Cypress Ranch volleyball entered the 2023 season with some uncertainty. Coach Chrissy Woodward left to take over the Cypress Christian program and All-America Brianna Muoneke began her career at Texas A&M.
Enter coach Dr. Collea McKinney, who was an assistant at The Woodlands High School last year... which reached the State Tournament in 2022.
Cy Ranch is currently 22-5 as they are completing the first round of district-play with at ton of momentum. It’s been a smooth transition as McKinney brings a new, fresh perspective.
“Our culture is about respect,” said McKinney. “The players are not only respecting the coaches, but respecting each other. We preach building each other up. We’re only as good as our weakest link, so as long as we’re all staying together, everybody brings something to the table.”
The Mustangs are led by a trio of senior captains, headlined by Gabrielle Eads (L), Taryn Gilreath (S) and Vanderbilt-commit Taylor Porter (OH).
Porter leads the team Cy Ranch in kills (332), while Gilreath leads in assists (357). Eads is in the top-three of each of the team’s stat categories.
"Porter just has a great energy about her," she said. "She's a great player but more importantly, a great teammate and leader. She has a great personality. She's a really unique player and were are blessed to have her. Taryn is back in the program after taking a year off. We are happy to have her back."
However, McKinney is most impressed with how they’ve led with accountability.
“We have a working relationship where they share ideas with me about what can help the team,” she said. “The coaches have to occasionally make hard decisions, but I’ve been leaning on them to uphold the standards we have and keep the team together. We come to a compromise but I hear them. It's really helping me with my active listening, which I'm working on.
“I feel like the other teammates respond to them well. It’s hard to lead when you don’t have the right relationship. Them being friends off the court, makes it easier for them to stay connected on the court.”
McKinney is clearly a player’s coach, which stems from the time she played volleyball at Henderson State. It’s where she would meet her husband, Anton McKinney Jr., who coaches at boys basketball Conroe.
It’s also where she would pursue her doctorate in education. Given her upbringing, it seems like it was always meant to be.
“I couldn't handle the blood to be a medical doctor, but I’ve always been around the educational system. That's why I wanted to pursue a doctorate in education. My father was a teacher and a preacher with several degrees and my mother worked in higher education for years,” McKinney said. “Apparently, it’s my passion because I like building up others. I think that’s because of my background, growing up in the church and the positive influence of my family.
“I feel like you always have to build up the whole person, which is what my parents and coaches have done for me over the years. I feel like if I can help somebody out that way, then my work is done."
While Bridgeland, Langham Creek and Cy Woods will make for a challenging district race, count on the 'Stangs to return to the postseason.
For Cypress Ranch is in good hands with the Doc McKinney.