The ultimate chase to be the 2024 NCAA Volleyball Champions gets underway in less than a day. With this lies open a rare possibility- for the Longhorns to hit a hat-trick as they’ve been the defending champions since 2022. Also, given that no other program but Penn State has ever won the NCAA title thrice in a row, it’s not just any other chance, but the springboard to superstardom for Texas.

And who better than Madisen Skinner to spearhead them to a three-peat? She’s been a 3x NCAA champion already, once with the Wildcats and the other two with the Texans. Thus, there’s a lot of experience there. Plus, talk about ambition- she’s so fiercely committed to her sport. However, there was a time and age when this looked uncertain.

Madisen Skinner was doubtful of her volleyball success

Madisen Skinner’s elder sister, Avery, was deeply involved in volleyball, which often brought Madisen to the court. But don’t get it wrong—she wasn’t there for the game. Instead, young Madisen spent her time dancing along the sidelines as the minutes ticked by. At that stage, she was still exploring her options, trying her hand at various sports like gymnastics and basketball. However, neither her mind nor her feet found a place to settle.

Skinner had grown too tall for gymnastics and ballet, the soccer girls were mean, and well, she had more reasons than 1 to not pick basketball. And by the time she grew 14, she was just accompanying Avery to her volleyball matches and sitting in on the coach’s conversations, until one day the elder one ordered, “We’re going to hit some balls.”

Avery’s collection of volleyball trophies was huge and so was her knowledge about her sister’s skills. But the latter feared starting too late, which 14 regrettably was. That’s when the teen Madisen Skinner who sat on the fence about volleyball confessed to her elder one who was a pro, “I’m not got gonna be good.”

But one step at a time, Avery kept taking her chances. She began peppering with Madisen Skinner who had little idea what was going on but was all in for the fun challenge. Until, she finally decided to take the leap of faith, registering for the tryouts at Avery’s club team, Houston Skyline.

And well, from a confused 14-year-old to the first collegiate athlete to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with H-E-B, Madisen Skinner’s come a long way. But does she have it in her to be the mascot who steers the Longhorns to a three-peat? Well, here’s why we think she does.

Why is Skinner essential to the Texas Longhorns’ success?

Madisen Skinner was the 2023 NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. Also, she was named the Volleyball Magazine’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2023. How could she not be a crucial part of the Longhorns’ success then? And more than that, we’ve seen this season how her new season high of 25 kills helped the Longhorns grab that much-needed victory against Mississippi.

Moreover, Skinner enters the NCAA volleyball championships with a great season record. She has 348 kills so far and 4.65 points per set. And we’ve also seen how the team at times wobbles in the absence of their ace outside-hitter. Remember the recent match against Ole Miss when Madisen Skinner was unwell? The Longhorns kept battling it out for five sets before they grabbed a difficult win.

Thus, Skinner’s role in the team is irreplaceable. But do you think that would be enough for the Longhorns to go all out and bag a third title in three years? Let us know your NCAA Champions predictions below!