Senior Joseph Landy has been a multisport athlete throughout his life. However, he has remained committed to his volleyball expertise and overall athleticism throughout the years. Landy is the soon-to-be captain of Pace’s boys’ volleyball team and is one of the star athletes for NYC Impact’s 18 Travel team.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Give us a brief summarization of your life as an athlete.

So firstly, I started playing soccer throughout my young ages of seven to 10. I played [soccer] for a couple of years. I was able to play club and travel around a couple of states because of it. I then started playing flag football for my middle school. Lastly, I pursued volleyball in high school.

What exactly is NYC Impact and what opportunities have you experienced or been provided with?

NYC Impact is an urban club for volleyball players. It’s just a volleyball organization. The opportunities I have experienced were being able to travel around states, being able to go far away from home, and playing overnight tournaments. During the overnight tournaments, I’m able to talk to my teammates, talk to other clubs and coaches. It provides me with a bunch of volleyball practice. And, most of my coaches give me feedback on how I should play. That way, I’m able to develop into a better player.

Why did you decide to join NYC Impact’s Boys’ Club instead of having a singular team commitment?

I decided to join an NYC impact because I wanted to just be more developed and define my skills in volleyball.

How would you compare the team experience in club vs school?

It’s different. The opportunities provided are definitely different. I’m able to go to overnight tournaments with my teammates and have deep conversations with them. It lets us grow as a team rather than individually, but compared to school, we practice, but we don’t have overnight tournaments or general big opportunities as if you were to be in the club.

How would you describe your athleticism and sense of commitment to volleyball?

So, my commitment to volleyball is 100%. I often practice very late from like 7 p.m to 10 p.m or I wake up early to go to tournaments. I would wake up at 6 a.m. During the summer of 2024, all I did was just play volleyball from 12 p.m. to eight at night. That also includes going to the gym to train my body for the volleyball season.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a student and athlete?

My strengths are planning; planning well. I’m able to do my work, I plan out my week, and I usually plan a month ahead. I know what’s going on in my life. My weakness is definitely overworking. For example, during our recent tournament, I kind of crashed. My legs gave out on me.

How will those experiences impact you during Pace’s volleyball season in the spring?

I think being a captain during Pace’s volleyball season is a new role for me, and I would like to try to become a good captain for this team, you know, just be a good person all around. I want my whole team to trust me and have faith that I will support them. I would like to always try to be a leader in their eyes. NYC Impact taught me how to be a leader and I would try to use my teammates’ experiences and like, you know, use what they taught me and try to teach my own team as a captain.

What is a piece of advice you have for aspiring club and school athletes?

Just don’t overwork yourself. Be very committed to what you do. Be very committed and just grind, you know? I think grinding can be learned in many ways. It just doesn’t have to be the sport you play. It could be how you eat. It could be how you prep. It could just be the way you rest. Always just take care of your body, take breaks when you need to, and don’t mentally drain yourself. Additionally, don’t ever be nervous about it, you know, don’t be nervous. I was nervous at the start and you should never be nervous because if you put in enough work, you always shine.