In her final year as a Smithson Valley volleyball player Senior outside hitter Maddie Mckay has taken on a large leadership role as one of the important players on the team this season.

In this season, Mckay leads the team in kills with 2.32 per game and second in blocks per game with .35, contributing heavily to the early success of the Ranger season.

“Maddie’s been on varsity for three years now and her experience has been critical for us being successful,” head Coach Courtney Patton said, “She’s got a great ability to read her hitters across the net and her experience with her shot selections makes her a valuable piece to our offense.”

McKay’s teammates also believe that she is very valuable to the team and her leadership  and toughness has left a lasting effect on them.

“She believes in us even when the going gets tough,” Senior Jordan Pruski said, “She is a smart player and knows what to say eve when we don’t want to hear it, she’s a great person on and off the court.”

McKay is committed to play volleyball at UTSA where she will continue her volleyball career. A lot went into Mckay’s commitment as she valued family, education, and a program that fitted her.

“I thought really hard about where I wanted to go,” McKay said, “In the end UTSA’s program is great, they have what I want to study, and it is close to my family.”

McKay won’t be the only college athlete in the family however, as her brother Cole McKay, also a Ranger athlete, pitched for the baseball team for the LSU Tigers and just recently transferred to Howard while her older sister Macie Mckay also played college volleyball at UTSA as well.

“It really pushed me to pursue college sports as well,” McKay said, “I always looked up to them growing up.”

McKay looks to end her final year with a bang. Her eyes are set on the playoffs as district rounds up on the season and the Rangers attempt to make a run for state.

“For the rest of the season my goal is to finish strong,” McKay said, “ We need to play as a team and get as far as we can in the playoffs.”