Volleyball standout Madelyn Robinson not taking anything for granted

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Madelyn Robinson smiling after the BYU women’s volleyball afternoon practice in the Smith Fieldhouse. (Addie Blacker)

It’s 8 p.m. in Provo. While other students may be doing homework or heading out for the night, Madelyn Robinson is getting some much-needed rest before she wakes up the next morning at 4:30.

Volleyball practice doesn’t start until the late afternoon, but Robinson has developed a habit of making every minute count, even if that means waking up before the sun. 

Robinson’s self-discipline made her stand out to college recruiters while she was in high school, and it has continued to make a difference on the BYU women’s volleyball team since she joined in 2018. Robinson has started in 22 matches this season and recorded 251 kills and 139 digs as of Nov. 5.

Robinson said she played several sports growing up but chose volleyball because of her fond memories playing with her dad and sister, Malia. The three spent many evenings at the gym hitting volleyballs back and forth. 

For a few years, Robinson didn’t have a steady school that she attended because her family moved around Utah County. This meant that she didn’t play on a high school team until she was a junior. Her family moved in with her grandparents in Highland, Utah and lived there while her grandparents served a mission, making Lone Peak the first high school Robinson knew she would be attending for an extended length of time. Because of this, she decided to join the volleyball team. 

She said she was pleasantly surprised to find that her club coach, Reed Carlson, had become Lone Peak’s new volleyball head coach. She didn’t take the opportunity for granted and chose to dedicate herself to the team. In 2016, she was named Lone Peak’s volleyball player of the year.

“She will put herself on the line for those she loves and trusts and for what she believes in,” Carlson said.

The Lone Peak volleyball team won state championships in the 2016 and 2017 seasons that she played with the team. Robinson knows the value of hard work and is willing to make sacrifices to accomplish her goals.

“I have learned so much from her and consider her one of the most dynamic individuals I have ever had the pleasure of coaching,” Carlson said. “She taught me what someone can accomplish and is willing to endure when they have a clear purpose.” Carlson added that Robinson’s daily commitments have led to her success.

Once Robinson graduated from high school, she chose to play for BYU and picked jersey number 9. Her dad and uncle both wore 9 on their respective sports teams and passed the tradition down to their kids. 

Though she did not play for a high school team until her junior year, Robinson was a standout player on her club team. (Addie Blacker)

She continues to push herself in college. The sophomore finished her first year at BYU with 138 kills; her single-match record was 12 against Duke. She focuses every day to continue improving her skills. She said the highlights of her volleyball career happen at practices. 

“When you’re with your girls, it’s a good time,” Robinson said. “I love practices. Practices are great and getting in the gym and working.”

The exercise science major also enjoys practices because she values taking care of her body. Her teammates said she follows a healthy diet and restricts her sugar intake.

Robinson has a more laid-back side too. She is rooming with her older sister and said she is having the time of her life. When she isn’t on the court, she spends time with King George, her Percheron horse, or practices the violin. Before she knows it, the sun begins to set and 8 p.m. rolls around. It’s Robinson’s bedtime again, and in a few short hours, her alarm will sound to alert her of the start of another busy day.

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