Boise State beach volleyball player Nora Hayd has pierced more hearts of fans online than holes in her brows and ears.
Photos of the team’s roster have been circulating online, and the internet is absolutely loving Nora’s look. In a sea of blonde and brunette Kayleigh’s, Ashleigh’s, and Brynleigh’s, Nora’s photo showcasing her pink-dyed hair and bold makeup is giving Hot Topic retail worker on their break at a mall’s food court outside Claires.
Originally from Bothell, Washington, Nora played for the DaKine Volleyball Club and was named to the 2020 and 2021 AVCA Phenom List prior to joining Boise State for the 2023-24 season.
Hayd has quickly become an internet sensation, with many calling her their favorite “goth athlete,” or “gothlete” for short.
Her look translates to her game. Boise State’s Head Beach Volleyball Coach Allison Voigt notes that the “physicality” Nora brings to the court mirrors her bold makeup and hair color.
Teammates agree. “She’s a beast on the court,” former roommate and current teammate Summer McCann told Complex in a video call.
With all the buzz around her, Complex wanted to know what was up. So, we caught up with Nora and her coach Allison to hear more about Nora’s reaction to going viral, the increased visibility to the team, and her dream NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Complex: When did you start leaning into this look?
Nora Hayd: It was mostly my senior year of high school. It was like a ritual before school to get ready. It was a meditative time for myself, and also just a creative outlet. A good way to start the day.
Complex: When did you start playing volleyball? Did you know that you wanted to play at a higher level?
Nora: I played indoor volleyball for 10 years, and I’ve always wanted to play at the college level. That was the goal from the beginning. And then I kind of just fell in love with beach [volleyball] my junior year of high school and fully switched over.
Complex: Is there a reason why you chose Boise State?
Nora: Just the people and the culture here. It’s so positive and there’s been so much growth that has already happened in the program, and I just see it continuing to grow and get better.
Boise State Athletics
Complex: A lot of people online have been calling your look “goth.” Is that accurate? How would you describe your look?
Nora: I guess it’s sometimes accurate. I think there’s a lot of labels you can put on it but I don’t specifically call it that. It’s just Nora’s signature look.
Complex: Is it something that you do every day?
Nora: It’s mostly on weekends now because I’m busy with school and practice.
Complex: How do you integrate this persona into your game and translate it on the court?
Nora: I stand out appearance-wise; my hair is always a crazy color and I’m 6’2. I also feel like there’s a certain intensity that I bring on the court.
Allison Voigt: When we were recruiting [Nora], something that really stood out to us was the physicality that she brings just to the sport, but also her confidence and how she wants to keep improving. With her creativeness with her makeup and hair and the confidence that she brings on the court, it for sure translates in her game in those specific areas.
Complex: As a follow-up question to you, Allison, how does that recruiting mentality align with your coaching philosophy of developing your players both as people and as athletes?
Allison: We of course want to look for a really good beach volleyball player, but what we want to bring to our program is people that want to grow.
The biggest thing that I always say to our girls when we bring them on campus for freshman year is “I want to make sure when you are here for four years, you leave it better than you found it.” We really strive to make sure our girls are growing throughout their four years, not only in the beach volleyball game, but as people too.
Complex: To that point, Nora, how would you describe the culture of the team?
Nora: I think we’re just always looking to better our connections within the team. Our culture is intensely positive.
Complex: How has the reception been of your teammates to your individuality?
Nora: They’ve always been super supportive. They’ve never treated me any differently, and they go out of their way to reach out to me a lot. When I went viral, almost every single one of them reached out to ask me if I was okay which was amazing.
Allison: And I know a lot of them ask for makeup tips, for sure.
Complex: [laughs] Nora, although you’ve been doing this look for a while, you’ve only recently been blowing up online. What was your initial reaction to going viral?
Nora: I was shocked because it happened so fast, it’s literally only been a week. It’s such a weird feeling to be seen all of a sudden by so many people, but I’m trying to use it as an advantage and hopefully get some NIL deals out of it for myself and my team.
Allison: I also think this moment has given us the visibility of telling Boise State’s story but also visibility to beach volleyball as a whole.
Complex: When we posted you on Instagram, a lot of people were commenting that Hot Topic better give you an NIL deal. Do you have any dream brands that you’re looking to partner with?
Nora: Hot Topic is happening, and I’m super excited about that.
I also think working with Manic Panic would be unreal. That’s what I’ve been using on my hair for a long time.
Complex: What message do you have for younger athletes who want to balance their individuality and express that with their sport?
Nora: That’s a good question. For me, it was almost more painful to close off myself and pretend to be someone who I’m not. Even though it definitely was really uncomfortable for a long time, I don’t regret anything. Be yourself.
Complex: Do you have any goals for the season?
Nora: Win conference [and get a bid to the NCAA tournament]. That’s been the goal since day one. Everyone is working really hard, we’ve gotten really close before, and we’re trying to get over that hump.
Complex: Well we’re all gonna continue to follow your journey and hopefully, come spring we’ll be able to see you and your team in the tournament.
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