Olivia Weiss



Projects by Olivia Weiss

Journalism Story

Exploring Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball: Madi Graves and Lally Coleman Share Team Insights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Exploring Indiana University Women’s Club Volleyball: Madi Graves and Lally Coleman Share Team Insights

Media Contacts
Olivia Weiss
Jordan Shane
Archie Messinger

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (March 28, 2025) — Shining through the suffocating heat of the gym is the sound of volleyballs slapping off hands and the overall intensity that resonates in every corner. The sounds dominate the gym as players like Madi Graves and Lally Coleman move through every serve, their focus unwavering. In front of us, the view isn’t just practice—it’s where camaraderie and competition merge into a powerful force.

There was not a single second where you couldn’t hear a volleyball slap off a hand or hit the floor. Not a single moment when the obnoxious yellow of the gym wasn’t screaming in your eyes. Every serve mattered as Madi and Lally demonstrated leadership skills, setting an example for the less experienced players.

The Women’s Club Volleyball team at IU offers a unique balance of competition and social connection. It allows students to compete while maintaining a flexible schedule. The team is perfect for students looking for a rewarding university experience since it lets members create close bonds with only two weekly practices and three tournaments each semester.

That does not mean these athletes aren’t on their A game, however.

Madi Graves, a sophomore at IU, has loved the game since middle school. She grew up in a volleyball family and brings her passion, expertise, and leadership to the court.

Madi Graves, one of the most experienced players, brings a wealth of knowledge to the court.

Madi’s parents played volleyball in high school, and her brothers play at the University of Pepperdine in Malibu. Her journey began in 7th grade when she played recreationally and gradually began toward competitive play in high school and club volleyball. “Volleyball just means a lot to my family; it always has.” She stated.

The practice felt like it ended as quickly as it sprung. The team only had two huddles and spent the whole time running through their maneuvers. Madi’s background in the sport, combined with the unique flexibility of the club team, makes it the perfect fit for her. “If it’s something you want to be a part of, it’s not something that requires complete dedication.” Madi notes. “It’s very lowkey.”

The key to the team’s success is the structure of the association. “When I decided to come to a big school and not pursue a Divison 1 career in athletics I wanted to just maybe tryout for the club volleyball team and just meet a couple new people…” Madi explains. “The number one benefit for me has been the people I’ve met. I met three of my closest friends through this team.”

While Mally’s journey was a smooth offshoot from her history in the sport, Lally Coleman found her own path through unexpected plans.

Lally Coleman, sophomore on the team, unexpectedly tried out for the team. Though she hadn’t played in a year, Lally’s experience with the team came as product of the team’s welcoming environment, where athletic and friendship development come together.

For Lally Coleman, a sophomore from Chicago, honing her volleyball skills has meant less to her than building the friendships that she has with the team. Initially, Lally was not too interested in trying out. “I was convinced to go try out just a couple of hours before I actually went to the gym, and I hadn’t touched a volleyball in a year,” she smiles. “I thought it would be a fun night of just getting some reps in after not playing for a while, but I ended up making the team—and I’m so grateful for all of the friendships that I made in the past two years.”

The friendships she’s formed have been the highlight of her experience. “It’s been such a great vibe.”

“I think Indiana has put in a great system to support the club teams,” Lally says. “I think we’re in the top 5 of all the club teams, so we get to pick a good early gym time and we get a decent budget.”

Outside of practice, the team hosts events like hotroom yoga and food pantry service, raising awareness for IU’s club sports.

Lally is grateful for the tools and assistance IU offers its club teams. “We compete for allocation points every semester.” The club also takes part in other service activities that promote support and fundraising for its initiatives.

The team is now preparing for the ultimate challenge: nationals in Phoenix, which explains the quick and intense practice session. “I’m so excited to compete at nationals with the team. We’re traveling with the men’s team, too, and we’re hoping to get some wins this year,” says Lally. Though the team didn’t travel to nationals last year, they are ready to face tougher competition and build on their momentum.

For Madi and Lally, the Women’s Club Volleyball team has been more than just an athletic outlet. It is an avenue for one’s passion to be shared amongst friends. As Madi reflects, “Such a unique opportunity that I wouldn’t have a chance to have if I didn’t try out that one day.”

Madi and Lally talk in depth about their experience on the Women’s Club Volleyball Team.

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Public Relations Story

Apple CEO Tim Cook Reveals Apple’s Newest Product the Apple Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Edward Lewis
Chloe LaVelle
Olivia Weiss

CUPERTINO, California (September 9, 2014)—Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the creation of the Apple Watch on Tuesday, September 9th, in Cupertino, California, where its digital crown’s abilities take the main stage.

Tim Cook’s confidence on stage is perceived positively by the audience as he receives applause through the announcement of the Apple Watch. Cook targets not only the functionality of the watch, but the sleek look it provides on a person’s wrist. Prior to Kevin Lynch’s introduction, Cook finished off by explaining how no detail was missed with this watch, there is fluid movement and access throughout the use of the watch. Vice President, Kevin Lynch, who is also wearing an Apple Watch like Tim Cook, is able to provide a detailed run-through of how the watch works. This announcement of the Apple Watch provides abundant information about its abilities and what makes this form of technology incredible.

The digital crown takes the prize for being the best functionality of the Apple watch. The crown is essential to the usage of the watch and movement. The digital crown includes infrared LEDs and photo dials. When you turn the dial of the digital crown, it zooms in and out of the screen, this way the screen is not blocked by the user’s fingers. The crown allows fluidity of getting in and out of apples, it enables precise adjustment, and pressing down on the crown returns you to the home screen.

An Apple Watch user scrolls through their texts using the digital crown.
Deshna Venkatachalam scrolls through her text messages on her Apple Watch using the digital crown. Apple created the digital crown to give the users of the Apple Watch a better overall experience than a touch screen.

The Apple Watch is said to be incredibly customizable, with it having the ability to reflect the user’s personal style. It has the ability to not only connect directly with the wearer but to other Apple Watch users as well. This happens from the communication aspect of the watch, with the digital touch aspect that provides an entirely new way to connect intimately with others. Kevin Lynch, the design chief, discusses different ways to interact. Examples of this can be, sending a quick sketch or sharing your own heartbeat. You can also get someone’s attention with a gentle tap, where he shows sending three taps to his friend, to go to lunch together.

The watch holds very personal technology, allowing users to add their style and taste to their watch. The watch faces can be customized just how the user would like. The appearance of the faces can be changed through different colors and functionality. One example of functionality, which Kevin Lynch explained to be his favorite, was the astronomy watch face. The astronomy watch face allows the user to look at the Earth, the phases of the moon, and even the entire solar system.

An Apple Watch user checks the time during her work shift.
Shannon checks the time on her Apple Watch using the extremely accurate time function during her shift at the Indiana Memorial Union. The time function on the Apple Watch is stated to be accurate by 50 milliseconds.

The display also has the ability to sense touch and force. Its navigation is fluid and allows very lightweight interaction from the user. There is access to a wide range of specific controls, one being built in Siri. The access to Siri allows access to whatever question you need answered with the simple touch of a button, like asking, what movies are playing near me? The user also has simple access to notifications, with a subtle buzz on the wrist and a simple raise of the wrist, the notification will come in. The notifications then come with quick replies, which are picked out for the best response, easy to tap on and send back. The display also provides the ability to see any collection of photos the user wants, like the favorites collection. Lastly, the display provides a fascinating interaction with directions. The watch provides feelings on the wrist that can tell the user which direction they need to go without having to look at the map.

Kevin Lynch finished his description of the watch, “We have been working with third-party developers to extend their apps onto the Apple Watch” he stated. He explains how connecting to other applications is what will take this app to the next level. The watch holds the app titled, “the watch kit,” which enables developers to create actionable notifications with those buttons.

Lynch provides many examples of this; American Airlines allows you can check into you’re flight with the touch of a button and Starwood Hotels lets you check into your hotel and unlock your hotel room with one wave from your watch.

Tim Cook finished off the announcement of the Apple Watch with his favorite feature, “Apple builds great products that enrich people’s lives, and arguably we can take that to a whole new level with the Apple Watch” he states. This leads to the health and fitness feature of the watch, which gives the user the ability to motivate people to be more active and healthy. There are two new applications to this, the fitness app, which monitors all fitness and activity, and the workout app, which allows you to set specific goals for specific workouts. The custom sensor can sense the user’s heart rate, and the tracker allows the user to see how far they have moved. These three aspects of movement are provided to push users to sit less and move more, along with delivering intelligent reminders to keep the user on track.

Apple is prepared to release the Apple Watch by early next year, 2015. The starting price of the watch is going to be $349. Apple is very confident in this product and believes that society is going to be very satisfied with it, “Apple watch is the most personal device Apple has ever created” Cook says. Apple believes that this watch is incredibly functional and also beautifully aesthetic, with the ability to empower its users.

Tim Cook introduces the Apple Watch by going through the top features. Cook explained the new digital crown and all of its capabilities.

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