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Page 6B Clean Sweep

Copperas Cove senior Ciara Cheadle was the final of eight senior volleyball players to sign letters of intent to play volleyball at the collegiate level. Cheadle made it a clean sweep on Wednesday
when she committed to play volleyball for Arlington Baptist University in Arlington during a signing ceremony held at Copperas Cove High School. “That is amazing,” Cheadle said about her
teammates’ accomplishments. “We made a statement - the class of 2015 as seniors. A lot of people doubted us thinking we weren’t going to be good and now all of us are signing. That’s exciting and just amazing.” Cheadle joins fellow seniors Mikayla Blount (Temple College), Destinee Branch (Dallas Christian), Savannah Cook (Western Texas), Lily Drever (Abilene Christian), Raelynn Morris-Utu (Dallas Christian), Lexi Perez (Concordia) and Shana Young (Vernon) in the college ranks. It was an uncertain road for Cheadle after blowing out her Achilles tendon early in the track 
season as she practiced jumping. She thought her career was over. “(I thought) I was done athletically and ‘Why me?’ and ‘Why did it happen?,’” said Cheadle. Then she got the fateful call. Kristi McDaniel, head coach of the Lady Patriots, gave her the news she’d been waiting for. “It was overwhelming,” said Cheadle. “There was so much excitement and joy knowing I still had a chance.”
McDaniel took a flyer on Cheadle as the injury made her unavailable for tryouts so she had to go with what she saw on tape and information from Cove head volleyball coach Cari Lowery.
“This says a lot about Ciara as a person and the volleyball player she is that the coach is taking a risk to sign her because she’s only seen film on her,” said Lowery during the ceremony. “I
told the coach this weekend, ‘You will not be disappointed in any way, shape or form. She is a leader on and off the court.’” Also making it a senior sweep were senior basketballers Caprica Brooks, Kenya Haynes and Angel Mullen. Of the four seniors, all signed to play at the next level with Blount signing for volleyball. “Eight out of eight,” said Copperas Cove athletic director Jack Welch. “And
there were four seniors on the basketball team - one signed to play volleyball – so 100 percent of the girls on the basketball team and 100 percent of the girls on the volleyball team are getting an opportunity to further their careers with what they like to do.” It was a rocky road for Brooks and crew but they got it together down the stretch and led the Lady Dawgs back to the postseason.
“I told all their coaches, ‘I really don’t think they’ve reached their potential yet,’” said head basketball coach Eldridge McAdams. “I think all of them have something inside of them that their coaches at the college level are going to get. I think it’s a great opportunity. I’m excited for all three of them and I  ish them the best.” Brooks committed to play for Howard Payne University in Brownsville and head coach Meia Daniels. “I’m excited,” said Brooks. “It’s kind of unreal.” The tough love of Daniels helped sell Brooks on Howard Payne. “The coach is what set
me on them,” she said. “She didn’t beat around the bush. She was straightforward with me and I love it. She pointed out my weaknesses and  strengths and what to work on.” Haynes committed to
play for the head coach Michael Madrid and the Paris Lady Dragons. “(Michael Madrid) is a great coach and I like the campus,” said Haynes. “I loved the workouts and the players are a great fit for me. When I first went there, they were already like family and made me feel welcome.” Haynes is just glad this day has finally arrived but is looking forward to making the best of her opportunity. 
“It feels good,” she said. “I never thought I would make it this far. I’m glad I found Paris Junior College and after that, maybe I can take it to the next level.” Last, but not least, Mullen signed to play for Schreiner University in Kerrville. “Ecstatic,” she said about her opportunity to continue her basketball career. “I feel relieved. It’s a weight off of your shoulders finally.” Mullen was stuck with a
positive quandary – basketball or softball. The two-sport athlete weighed the pros and cons, but in the end decided basketball was the road for her. “Basketball was always the one I would play at the collegiate level,” said Mullen. “We put more time, energy, blood sweat and tears into basketball and it just became more a part of my heart than softball. Softball will always be a part of me. Hopefully, I get to play both. But right now, it’s just basketball.” It didn’t take the senior long to know that Schreiner was the right place for her. “As soon as we drove in – I hadn’t even met anyone
yet – I fell in love with the place,” she said. “Lucky enough, they fell in love with me so it just worked out.” Mullen may have an opportunity to play both basketball and softball down the road but is focused on getting better in basketball. “For softball, I was always if I can get to work in there somewhere I will, and it’s looking like I could possibly play both,” said Mullen. “Seeing how well we do in basketball, I could possibly walk on to softball.” Mullen makes the 35th student-athlete to sign to play their respective sports at the next level. “We’ve had a banner year here at Copperas Cove,”
said Copperas Cove athletic director Jack Welch. This is the 35th signing that we’ve had this year, and the opportunity, that’s what it’s all about.”   

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