UPDATE: Cedar Park High School’s standout volleyball player, Joy Udoye, has just been named the 2025 Central Texas Player of the Year, a remarkable accolade that highlights her exceptional performance this season. Despite being only a high school junior, Udoye has displayed skills that rival those of seasoned college athletes, leading her team to a championship victory.
This fall, Udoye propelled the Cedar Park Timberwolves to a stunning 39-12 overall record and clinched the Class 5A Division II state title. Her eye-popping statistics include 581 kills, 364 digs, 34 aces, and 30 blocks. The announcement was made by the American-Statesman, which also recognized 54 players from 24 different schools in the All-Central Texas Volleyball Team.
Being named Central Texas’ Player of the Year is a crowning achievement in Udoye’s already impressive career. She has committed to play for Stanford University, and has started all four years for the Timberwolves, making her mark as a two-time first-team All-Central Texas player. Last season, Cedar Park finished as the runner-up at state, fueling Udoye’s drive for success this year.
“We started off the season with that being our goal,” Udoye explained. “We brought that into everything that we did. Throughout all of our practices and our training, we kept that in mind.”
Udoye’s coach, Lori McLaughlin, praised her evolution this season, stating, “This was the best version of Joy that I witnessed. She peaked at the right time as a senior, and that’s a testament to her training and all the time she’s put in the last four years.”
As a six-rotation player, Udoye excels beyond just hitting. She plays every position on the court, demonstrating her versatility and skill in passing, blocking, and serving. Standing over 6 feet tall and equipped with elite athleticism, she is a formidable force. Despite slightly lower totals than last year, she maintained an impressive average of more than four kills per set with a 26.1 hitting percentage.
“I was more consistent this season … and I just feel so accomplished after a kill,” Udoye shared. “I like the competitiveness that volleyball brings. I just like going out on the court. I find it enjoyable and an escape from regular life.”
Udoye’s journey began in a sports-centric environment, growing up with three older brothers who instilled a competitive spirit in her. “That just brought a different type of personality out of me,” she recalled. “And I would get to learn off of their athletic experiences.”
McLaughlin, who first noticed Udoye at a camp in 2019, initially mistook her for an eighth grader when she was only in sixth grade. Just a few short years later, Udoye led her team to a state title, capping off a stellar individual season.
“Sometimes it still feels like a dream,” Udoye reflected. “You ask yourself, ‘Is this real?’ But it was an amazing experience to win it with such a close team … and I had good connections with all of my setters and teammates.”
As the volleyball season progresses, all eyes remain on Joy Udoye, whose inspiring journey is just beginning, and her impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. Expect more updates on her career as she prepares for the collegiate level and continues to shine on the court.
