UPDATE: Joy Udoye has just been named the 2025 Central Texas Player of the Year, marking a significant achievement in her high school volleyball career. The Cedar Park star led her team to the Class 5A Division II state title with sensational stats, including 581 kills, 364 digs, 34 aces, and 30 blocks, as the Timberwolves finished the season with an impressive 39-12 record.
This accolade caps off an extraordinary season for Udoye, who is still a high school athlete with one semester left at Cedar Park. Her performance this fall has drawn comparisons to college-level play, and she has solidified her status as a top-tier player in an area renowned for its volleyball talent.
Cedar Park’s coach, Lori McLaughlin, emphasized the remarkable growth she witnessed in Udoye this season. “This was the best version of Joy that I witnessed,” McLaughlin stated. “She peaked at the right time as a senior, and that’s a testament to her training and dedication over the last four years.”
Udoye’s journey in volleyball has been nothing short of inspiring. A two-time first-team All-Central Texas selection, she has already signed to play with Stanford, further proving her exceptional skill set. After finishing as the runner-up at state last year, Udoye and her teammates set their sights on victory, using last season’s experience as motivation. “We started off the season with that being our goal,” Udoye shared. “We kept that in mind throughout all of our practices and training.”
As a six-rotation player, Udoye’s versatility is unmatched. She excels in passing, blocking, and serving, but her specialty remains scoring. Standing over 6 feet tall with elite athleticism, she creates a significant challenge for opponents. Despite slightly lower raw totals compared to previous seasons, she maintained an impressive average of over four kills per set with a hitting percentage of 26.1%. “I was more consistent this season … and I just feel so accomplished after a kill,” Udoye reflected.
Born into a family of athletes, Udoye’s competitive spirit was evident from a young age, inspired by her three older brothers. “That just brought a different type of personality out of me,” she noted, recalling the rough-and-tumble environment that shaped her competitive edge.
McLaughlin first spotted Udoye’s potential at a camp in 2019, mistakenly thinking she was an eighth-grader when she was just in sixth grade. It wasn’t long before Udoye became a vital player for the Timberwolves, showcasing her talent and dedication throughout her high school career.
“Sometimes it still feels like a dream,” Udoye expressed. “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 Central Texas volleyball community celebrates Udoye’s achievement, her story serves as an inspiration for young athletes across the region. With her future at Stanford on the horizon, all eyes will be on Joy Udoye as she continues to break barriers and set new records in her athletic journey.
