GAMES
RANKINGS
Second Baptist's Riley Tackett & Madi Hobbs
SUPER DUO: Tackett, Hobbs Go Back-To-Back
THE SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL HAD A TREMENDOUS YEAR AS MOST EVERY TEAM REACHED THE PLAYOFFS.
Football, baseball and girls basketball each advanced the State Final Four, but only one team hoisted the TAPPS State Title… girls sand volleyball.
The team of Riley Tackett and Madi Hobbs defended their State Title, knocking off Bay Area Christian Academy 25-18 to go win consecutive championships.
“We were so excited to win it again. We were just so proud of ourselves for going back-to-back,” Tackett said. “Sand volleyball just keeps evolving as a sport and it’s just going to keep growing in popularity. What is cool is that we can say we started something big here at Second Baptist School.”
Tackett knows about winning, having played on the girls basketball team that has reached the State Tournament four times. She also starred for the Eagles’ volleyball teams. Hobbs was playmaker for the volleyball team in her own right, earning first team, all-district honors.
“I was playing indoor when I was growing up in Florida,” Hobbs said.
“Then Covid hit and we couldn’t play, so we hit the beach. I fell in love with beach and now it’s my primary sport. My goal is to play beach in the future, and I am playing this summer with college players to get me prepared.”
So, how does sand volleyball differ from playing on the hardwood?
“It’s a different sport. Being able to play in the wind takes some time getting used to,” Hobbs laughed.
“You have so much more responsibility in beach,” Tackett said. “It’s just the two of you. You have to communicate so much more and be more versatile. It makes me a better indoor volleyball player and really helps with endurance for girls basketball.”
So, what else do you need to know about the dynamic duo?
VYPE: Where can you see yourself in the next 10 years?
TACKETT: I’m highly focused on academics and want to be a corporate lawyer. I’m looking at Clemson and Tulane for my undergraduate.
VYPE: What is your nickname?
HOBBS: Well, you may hear my Dad calling me “Madi Jean” when he is in the stands.
VYPE: If you could be on Reality TV, what show would you be on?
TACKETT: No doubt, Survivor. I think my physical game and social game would be solid.
VYPE: What do you listen to before a big match?
HOBBS: This sounds weird, but I like to listen to the wind and waves before play. It just relaxes me.
VYPE: What is your favorite vacation spot?
TACKETT: Maine
VYPE: What is your favorite board game?
HOBBS: Life
Second Baptist School duo claims TAPPS Sand Volleyball State Championship
HOUSTON – With school out for the summer, most high school students heading to the beach are doing so for a little much-needed rest and relaxation.
For Second Baptist School’s Madi Hobbs ’25 and Riley Tackett ’24, their most recent trip to the beach wasn’t for recreation but competition.
The duo represented the Eagles at the 2022 TAPPS Sand Volleyball State Tournament at the Game On Sports Complex in Fort Worth. Playing in the Diamond Division, the duo went undefeated and brought home a State Championship in sand volleyball.
“It was so exciting!” Second Baptist volleyball coach Chandace Tryon said. “Both girls have been playing at Third Coast, but to see them win while representing SBS was great!”
Third Coast Volleyball Club is the premier beach volleyball facility of Houston and the entire Gulf Coast.
The duo, coached by SBS junior varsity coach Alyssa Meyer during the sand volleyball tournament, opened the tournament in pool play, and went 3-0, defeating their opponents 21-7, 21-7 and 21-12, in Pool D play.
This advanced them to the Venice Bracket. There, they won their first match 26-18, second match 27-25 and then the State Championship match 25-14 to go a perfect 6-0.
Finding success this summer on the sand, Tryon believes will pay huge dividends come the fall once they step back into the gym at Second Baptist School.
“Madi and Riley are both returners who will take on big roles this season,” Tryon said. “I think this experience allowed them to level up their chemistry with each other, which I’m sure will translate to indoor.”
Last season, Second Baptist School advanced to the TAPPS 5A State Semifinals with Hobbs (115 kills, 105 digs) and Tackett (12 kills, 9 digs, 4 blocks) being a part of that run.
“Riley is very skilled in several areas of the game, but I’m looking forward to the competitiveness she’ll bring to our team environment,” Tryon said. “She strives to win every single time she’s on the court, whether it’s a game or a drill, she’s getting after it and that’s the attitude we need in our gym to be successful.
“Madi is also highly skilled. She’s a six-rotation outside who we ask a lot of. This season we’re going to take advantage of her ability to create shots and see the court to score.”