Chuckey-Doak graduate and former volleyball libero Cristen Bishop was joined by teammates, friends, family, and coaches on Monday afternoon as she signed to continue her volleyball career at Dyersburg State Community College.
“It feels really good. I’m really excited for this new chapter,” Bishop said.
It was a packed cafeteria inside of Chuckey-Doak High School to watch Bishop extend her career to the collegiate ranks. While Chuckey-Doak volleyball is currently hosting a kid’s camp, all of her former teammates and coaches stayed after to support her in her new venture.
Bishop described her excitement of getting to play at the next level in the near future. “I’m so excited. I’m just so blessed I even get to go to the next level. Not a lot of people get to do that,” she mentioned.
Bishop left her mark on Chuckey-Doak’s program by helping Chuckey-Doak reach the State Tournament for the first time in the program’s history as one of the senior leaders. After her last game on the floor at Rockvale High School, Bishop’s future in volleyball was uncertain. That uncertainty was erased when she put pen to paper and extended her career to the higher ranks of the collegiate level.
She has played volleyball since the sixth grade and fell in love with the sport due to the adrenaline rush she feels on the court. Bishop played libero in high school and plans to stick with the libero position in college.
Bishop will travel more than six hours across the state to attend Dyersburg State Community College. The Eagles are located in Dyersburg, Tennessee. They compete in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association (TCCAA). Madelyn Woods is the Head Coach of the volleyball program.
Reflecting on her time with Chuckey-Doak’s volleyball program she credited coach Marissa Snapp with helping her become the player she is today. “I just love her. She’s really helped me as a player and a person,” Bishop said.
Cristen plans to major in elementary education and become an elementary school teacher one day. “I just love kids and think it would be a good job and make me happy,” she said.
