Hammons, 16, is the big-hitting star of Sacred Heart’s volleyball team, which plays Oct. 11 at longtime powerhouse Assumption. (Sacred Heart beat Assumption in early September.) Hammons, who lives in Anchorage, traveled to Peru with the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team over the summer.
Earliest childhood memory?
“Going to Disney World for my seventh birthday.”
How’d you make your first dollar?
“Organizing my mom’s shoe closet.”
The weirdest place somebody has recognized you in public?
“When I was in Peru, all the little girls knew our whole volleyball team and wanted our autographs.”
Most noticeable quirk?
“I chew gum all the time no matter what. I also wear colorful volleyball shoes.”
Most unusual benefit of your job?
“I get out of school at 2:15 on Friday afternoons. We get to play music in the halls on Fridays too.”
Favorite possession?
“My silver medal from the World Championships. I loved representing the U.S.A.”
Your vices?
“My biggest vice is eating candy, but I’m giving it up all season — until my team wins state.”
What Louisville dish have you eaten more than any other?
“The green-chili wontons from the Bristol.”
What should every person try once?
“Riding in a hot-air balloon.”
The first thing on your bucket list?
“To visit Fiji, Maldives or Bora Bora.”
Favorite Derby winner?
“Mine That Bird. Because I won a lot of money.”
Best book you’ve read over the past year?
“Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, by Immaculée Ilibagiza.”
Any superstitions?
“I always wear the same headband when I play volleyball. I will never wash it because I don’t want to wash the luck out of it.”
Favorite movie scene?
“When Noah and Allie reunite in The Notebook.”
If forced to get a tattoo today, what would you get?
“My lucky number: seven. Or I would get the Olympic Rings as a reminder to strive to make it to the Olympics.”
What three people would be on the guest list to your ideal dinner party?
“Duchess Kate Middleton and country stars Jake Owen
and Luke Bryan.”
What do you collect?
“Snow globes. They remind me of the places I’ve been.”
Fill out and answer: Would you rather _______ or _______?
“Would you rather play volleyball or go on a beach vacation? I would rather play volleyball.” (Just a suggestion: Play volleyball on the beach. — Ed.)
What would you do if you won the lottery?
“I would give back to children in need. And then go shopping.”
What makes somebody a Louisvillian?
“Making fun of the way someone says Louisville.”
What would you do if you were on the volleyball court on the other end of a Paige Hammons spike?
“I would duck.”
This article is courtesy of the October 2015 issue of Louisville Magazine. To subscribe to Louisville Magazine, click here.
Illustration by Kendall Regan
