Incoming Junior middle blocker Peyton Grahovac joins the Sun Devils after two seasons at Long Beach State, where she accumulated 321 kills and 85 blocks, competing in 165 sets while making 44 starts. A decorated contributor during her time as a 49er, Grahovac earned Big West All-Freshman honors in 2015 while being named a Big West All-Academic honoree in 2015 and 2016. A native of Orange, California Grahovac graduated from Villa Park High School, where she was a two-time All-CIF selection and two-time Century League MVP while also being named the Orange City News Athlete of the Year in 2014-15. Grahovac is interested in sports psychology and intends on majoring in kinesiology and psychology.
What drew you to Arizona State?
I loved the coaches, campus, school pride, and the city of Tempe!
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and why?
My biological mom, who passed away when I was three years old because everyone tells me I'm exactly like her. We would probably eat dessert before dinner because that was her favorite meal of the day. I choose her because I wish for the opportunity to spend time with her now that I'm older.
If you had the chance to pick the brain of any coach in any sport, who would it be?
John Wooden because I have so much respect for his style of coaching, expectations and goals for his players, and the legacy he left in sports.
If you had the chance to watch one past sporting event, which one would you go to?
Kobe Bryant's final NBA game against the Utah Jazz when he scored 60 points.
What is your hometown and what do you like best about it?
Orange, California. I love Orange County. I grew up only fifteen minutes from the beach, surrounded by all types of foods, and the weather in Southern California is amazing.
Which past Sun Devil (any sport) do you wish you could have watched play?
Reggie Jackson
What is the last book you read?
The Lucky One
What's your favorite song from your favorite artist?
I usually get tired of songs after playing them on repeat over and over. But my all-time favorite song will forever be "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
What is a movie that you can watch over and over again?
"Stuck in Love"
What is the best advice your parents ever gave you?
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." My mom told me this all growing up, and it has become my life motto.
If you could be on any game show which would you choose?
Deal or No Deal
If you could learn to do anything what would it be?
Reading people's minds
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Outgoing, genuine, resilient
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Cleaning the bathroom
What is your best childhood memory?
Going to Sea World every summer growing up, eating cotton candy at all the shows, and getting my face painted before I sat in the "splash zone" at the Shamu show.
What's your favorite TV show and why?
Gossip Girl because Chuck Bass is the best TV show character ever.
What is your favorite road trip destination?
Coronado Beach in San Diego, California, only about an hour and a half away from home in Orange County. I love going with family and friends because it is so beautiful and I love visiting the haunted hotel called Del Coronado. We always make sure to stop by Brigantine's Restaurant that has the best fish tacos!
What is one place you really want to visit?
I can't pick just one!!! I have a full bucket list of places in Europe, specifically the Netherlands because I am primarily Dutch, but I also would love to go to Australia!
If someone wrote a book about your life what would they title it?
"The Life of a 6 foot 2 Starbucks-Addicted Shopaholic"
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
I would love to meet and become best friends with Shay Mitchell, the actress, model, entrepreneur, and author.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I am a major shopaholic.
Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry. Please don't make me pick one.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the sport of volleyball?
Karsta Lowe
What is your favorite volleyball related memory?
High school- Senior year leading my high school team the furthest in CIF they have ever been, beating Chino Hills High School in the Semi-finals at home with a full crowd.
College- During my sophomore year at CSULB, we beat University of Hawaii at home in front of a sold out crowd in 5 games.
What is the hardest thing about volleyball?
The team aspect because you can have the six best individual players on a team, but if they don't play well together and have good chemistry then the team will not be successful.
Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
I hope to improve in all aspects of the game, and form solid relationships with my coaches and teammates.
What drew you to Arizona State?
I loved the coaches, campus, school pride, and the city of Tempe!
If you could have dinner with anyone from any era, who would it be and why?
My biological mom, who passed away when I was three years old because everyone tells me I'm exactly like her. We would probably eat dessert before dinner because that was her favorite meal of the day. I choose her because I wish for the opportunity to spend time with her now that I'm older.
If you had the chance to pick the brain of any coach in any sport, who would it be?
John Wooden because I have so much respect for his style of coaching, expectations and goals for his players, and the legacy he left in sports.
If you had the chance to watch one past sporting event, which one would you go to?
Kobe Bryant's final NBA game against the Utah Jazz when he scored 60 points.
What is your hometown and what do you like best about it?
Orange, California. I love Orange County. I grew up only fifteen minutes from the beach, surrounded by all types of foods, and the weather in Southern California is amazing.
Which past Sun Devil (any sport) do you wish you could have watched play?
Reggie Jackson
What is the last book you read?
The Lucky One
What's your favorite song from your favorite artist?
I usually get tired of songs after playing them on repeat over and over. But my all-time favorite song will forever be "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
What is a movie that you can watch over and over again?
"Stuck in Love"
What is the best advice your parents ever gave you?
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." My mom told me this all growing up, and it has become my life motto.
If you could be on any game show which would you choose?
Deal or No Deal
If you could learn to do anything what would it be?
Reading people's minds
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Outgoing, genuine, resilient
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Cleaning the bathroom
What is your best childhood memory?
Going to Sea World every summer growing up, eating cotton candy at all the shows, and getting my face painted before I sat in the "splash zone" at the Shamu show.
What's your favorite TV show and why?
Gossip Girl because Chuck Bass is the best TV show character ever.
What is your favorite road trip destination?
Coronado Beach in San Diego, California, only about an hour and a half away from home in Orange County. I love going with family and friends because it is so beautiful and I love visiting the haunted hotel called Del Coronado. We always make sure to stop by Brigantine's Restaurant that has the best fish tacos!
What is one place you really want to visit?
I can't pick just one!!! I have a full bucket list of places in Europe, specifically the Netherlands because I am primarily Dutch, but I also would love to go to Australia!
If someone wrote a book about your life what would they title it?
"The Life of a 6 foot 2 Starbucks-Addicted Shopaholic"
If you could meet anyone, past or present, who would it be?
I would love to meet and become best friends with Shay Mitchell, the actress, model, entrepreneur, and author.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I am a major shopaholic.
Who is your favorite athlete of all time?
Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry. Please don't make me pick one.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in the sport of volleyball?
Karsta Lowe
What is your favorite volleyball related memory?
High school- Senior year leading my high school team the furthest in CIF they have ever been, beating Chino Hills High School in the Semi-finals at home with a full crowd.
College- During my sophomore year at CSULB, we beat University of Hawaii at home in front of a sold out crowd in 5 games.
What is the hardest thing about volleyball?
The team aspect because you can have the six best individual players on a team, but if they don't play well together and have good chemistry then the team will not be successful.
Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
I hope to improve in all aspects of the game, and form solid relationships with my coaches and teammates.