Sudden cardiac arrest survivor and Penn State women’s volleyball setter Addie Lyon launches campaign to raise awareness
Addie Lyon is embraced by her teammates during Penn State’s match against Kentucky. Photo: Makenna Cameron
Nearly six years to the day of stepping into the Penn State women’s volleyball setter role, graduate student Addie Lyon went into sudden cardiac arrest four times.
One year after the events, she wrote a meaningful message to her Instagram account praising her mom, who saved her life through cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, an emergency procedure done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
In the post, she said she’s “never been better.” That is clear by the support she receives from her family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“To think the day that I went into cardiac arrest 4 times happened 1 year ago today blows my mind,” Lyon wrote. “It feels as though I was just in the hospital with all my friends visiting and not knowing what the future would hold. But I’m here to tell you today I have never been better. Sep 1, 2019 changed my life. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for my incredible mom, who saved me, my dad and sister who stood by me the whole time, my amazing doctors and nurses, my wonderful friends and family who never left me and kept me laughing, and everyone who prayed for me and sent me encouraging messages. I don’t want to think of that day as a sad, scary day but as one that changed my life in ways I can’t even describe. God truly kept me in his hands! beyond blessed to see another year!”
On Saturday, Lyon announced that she’s going to continue to use her visibility as a women’s volleyball player. She joined Huddle for Hearts, a life-saving initiative to help bring awareness to SCA and promote the importance of CPR training.
As a SCA survivor, Lyon marked the start of her campaign in social media posts. Lyon is now set to raise awareness of the importance of CPR training, especially in sports and youth programs.
Lyon, who committed to the Nittany Lions after playing two years at Missouri and then two years at Saint Louis, was quickly promoted to setter after 2024 Big Ten freshman of the year Izzy Starck removed herself from the lineup.
Moments before the September 5 match in Rec Hall against top-ranked Kentucky, Starck made a personal announcement that she wanted to take some time for herself to focus on her mental health.
Penn State’s record is 13-10 this season. They are 7-6 in conference. They have seven Big Ten Conference games remaining this season.
Lyon stepped into her role with enthusiasm. And, her teammates have praised her efforts. Her teammate Maggie Mendelson has praised Lyon throughout the season.
She said Lyon has “done a really good job of leading the way on the blocking aspect when she’s front row and she’s doing a really good job. And, I think it’s just easier for us to run our defense, run our offense, when our setter is as good as Addie is.”
Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley said of Lyon in season, “I think she's a great leader. She's a great setter, she's got really good experience, and you know, we'll continue to grow as a group.”
Thank you for reading Female Athlete News. Lily Dorf is a student-intern at Penn State University.
*FAN, LLC CEO and Founder Jana Benscoter is the athlete coordinator for Huddle for Hearts. Dorf has been following Lyon’s story.