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BATTLE-TESTED: Numerous stars return for No. 7 College Park
NO. 7 -- COLLEGE PARK CAVALIERS
Head Coach: Candace Collins-Gibson
2023: 26-9/Area Finalists
CANDICE COLLINS GIBSON ENTERS HER 20TH SEASON LEADING THE CAVALIERS.
This year will be a monumental one as she sits just 12 wins shy of career coaching victory No. 500 at College Park.
The Cavs are coming off an impressive 26-9 season that saw them reach the Area round. Six starters return off that squad.
The District 13-6A Defensive Player of the Year Morgan Madison (Baylor-commit) is back in the huddle after registering 726 digs a year ago. Caroline Prihoda, who was the District 13-6A co-District Setter of the Year, will play a key role after racking up 658 assists and 300 digs in 2023.
First-team, all-district picks Lacy Tinnell (373 kills, .341 hitting percentage, 74 blocks), Sadie Kendrick (252 kills) and Reese Ellen (176 kills) are also back into the mix.
Keys to success include working hard together and for each other, according to Gibson.
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COACH ON THE COURT: Don't let College Park's Madison's sweet side fool you
College Park’s Morgan Madison has always been in a gym.
Her Mom, Leslie Madison, won two volleyball State Titles at The Woodlands High School in 2013 and 2014. Her Dad, Lonnie Madison, is the head coach for Bridgeland football coming over from College Park, where he was also the head coach.
Leslie played college volleyball at SMU and Lonnie played football at Texas A&M.
She was always destined for athletic greatness, right? It’s in the genes.
Madison has lived up to the hype garnering District 13-5A Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, playing for USA Volleyball and committing to Baylor to play in college.
So, who is the real Mo’ Madison?
…
VYPE: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
MADISON: “I would want to meet Michael Jordan because I want to know what it was like being the best basketball player on the planet? How did he deal with that pressure? I’d also want to see what his favorite memory or game was from his career.”
VYPE: What has been your favorite moment in your impressive volleyball career?
MADISON: “It was actually this club season when my team (Houston Skyline 17 Royal) made history. We won our fourth, straight open qualifier. Being able to accomplish what you have worked for all season, and to do it with your best friends is what makes this game special.”
VYPE: If you could have any unusual pet what would it be?
MADISON: “I’d want to have a baby elephant.”
VYPE: What influence have your parents had in your development, as both a player and a person?
MADISON: “Although some people may think that having two successful coaches as parents would bring a lot of pressure for a kid. I personally see it as a positive thing. I take their advice and guidance and use it as a way to grow. They’ve made me the super-competitive player that I am today, but also the kind of person I strive to be off the court. Having their feedback has shaped me into being even more coachable and the best version of myself.”
VYPE: What made you commit to play for Baylor?
MADISON: “When I visited the campus, I immediately knew it was where I wanted to be. The atmosphere was great, and it was the community vibe I was looking for in my future school. The coaching staff and team seemed to be a family, which is exactly what I wanted to see. Plus, I didn’t want to stray too far from home, so it was the perfect location.”
VYPE: After being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs a year ago, how are you and the team looking to prepare for a playoffs run this Fall?
MADISON: “I think we’re going to start preparing, not only by practice, but also with our overall schedule for the year. We will be on the road a lot, playing in some really good tournaments with equally great teams. Many of our pickup matches are going to be against harder opponents, so I’m super excited to see how this season starts and we’ll be using last year’s finish as motivation.”