Xavier University Athletics

Xavier Nation Magazine Feature: Skin Game - Alexis Newsome
09.11.17 | Athletic Department, Featured
Staying Strong: The middle blocker shares the story behind her two tattoos
CINCINNATI - The latest edition of Xavier Nation Magazine explored the inspiration behind the tattoos of eight Xavier student-athletes.Â
These student-athletes have chosen to mark themselves with reminders, tributes and inspirations. We get the stories behind their ink.
(GoXavier.com will share the stories of each student-athlete over the next two weeks)
Â
Sport: Volleyball
Hometown: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Number of tattoos:Â 2
Â
The demons of depression swirled around Newsome the summer before her senior year of high school and became so oppressive that she wanted out of this life. She was home alone when she noticed a bottle of Ibuprofen. Newsome knocked back 40 tablets, closed her eyes and waited for the overdose to end her struggles in a final restful sleep. Call it divine intervention or amazingly good luck. Less than five minutes after Newsome fell asleep, a friend's parents stopped by the house and jarred her awake. Looking back now, Newsome can't believe she tried to end her life.
"I think why I did it was pretty stupid and selfish," says the 6-foot-1 middle blocker on Xavier's volleyball team. "Obviously, I'm a completely different person now. I have a ton more confidence in myself. I feel a lot happier and I'm in a much better place."
Newsome regards her first tattoo (which says "malosi," Samoan for strong) as a reminder of the hardships she endured and her resilience. She recently added a second tattoo, a triangle on her right wrist that means faith, self-expression and enthusiasm. And she has already chosen her next tattoo: Alofa, the Samoan word for love.

These student-athletes have chosen to mark themselves with reminders, tributes and inspirations. We get the stories behind their ink.
(GoXavier.com will share the stories of each student-athlete over the next two weeks)
Â
![]() |
 ALEXIS NEWSOME |

Hometown: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Number of tattoos:Â 2
Â
![]() |
 STAYING STRONG |
The demons of depression swirled around Newsome the summer before her senior year of high school and became so oppressive that she wanted out of this life. She was home alone when she noticed a bottle of Ibuprofen. Newsome knocked back 40 tablets, closed her eyes and waited for the overdose to end her struggles in a final restful sleep. Call it divine intervention or amazingly good luck. Less than five minutes after Newsome fell asleep, a friend's parents stopped by the house and jarred her awake. Looking back now, Newsome can't believe she tried to end her life.
"I think why I did it was pretty stupid and selfish," says the 6-foot-1 middle blocker on Xavier's volleyball team. "Obviously, I'm a completely different person now. I have a ton more confidence in myself. I feel a lot happier and I'm in a much better place."
Newsome regards her first tattoo (which says "malosi," Samoan for strong) as a reminder of the hardships she endured and her resilience. She recently added a second tattoo, a triangle on her right wrist that means faith, self-expression and enthusiasm. And she has already chosen her next tattoo: Alofa, the Samoan word for love.

HIGHLIGHTS | Volleyball vs. Providence
Saturday, October 11
HIGHLIGHTS | Volleyball vs UConn
Saturday, October 11
HIGHLIGHTS | No. 22 Women's Soccer vs. Butler
Sunday, October 05
HIGHLIGHTS | Men's Soccer at Marquette
Saturday, October 04