Eagles name Emilee Madsen as captain

This archived article was written by: Jennifer Jarrett

As the CEU volleyball players sat in their locker room the night before their first game (the alumni game) listening to Coach Brent Martindale, an announcement was made: “This year’s team captain will be … Emilee Madsen.”
He continued on listing the expectations and duties she, as the captain, will be performing throughout the season.
Madsen exclaimed, “I didn’t know what to do or how to act as we were sitting there. I definitely was surprised, I thought there would be two captains this year so when the announcement was made and I realized he had decided to make it a solo job, I was surprised. I thought many of the girls on the team would make amazing captains.”
Some of the duties Madsen will perform throughout the season include, representing the team’s opinion to the coach; if there is a problem instead of all the girls going to talk to coach, Madsen will express their feelings for them.
She will attempt to step up the games, bring a positive feeling to the team, and if there is a problem on the court Madsen is the one who, in a civil manner, will attempt to talk to the referee and figure it out.
“I got a lecture on that this weekend, I’m supposed to discuss in, ‘a civil manner.’ I am pretty hot-headed believe it or not,” she laughed.
Madsen’s teammates weren’t shocked at all when she was named their new captain.
Candace Gunnell stated, “I expected it. She is the main player that gets us going.”
Amy Collette exclaimed, “She was born to be captain, that’s her role. She is the heart of our team, she cheers and encourages us, keeps us feeling positive, and goes the extra mile for us.”
Although her teammates relayed that Madsen has been fulfilling many of her duties since the first day of practice, Madsen confided, “The main reason I think I got captain is because I am the loudest one on the court. You should hear me during practice. I’m all you can hear!”
Madsen came to CEU from Bountiful where she began playing volleyball in the fifth grade. Many of her friends and family were surprised to see her playing for CEU since she swore to them she would never move down here. However once she came down here met, the girls and was able to observe Martindale’s coaching technique, she decided this was the place she wanted to be. “The main reason I came to try out here was because my brother and his family live down here and it really isn’t too far away from home, that’s always good. I wanted to stay close to home because I’m a mama’s girl, a real family gal and as much as I swore I’d never live here, I feel like it’s home now.”
Madsen is CEU’s setter. She explained, “I play setter, mainly because I am only 5” 2.’ But she does’t let her height stop her from doing what she loves most.
Collette explained, “She is a real hustler, works hard and does her best every time she sets foot on the court. She is a killer setter, man!”
Madsen expects to have an amazing season. “We have a really good bunch of girls, they are so much fun and we have a lot of good laughs. I feel like we are a lot stronger as a whole than last year. I think all of our hard work will pay off and we will be able to come through as winners. We have started out pretty competitive and will only get stronger, we can only go up from here!”