GAMES
RANKINGS
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Britton Finley commits to Texas State
Making the decision to play your sport at the next level can sometimes be an extremely easy choice to make. When you're making the decision to commit to your dream school, it's an even easier choice. Frisco Memorial 2025 outside hitter, Britton Finley, did just that this summer as she committed to playing volleyball at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. VYPE DFW caught up with Finley following her announcement.
Earning First Team All-District and Newcomer of the Year Honors, Finley was named the #9 ranked outside hitter in the region by PrepDig. A talented athlete, Finley set Frisco Memorial's school record for most kills in a season with a total of 538 and most kills in a game with a total of 40. Looking to continue making her mark in the history books of Frisco ISD Athletics, Finley certainly has great things coming her way over the next few seasons of her high school career. After announcing her decision to commit to her mother's alma mater, VYPE DFW was able to get an exclusive interview with her.
The decision to leave home isn't always an easy one. What impacted your decision to commit to Texas State's volleyball program?
"The decision to go to Texas State wasn't a hard decision. My mom played basketball there, so I have been a Bobcat since I was a kid and we lived in the hill country most of my life. So, being close to all of my family from the hill country and relatively close to my DFW family made an impact. At the end of the day the coaching staff at Texas State is so amazing; not only as coaches, but even better as people!"
What has been your favorite memory with Frisco Memorial so far?
"My favorite Warrior volleyball memory is the day we beat the number one team in our district, Frisco Liberty, in 5 sets. Nobody expected it and that made it even more exciting!"
Who do you look up to and why?
"My biggest professional role model would have to be my mom. She has shown me not only how to be an amazing athlete, but also a genuine person."
What do you believe has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
"My biggest accomplishment so far is definitely committing to my dream school!"
What goals do you have going into next season?
"I have many goals. Some include joining the 1,000 club for kills and being the top hitter in my area."
Do you have a game-day routine that you stick to?
"Honestly, I don't really have a routine, but I have noticed I have to drink a Celcius or Alani before my game because I don't play well if I don't."
What do you do in the offseason to prepare for the upcoming season?
"The off-season is just as important as the in-season-- if not more! During the off-season, I see my trainer, Jaid, three-ish times a week and make sure I'm doing plenty of privates and getting those reps!"
What mindset do you have going into each new season?
"Each new season I have to remind myself that no one is perfect because when you try to be perfect, you play so tight. Volleyball is a game of mistakes! I get so hard on myself about that kind of stuff so I have to remember there is no such thing as perfection."
What, in your opinion, is the secret to your team's success?
"Our team culture is just very competitive and we will do whatever we need to in order to win!"
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Graham Knowles commits to Georgia Tech
As athletes around the country begin finalizing their decisions on their near future, some of them are taking to social media to announce their plans for the next level. VYPE DFW caught up with Southlake Carroll quarterback, Graham Knowles, after he announced his commitment to the Georgia Tech football program this week.
Building something special! COMMITTED and ALL IN 🐝! @GeorgiaTechFB #TogetherWeSwarm@ChrisWeinke16 @CoachBrentKey @coachrdodge @OldSchoolQB @Coach_Stanfield @CarrollDragonFB pic.twitter.com/09SzaXWLqy
— Graham Knowles (@grahamknowles24) June 18, 2023
As an athlete who has worked hard to help his team, it is clear that Knowles is dedicated to putting in the hard work and giving his all to his team. Playing in 13 games last season (with five starts), Knowles threw for 1,864 yards while tallying 18 touchdowns with a 73% completion percentage. Check out VYPE DFW's exclusive interview with Knowles below:
Leaving home isn't always an easy decision to make. What impacted your choice when deciding to commit to Georgia Tech?
"Leaving home to head to Georgia Tech was an easy choice because of how much of a family the team is. When you have guys looking out for each other and all striving towards the same end goal, it's easy to come into that system and find success."
What has been your favorite memory playing with Southlake Carroll so far?
"My favorite memory would be beating McKinney in the third round of playoffs. We played a sloppy first half with a bunch of penalties and were down 14 points, I think, at halftime. They got the ball first coming back out. Nevertheless, we fought back and took the lead late in the fourth quarter on a fade in the endzone; a moment I'll never forget."
What professional athlete do you look up to and why?
"Growing up, I looked up to guys like Tom Brady and Payton Manning. I was always amazed at how they played the game by always being a step ahead with their football IQ."
What has been your biggest accomplishment in your high school career?
"So far, it's taking our team to the fourth round, but we are working on changing that next year and ending the season on a win. With next year's goal being the state championships."
Do you have a game day routine that you stick to?
"Routine-wise, I'm a music guy. I always have to have my pre-game mix going strong in my headphones."
What do you do in the offseason to ensure your skills are sharp going into the next season?
"In the off-season is when we make our money. Ever since last year ended, we have been going at it to try and improve 1% every single day whether that is early morning lifts and conditioning to throwing routes."
What is your mindset going into each season?
"Our mindset going into each season is to play to our standard. Southlake Carroll has a storied past and standard of play upheld by Coach Dodge. So instead of worrying about whoever we are playing, we worry about ourselves and we know if we handle our business the outcome will follow. That's also a major part to the repeated success at Southlake-- having a bunch of players buy into that idea."