Columbus East’s Maddie Cline tips the ball against Franklin’s Veronica Whitaker Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 at Columbus East High School.
The Republic file photo
Maddie Cline has made her presence felt this volleyball season.
Cline worked on her hitting skills in the offseason, and it’s paid dividends. The senior has been a dominant force as an outside hitter for Columbus East this season.
“I’ve worked with many different setters, and that’s helped me a lot,” Cline said.
Cline and the rest of the Olympians will look to extend their season in the Bloomington North Regional, where they will take on Castle in the second semifinal game at 1 p.m. Saturday. Should East advance, it will take on the winner between Floyd Central and Center Grove in the regional championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Cline was a multisport athlete growing up. She played volleyball, basketball and soccer at around 8 years old. She gave up soccer when she was about 10 to focus on playing club volleyball. She played basketball and volleyball at St. Peter’s Lutheran Middle School. She transitioned from hardwood to the natatorium, when she swam for East her freshman and sophomore years until deciding to focus squarely on volleyball beginning her junior year.
Columbus East’s Maddie Cline, left, goes up for a block against Whiteland’s Ashlyn Ricketts during a sectional volleyball match at Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.
The Republic file photo
Columbus East’s Maddie Cline tips the ball against Franklin’s Veronica Whitaker Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 at Columbus East High School.
The Republic file photo
This season, Cline leads the Olympians with 324 kills, is second on the team in digs with 239 and is tied for fifth on the team in total blocks with 15.
As much as she’s been a force on the court, its her attitude and leadership that stands out the most.
“She doesn’t say a whole lot, but goes out there and gets the job done,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “She’s the one that girls look up to. She’s a positive influence and stays positive in times of struggle. She’s the first that will get people hyped up. She’s just happy about everything.”
Cline hasn’t fully closed the door on volleyball after her senior season concludes. She said she would play volleyball in college if the right opportunity arises.
For now, she has eyes set on academics. Her top colleges she has looked at are Butler and Purdue. She wants to get into either veterinary medicine or biology for her academic study.
Cline said the biggest focus for her heading into Saturday is her serve-receiving and also to have better passing.
Regardless of how the results unfold on Saturday, Cline is appreciative of her four years with the volleyball program.
“I’ve learned a lot from my teammates and from my coaches, especially Ellyn,” Cline said. “I’ve learned to work hard for everything because nothing is going to be handed to you. I have learned not to take moments with my friends for granted, especially since I’m a senior this year. I’m not going to come back and play with them next year. I’ve also gained a lot of friends from East volleyball, that’s probably my biggest gain. It’s all the friendships I’ve made.”
