Twins often have a bond unrivaled by any other human relationship. After spending nearly every minute together for at least the first 18 years of life, one can understand why.
For twins Lacy Haddock and Lyndie Haddock-Eppich, this bond carried over onto the volleyball court during their time at BYU and led to success for the women’s volleyball team.
“Lacy and Lyndie are just two special individuals,” BYU head coach Heather Olmstead said. “It’s just cool knowing their relationship and their camaraderie on the court with each other. They’re happy with each other’s successes and they lift each other up when they’re down. They just have a special bond that nobody else on the team has.”
Lacy and Lyndie, both seniors, had the unique opportunity to play with each other throughout their entire college careers. Although their playing days at BYU are now over, Lacy, an outside hitter, and Lyndie, a setter, both contributed to the Cougars’ success.
After seeing limited playing time her freshman season, Lyndie became a starter for BYU as a sophomore, playing in all 33 matches that season and averaging 10.26 assists per set. As a junior, Lyndie averaged 10.17 assists per set, and in 2018 she averaged 11.17 assists per set. She finished her senior season sitting in 24th place in the nation in assists per set, according to the NCAA.
Lacy, who also saw limited playing time her freshman season, had the statistically the best season of her college career as a sophomore. During that season Lacy averaged 2.16 kills per set with a 0.23 hitting percentage. As a junior, Lacy played in only 18 of BYU’s 33 matches but averaged 1.23 kills per set on a 0.21 hitting percentage.
Although this season Lacy played in only 25 of the Cougars’ 34 matches, she contributed significantly after filling in for fellow outside hitter McKenna Miller, who suffered a torn ACL in a game against Santa Clara on Nov. 8. Lacy averaged 1.32 kills per set after Miller’s injury on a 0.23 hitting percentage. Lacy had a season-high eight kills and 0.58 hitting percentage performance in a match against San Francisco on Nov. 10, just days after Miller’s injury.
The Haddock twins, who developed a love for volleyball at a young age and grew up playing together, carried their passion for the sport to the collegiate level. Lacy talked about what it was like sharing the court with Lyndie at BYU.
“It’s so fun, I can’t really even imagine myself not playing with Lyndie,” Lacy said. “I don’t think I’d be playing here if I didn’t have a twin sister, honestly. It’s just been fun because, since we’re different positions, she would set to me and I hit off her sets.”
Lyndie said her and Lacy’s relationship influenced their interaction on the court.
“I think that’s why we have good chemistry on the court, just because we’ve been playing together for so many years,” Lyndie said. “It’s just awesome that we’ve been able to play so many years together and then end up at BYU.”
Not everything has come easy for the Haddock twins during their time at BYU. A couple weeks before the 2017 campaign, their dad, Quinn, passed away from pulmonary thromboembolism, an artery blockage in the lungs.
Although it was a hard time for the family, Lacy said her father’s death motivated her.
“I think the motivation of losing my dad has been (big),” Lacy said. “(There’s been) a lot of emotion that I’ve had to control. But (him and my mom) have just been huge to us and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Not only did Lyndie and Lacy help each other out during their careers at BYU, but they have also been big influences for many of their teammates from the time they first joined the program.
BYU outside hitter Danelle Stetler, a fifth-year senior, recalled when she first met the twins before the 2015 season.
“When I first met them I was like ‘oh they’re so intimidating,’ even though I was older,” Stetler said. “But they’re just such athletes and it’s fun to watch the dynamic they have on the court. They just bring a fire that a lot of other girls don’t really (have). They’re so competitive and it really brings up the whole level in the gym.”
BYU defensive specialist Sydnie Martindale, who transferred from Snow College before the 2017 season, said the Haddock twins were vital to the 2018 season’s success.
“They love volleyball and they love competing,” Martindale said. “They are a big part of this team and of why we’re so good. They push each and every one of us during practice and during games. They love the game and they love the team, so they’ve helped us tremendously.”
