By Khadijah Torbert

When you grow up tall, most people associate your height with having to play a sport. That sport usually is basketball or running track, and for Madison Henley, a Sophomore at Southern Union it was no different.

"I actually quit basketball to play club which is travel volleyball and I realized I loved volleyball more than basketball. I felt like I was also better at volleyball."

Madison acknowledges that jumping into another sport was not at all easy. She says she had to put in work to earn a spot on the team.

"When I tried out I wasn't the best and even when I made it my eighth grade year, I barely got in," said Madison. "I just remember being the manager and watching the varsity play and thinking I want to be on that court one day. I remember coming back my eighth grade year [for] try-outs and when I made it I was so happy. I didn't give up, I had a goal, and I did it."

She says she remembers trying out to be a Bison for SU, and it was an instant yes due to a lot of different factors.

"As soon as I walked into the arena, I just loved it. I got on the court and did my thing and I wasn't really nervous because it felt comfortable," said Madison. "The coaches, you could tell they were comfortbale in me and their love for the game," she said.

"Also just going to school here felt comfortable. It's bigger than high school but its just the perfect size to transition from high school to college."

The Coronavirus pandemic impacted the world in 2020, and the sports world was not exempt to it's disruptions. Madison says although she was fighting through an injury, there were some positives that came from an adjusted season.

"In some ways people may look at it as a negative that our season was pushed back and we had to have so many regulations, like masks, our fans couldn't even come for awhile and our parents not being able to come. But then again, you can look at the positive we had time, time to practice and get to know the players," said Madison.

She says her favorite thing was to facetime incoming teammates and learn about them but also prep them for their new life as a Bison. 

"I tell them to have an open mind because this is different than high school, the coaching style is different, the stuff we do is different, it's just different," said Madison.

When asked what she likes to do beyond volleyball, well: "Everytime I answer this question I always say volleyball. I love playing volleyball. But obvisioluy hanging with friends and family. When I'm home I go to church and hang with my dad especially, we're super close," said Madison.

Her time at SU may be winding down, but Madison said she is forever grateful for the leadership of her coaches and their committment.

"We lost, she [Coach Jackson} wanted us to run right after the game so we ran and practiced. The coaches kept saying how they can leave and go home but they didn't because they're committed. I see how committed they are to us. I see the love they have for it and it makes me want to show them why I'm committed too," Madison said.

Madison spoke on one goal she and her teammates have to complete before graduating.

"The volleyball team has never beat Wallace-Hanceville so that's a goal for this season is to beat them or knock a few sets off."

She is currently majoring in Elementary Education where she plans to pursue a career as a teacher on and off the court.

"I have had great coaches who have impacted me. I want to be that coach for someone else," said Madison.

Catch Madison and the entire Bison volleyball team next in action Thursday February 25 at 6:00pm.