By: Olivia Jones

Altus High School sophomore Kaprie Craddock may only be in her second year of high school, but she’s already made a name for herself as a versatile and fearless competitor on the volleyball court. Standing six feet tall, she’s capable of stepping into multiple roles, whether it’s outside hitter, middle, right side, or even as a defensive specialist. That flexibility makes her a valuable weapon for both her high school squad and her club team, Club 940 in the North Texas Region.

Craddock’s motivation comes from an unexpected source: her setbacks. “I am motivated mostly by my failures and the haters,” she shared. “I love pushing myself. I’m always striving for perfection, but realistically, I understand excellence is the true outcome”. That relentless drive has already carried her to a varsity starting role as just a freshman, a moment she remembers vividly. “Hearing the fans cheer, ‘She’s a freshman,’ after crushing a ball was the best!”

One of her biggest influences is Keely Brown, a former Altus senior and now a college athlete. “She took me under her wing my freshman year, pushing and encouraging me to become a better person on and off the court,” Craddock said. Alongside Brown’s mentorship, Coach Garrison has also been a powerful force in her development. “He understands my competitive nature and has embraced my silly personality,” she said.

Faith also plays a central role in her journey. “Some keys to my success have been my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, understanding that everything is in His hands. Along with a natural passion and the desire to always be teachable.”

Though she loves competing against rival schools, especially those where her club teammates play, Kaprie insists that her toughest opponent is herself. “I compete against the best version of myself. Keeping my thoughts right and confidence high can be challenging, so I try not to compare myself to others.”

She also made sure to highlight a teammate she feels doesn’t always get the spotlight: libero Jordyn Huckins. “She’s a hustler who makes plays happen, but usually the hitters get all the glory.”

Balancing the life of a student-athlete isn’t easy, but Kaprie takes pride in managing her schoolwork and sports through sacrifice and prioritization. Representing Altus, a smaller town with a still-growing volleyball program, is something she takes personally. “Being able to compete with established programs allows Altus well-deserved attention, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Off the court, Kaprie loves team traditions like dancing the “Hokey Pokey” before matches. Looking ahead, her dream is to one day suit up for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. And if volleyball weren’t in the picture, she says she’d give basketball another shot, even though she laughs about not being very good at it when she was younger.

With her work ethic, passion, and heart for both the game and her community, Kaprie Craddock is poised to keep raising the bar for Altus volleyball.