Carl Albert High School star volleyball player Kailey Stuart keeps herself rooted in her faith. When she isn’t starring on the court for the Titans or Kaizen 17s, maintaining her 4.0 GPA, or participating in NHS, she’s in Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Youth for Christ.
She credits her mother and sister, Madison, for leading her in that arena of her life.
“My mom has always said that God will have a plan for my life, and my sister encouraged me to want to get closer with Him,” Stuart said.
Madison Stuart was herself a standout volleyball player for the Titans.
“I was able to be at the high school with her for 2 years and her last year, we both got to play on varsity together! It was such a fun experience,” Stuart said. “She’s the one who got me into volleyball. In sixth grade, I was like, ‘well, Madison played volleyball, so I might as well try,’ and then she taught me all of the skills and basically led me to where I am now!”
Stuart is now blazing her own career at Carl Albert, but she’ll forever cherish the time she spent playing with her sister.
“Those 2 years were very special to the both of us! They brought so many memories that we will never forget, and a tighter bond because we got to do what we both loved together,” Stuart said.
Stuart considers setting one of her best skills. It’s one she came by on her own.
“[Madison] was never a setter and couldn’t really give me all the tips and tricks to it,” Stuart said. “But I had some amazing coaches that taught me how to do it and me love it!”
Playing club volleyball since her 12s year has provided Stuart life lessons she won’t soon forget and opportunities she otherwise wouldn’t have had. She’s traveled to Arkansas, Texas, Chicago, Kansas and beyond to play against the country’s best.
“I have played on a couple different teams. I’ve made so many friends and memories with them that I will never forget,” Stuart said. “I’ve had a different coach each year, so I was able to experience many different coaching styles and got different skills from each of them!
“It has benefited me a lot because I’ve got to see so much more competition than what’s just local to us! And with tougher competition, it makes me better as a player.”
Stuart doesn’t expect she’ll pursue a volleyball career after she graduates high school, but she does know she’ll continue her education.
“I want to start going to school to be an ultrasound tech and focus on that,” Stuart said.
