TEMPE – Volleyball has been at the forefront for ASU senior outside hitter Tatum Parrott for as long as she can remember.
After three years at Grand Canyon University, where she was a commanding force on the court, Parrott decided to test the transfer portal, eventually choosing to move across the Valley and join Arizona State to continue her volleyball journey for her final season.
“I wanted to see where I could go for my last year of collegiate volleyball, and so I decided to hit the transfer portal and talk to a bunch of different coaches, and decided on ASU,” Parrott said. “I’m really happy I made that decision, just being able to see where my last year could go. I think that’s really what I wanted out of it, playing at the highest level I can.”
It has proven to be a pivotal move. No. 8 Arizona State (20-3, 11-1 Big 12) is off to a dominant start once again this season, staying undefeated at home. The Sun Devils next test comes Thursday night when they take on Arizona (14-9, 8-5 Big 12) at Desert Financial Arena.
Parrott was influenced from a young age to gravitate to the sport, with her mother, Linda, playing as a middle blocker at Grand Canyon. Her older sister, Grace, played at Yavapai College.
Those relationships helped build Parrott into the player she is today.
“I think it’s really nice having parents who played sports,” Parrott said. “Mom, playing volleyball, so she gets it, on my hard days, on my good days, she gets all of it because she went through it the exact same way. So I think that really helps me through, having those conversations with her, and having my sister play volleyball as well.”
In her three seasons at GCU, Parrott became the Lopes Division I-era record holder for kills with 1,233 across her career.
Parrott averaged 4.18 kills per set at GCU, ranking eighth among active Division I players. She was the only Lopes player to be named All-WAC first team in three different seasons.
Parrott represents a powerful force on the outside, joining a high-tempo ASU offense that gives opposing defenses nightmares.
“We brought Tatum over because we knew she could carry a load if necessary,” ASU coach JJ Van Niel said. “We didn’t think she’d have to carry the load that she had to at GCU. We also knew she was a true six row off outside who’s played the game her whole life, and we knew we had to get someone there, and she’s done a nice job.”
Through 23 games this season, Parrott is third on the team in kills with 158 and tied for third in digs with 141. This impact on both ends of the court complements her influence felt across the locker room.
“She’s definitely a very calm piece to our offense, and she brings a calm energy,” senior setter Sydney Henry said. “We have a lot of personalities on the team, so her calm presence is very helpful when times get tense, and we know that she’s been in the game for a while, so it’s easy to trust her.”
S1 | Tatum CRUSHES this one 😤
📺: ESPNU#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/eEfZCet0ot
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) October 30, 2025
Parrott is a quiet leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to an Arizona State team that is hungry, looking to repeat as Big-12 champions and go on another run for a chance at the national title.
“Teams start understanding people for who they are. Her experience is valuable, and people respect her experience and her ability,” Van Niel said. “She’s showing improvements, especially defensively. She’s really up to that level, and I think when you’re doing it on the court, you don’t have to talk because people see it and they’re like she’s getting better. She’s working hard.”
For Parrott, the decision to transfer to ASU seemed like a natural fit as she was raised in the Valley and attended Greenway High School in the north Phoenix area.
Through four years at Greenway, Parrott finished with 1,646 kills and was named Prepvolleyball Top 31 National Sophomore and as a freshman was on the Prepvolleyball watchlist.
She earned numerous honors, including two-time 4A Skyline Region Player of the Year and 4A Skyline Region Offensive Player of the Year.
Learning and growing are a part of the process, and Parrott has stayed eager, looking to improve her game in any way she can.
“I think she’s learning how to play at a little more physical level, really learning how to use hands,” Van Niel said. “She’s really crafty. She has some great shots getting us out of trouble.”
Parrott was one of five transfers for ASU this season and is a part of a group that continues to work hard, displaying a fiery tenacity to get better every day.
“I’ve loved it. Honestly, it’s been a really cool place to be for my last year and I think the people here are amazing,” Parrott said. “They work really hard to make your job easy and make your life easy, and that’s been huge.”
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