Encore: Suli Davis: From Island Roots to SMU’s Hometown Hero

This is an encore episode of our interview with SMU outside hitter Suli Davis from April 2026. In this episode of Side Out Society, we sit down with one of the most exciting young stars in college volleyball: Suli Davis. Despite growing up in Hawaii, Suli didn’t actually pick up a volleyball until she moved to Dallas six years ago, where her mom (a former player herself) stepped in as her first coach to kickstart a meteoric rise. We dive into what it’s like growing up in a family of pure athletic royalty and how she transitioned from a record-breaking, All-American debut as the 2025 Big 12 Freshman of the Year at BYU to becoming the centerpiece of the SMU Mustangs. Beyond the stats and the "sick" highlights, we get to know the girl behind the Google results. Suli shares her excitement for the upcoming spring games, her thoughts on the Paradise Invitational in the Bahamas, and how she unwinds off the court with her ukulele. This conversation is a deep dive into the hopes and dreams of a player who is just getting started, offering a rare look at her mindset as she balances high-stakes competition with her love for her hometown community. You won’t want to miss learning what the future holds for this hometown phenom. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sideoutsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideoutsociety