Madisen Skinner has an immense responsibility this time. Throughout the season, the Texas Longhorns failed to show the known spark in their games. Rather, the defending national champion will enter the contest with a lackluster 18-6 record. Additionally, after winning the NCAA Volleyball championship title two times in a row, this time, Skinner will have to take the prime role in bringing the third. A lot to ask of someone who is in her last collegiate days! Will she be able to pull off the miracle? Time will tell. But in her professional career so far, she has only tried to touch her sister Avery Madisen’s feet. Everything else has followed her, meanwhile. How? 

In one of her interactions, Madisen said, “People tell me I am a gifted athlete. I want to love a sport as much as Avery loves volleyball. Maybe volleyball can be that sport for me, too.” But what is their story? How did the three-time national volleyball champion player take her motivation from her elder sister? Folks, here are the details. 

Everything you need to know about the lives and rise of volleyball stars Madisen and Avery Skinner

Daughters to Brian and Rebecca, both Avery and Madisen Skinner, were born in Katy, Texas. They just have a gap of 2 years between their ages. However, they were inspired by their father, as Brian had a basketball career. First, he earned the three-time all-conference selection at Baylor University. Later, he moved to the NBA in 1998. His feet didn’t settle there for long, though. He had a brief career playing for multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings. Rebecca, the mother of six children, however, had to see some tough days. The reason?

In 2003, when Madisen was 2 and Avery was 4, their parents parted ways. Yet the sisters did not want to miss their father’s games. They rushed to each game and shouted for Brian from the stands. But their duty didn’t end there. They used to wait for their father till the end bell, just to have dinner outings. This bond between the bloodlines impacted both sisters. In their life, they had to shift to several places, but the bond remained intact. In fact, Madi shifted to volleyball just by watching her sister practicing from the sidelines. 

At first, Madisen started as a gymnast. But her soaring height made Rebecca sign her up for soccer. However, Avery had already set her mojo in volleyball by then. She even gathered multiple awards and trophies in her college days. In every game and mix-up, her little sister accompanied her but as a cheering individual. Her call in the sport had yet to come. At 14, Madisen Skinner felt the crisis. She had the option to join the ballet class. But her lanky presence barred her from entering the group. She didn’t have the gate open to join basketball, as she didn’t want a comparison with her father’s career. So, she had a very limited opportunity. In that critical moment, Avery came into the scene as a soul saver.

The big sister eventually took on the responsibility. She started peppering Madi, first after her practices and eventually outside their home. Well, Madi had no idea what she was doing, but she fit in the challenge. In the meantime, the blessing came. Avery’s club team, Houston Skyline, was preparing for tryouts. Since her initial years, Madi had seen all the opportunities that volleyball had provided for Avery. So, she resolved to give it a chance. And bang! That’s how the phenom came into being. She found a place in her elder sister’s club. Since then, there has been looking behind. But how did Avery Skinner take everything? The emotions filled her like nothing else. She felt the success. Later in one of her interactions, Avery said, “Volleyball was something I was loving so much. And Madi is literally good at everything she does. I wanted her to have something she enjoyed as much as I did.” Later, the sisters found their paths again while walking with volleyball in their hearts. 

The days in Kentucky Wildcats 

In 2017, Avery Skinner joined the Kentucky Wildcats. However, by then, Madisen had also claimed a revered position in Houston Skyline. In fact, at 17, she became the No. 2 recruit in the country. And what was Avery doing then? In her freshman year, Avery scored 362 kills, the second-highest on her team. Because of that, fireworks chased her. She had her laurel shaped as a position in the SEC All-Freshman team. In 2018, the golden chances didn’t stop showering on her as she received a call to train with the 2018 US Collegiate National team. However, her senior national team debut came much later, at the 2022 Pan American Cup. But in the meantime, a lot of things came into her life. 

After Avery’s shift to Kentucky Wildcats, Madisen started to miss the company. On the weekends, she continued to attend Avery’s games with her mother and pet. But the momentary joy wasn’t enough to fill the void. Her moment came in 2020 with a scholarship offer from Kentucky. The time was tough because of the COVID. The lockdown regulations had been in place. Additionally, Avery had a career-threatening knee injury in 2019. She took time to shed the dust. But in the middle of everything, she could play only nine games in 2019. But she kept her best form saved for the 2020 season.

In 2020, the season started late because of the COVID rules. Actually, it was pushed to 2021. Nonetheless, it came in spring. And folks, it came for good. In her final season for the Wildcats, Avery Skinner displayed phenomenal character in the arena. In the final, the Skinner sisters had their fun game against Texas. On the final night, Avery scored 14 kills and four blocks. Madisen went a step ahead, scoring 19 kills. Because of their camaraderie on the turf, the Wildcats landed the NCAA Volleyball championship as the first team in SEC history. Six weeks later, Avery shifted to Baylor to finish her graduation. Because of the COVID, she received an extra year to complete her academics. Madisen shifted as well to the Texas Longhorns. 

Highlights of major achievements of Avery Skinner

At Baylor, Avery Skinner ended her career with a statement. With 355 kills in 101 sets played, averaging 3.51 kills per set, 255 digs, and 49 blocks, she had the queen’s smile on her face. She concluded her final collegiate season with the second-highest kill total on the team. Also, the NCAA gave her flowers with an Honorable Mention All-American. She was selected as one of the NCAA Woman of the Year finalists. Her international career just took flight a year later. 

In 2022, Avery featured in the women’s national team for the Pan American Cup and the Pan American Cup final six. In the end, she took away the titles of Best Spiker and Best Scorer. But probably, her biggest achievement came in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She ended the contest with a silver medal. However, she now wants to extend this duty. She, after all, has her eyes set on the 2028 LA Olympics. But she also has a wish watered deep in her heart. What’s that?

In the LA Olympics, Avery Skinner wants her sister by her side, playing with her. “We haven’t played together in a couple years. The last time was my senior year at Kentucky, so it would be really cool to get to play together again.” The stars can align as Madisen Skinner has a few days left to bid goodbye to her collegiate career. Are you ready to see the sisters playing together again in different jerseys?