There was a significant change in the Craig girls’ volleyball program for the 2022 season. After the 2021 season last year, they bid a sad goodbye to their seven graduating seniors as well as their coach.

Around spring last year, head coach Blake Budrow announced his resignation from the position he held for 31 years.  

He made a huge impact on the volleyball community.  Program director Emily Collas was coached by Budrow when she was in high school. 

She gave credit for the kind of coach she is today.  “Budrow has been my coaching mentor throughout my entire club coaching experience.  The biggest thing I have learned from him is to go with my gut and believe in my decisions”. 

She has been enjoying her first season with Craig and is looking forward to having a strong volleyball community with all levels of girls.  

So far, the Cougars are 4-2 in the Big 8 Conference.  The team played Verona on September 20th and Madison West on September 22nd. 

After an undefeated season and winning against their rival team, Parker, the girls took their first two falls.  They strive to get their winning streak back after the first losses.  

After the game against Madison West, senior Taia Hodgkinson said, “All we need to do is to keep up with our hard work.  This year we have been talking about bettering the ball with each contact which I think is a very important thought strategy for us to be successful in our upcoming games!” 

The team looks forward to games against Madison East on September 28th  and Waterford on September 29th.