Special to the Leader
The Stony Point volleyball team is appreciative that her focus shifted to the volleyball court. The senior has led the Tigers (32-9, 11-1) to their winningest season in school history, along with capturing their first District 16-5A title.
The Tigers will play Anderson on Tuesday in their first playoff match at Pflugerville High.
"This year has been pretty amazing," said Godfrey, who has played on varsity since her freshman campaign. "It's all coming together. I think including coach (Jayson Langman), it's been a struggle for all of us."
In Godfrey's freshman season - Langman's first year as coach - the team won only five games and knew they had an uphill battle in the competitive district. Steadily, they improved each season and last year they finished 24-19, while having the program's first winning record.
"All the work is starting to pay off," Langman said. "This is a year we've been working at for four years."
The senior trio of Godfrey, Brittney Garcia and Katey Griffith has led the change.
"Our attitude has been the difference between last year and this season," Godfrey said. "You could see everyone's attitudes changing in the offseason. Everyone went 100 percent and was working harder."
In April, Godfrey verbally committed to play at North Texas. Now that she is having a standout senior season where she is averaging 5.3 kills per game, more schools are starting to look her way. She isn't backing off her commitment, however.
"Now I feel if you cut my arm open, I bleed green," she said, while estimating she owns about six Mean Green T-shirts. "I'm really excited and anxious to get up there."
As an outside hitter, ideally schools look for players that are 6-feet tall or higher, but Godfrey is 5-foot-7. She makes up the height in her jaw-dropping vertical leap.
"I think my vertical has helped me out," she said.
"If I didn't have it I'd be in trouble, and even in more trouble in college."
Her coach points out that she is more than just an athlete, though.
"She's worked very hard to be where she's at," Langman said. "It's not only her athleticism, she has worked very, very hard at the game.
"She's had the ability to take over games this season. She can frustrate an opponent and take over a match. If she gets a certain attitude in a game, there is not a lot that is going to stop her."
Even Stony Point girl's basketball coach Danny Cage has taken notice now.
"He's been telling me to try out and play with them," Godfrey said. "All he wants me to do is jump up and grab rebounds and pass. I think it's better for me to just focus on one thing, and that's volleyball."
When Eboni Godfrey was in middle school she tried out for her school's basketball team. Surely there would be a spot for someone who has shown she can jump out of the gym. There wasn't. She didn't make the team, and says she was the only girl who didn't make the squad.
The Stony Point volleyball team is appreciative that her focus shifted to the volleyball court. The senior has led the Tigers (32-9, 11-1) to their winningest season in school history, along with capturing their first District 16-5A title.
The Tigers will play Anderson on Tuesday in their first playoff match at Pflugerville High.
"This year has been pretty amazing," said Godfrey, who has played on varsity since her freshman campaign. "It's all coming together. I think including coach (Jayson Langman), it's been a struggle for all of us."
In Godfrey's freshman season - Langman's first year as coach - the team won only five games and knew they had an uphill battle in the competitive district. Steadily, they improved each season and last year they finished 24-19, while having the program's first winning record.
"All the work is starting to pay off," Langman said. "This is a year we've been working at for four years."
The senior trio of Godfrey, Brittney Garcia and Katey Griffith has led the change.
"Our attitude has been the difference between last year and this season," Godfrey said. "You could see everyone's attitudes changing in the offseason. Everyone went 100 percent and was working harder."
In April, Godfrey verbally committed to play at North Texas. Now that she is having a standout senior season where she is averaging 5.3 kills per game, more schools are starting to look her way. She isn't backing off her commitment, however.
"Now I feel if you cut my arm open, I bleed green," she said, while estimating she owns about six Mean Green T-shirts. "I'm really excited and anxious to get up there."
As an outside hitter, ideally schools look for players that are 6-feet tall or higher, but Godfrey is 5-foot-7. She makes up the height in her jaw-dropping vertical leap.
"I think my vertical has helped me out," she said.
"If I didn't have it I'd be in trouble, and even in more trouble in college."
Her coach points out that she is more than just an athlete, though.
"She's worked very hard to be where she's at," Langman said. "It's not only her athleticism, she has worked very, very hard at the game.
"She's had the ability to take over games this season. She can frustrate an opponent and take over a match. If she gets a certain attitude in a game, there is not a lot that is going to stop her."
Even Stony Point girl's basketball coach Danny Cage has taken notice now.
"He's been telling me to try out and play with them," Godfrey said. "All he wants me to do is jump up and grab rebounds and pass. I think it's better for me to just focus on one thing, and that's volleyball."
Published in the Round Rock Leader on Oct. 30, 2010.
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