my freshman year of high school, though it was not yet a very popular sport in my area," she said.
That changed when the pandemic hit. People needed a safe way to play, and outdoor courts became the answer. "This led to a lot more clubs opening up in my city, which not only allowed me more opportunities and places to practice, but also expanded the sport as a whole," she said. Around the same time, Florida officially sanctioned beach volleyball as a varsity sport, allowing her to compete for both her high school and a club team.
High school play mirrored the collegiate format, giving her an early taste of what college beach volleyball would be like. "It was truly a blessing to grow up in a city and a state that allowed me to gain experience playing in a structure similar to what I would one day be playing in college," Snowden said.
Success, for Snowden, is rooted in the examples set by her older brothers, Walker and Brantley. "Growing up, I got to witness the goals they set for themselves, the dedication they applied to achieve them, and the relationships they formed with others along the way, and doing so truly shaped how I have walked through my own life," she said. "Getting to watch them succeed throughout their endeavors has inspired me to strive for success in everything I do."
That mindset carries over when she steps onto the sand, especially when the elements come into play. "Wind, most of all, influences things like the side of the court you pick during the coin toss, how you pass, where you hit your shots, the way you set up on defense, etc.," she said. But mentally, she refuses to let conditions dictate her game. "No matter the weather conditions, it is still you and your partner on the court, your team supporting you from the sidelines, and the same goal in mind. Sure, things like wind, sun, and rain can influence your play, but it is important to know that you have the capabilities to play past all of that."
Outside of volleyball, Snowden's passion for helping others runs deep. "Thanks to my parents, I have grown up with many opportunities to be involved with different non-profit organizations, such as Special Olympics Florida and Porch de Salomon, that have shaped my life experiences, who I am, and the work I want to pursue in my future career," she said.
She's channeling that passion into her studies at Morehead State. "I am an Exercise Science major here at Morehead and plan on attending D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) school post-undergrad," she said.
For young girls dreaming of playing Division I beach volleyball one day, Snowden offers simple, practical advice: put yourself out there. "Play in as many tournaments and go to as many college camps as possible. Email every school you are interested in, even if you don't think they'd be interested in you," she said. "The more you get your name out and the more player-coach relationships you make, the better. Most importantly, enjoy it! Being a collegiate athlete is a dream, but the process of obtaining that dream is just as special."
From the first phone call that felt like home to embracing wind, sun, and sand as part of the game, Snowden has found her place at Morehead State — and she's just getting started.
