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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader is recognizing Kaden Atwood as this week's Athlete of the Week. Atwood recorded 32 digs in a win against Burkburnett for the volleyball team. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Graham Leader is recognizing Tyler Bryan as this week’s Athlete of the Week. Bryan has been one of the most consistent performers on the boys team to start this season.
The fall school year has officially kicked off for the teams throughout the state which means the return of the Athlete of the Week series recognizing local students.
The Graham Leader is recognizing Kaden Atwood of the Lady Blues and Tyler Bryan of the Steers as this week's Athletes of the Week.
Kaden Atwood, Lady Blues volleyball
Coming into this season, the Lady Blues have a solid mix of veteran leadership alongside some young faces looking to make an impact, with Atwood serving as the former.
Coming into her senior season, Atwood serves the Lady Blues as a libero/defensive specialist for the team, a role that head coach Marci Faulk said she has plenty of experience with.
Faulk credits Atwood for taking on the mantle of this position throughout her entire high school career.
“In that role she runs our defense,” Faulk said. “She’s our verbal leader of our defense. She’s confident with that role, she’s comfortable in it, but with that being said there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that. It’s not an easy role for her, but she does it because it's what the team needs.”
Atwood gave off a strong first impression to her final season in the Lady Blues program.
The team opened the season Tuesday, Aug. 12, against Burkburnett and she recorded 32 digs in a five set win for the team.
The Lady Blues will continue to feed off of her versatility and leadership as the season progresses.
Tyler Bryan, Steers tennis
The Graham Steers and Lady Blues tennis teams have hit the court now for multiple weeks.
The team sits in an interesting spot with a 3-3 record after their match against Azle, with a lot of development in the works.
Tennis head coach Matt Birdwell said that while the Lady Blues side of the team is fairly solidified at the top of their rankings with returning players, the boys side lost key contributors from last season like Hayden and Barron Burrows.
“We lost our number one player, our number two player and our number four player,” Birdwell said. “So everyone has to move up two to three spots, and that’s a lot.”
Bryan started the season in the number three spot for the Steers behind Chris Reyes and Brodey Mills, however, Bryan has been a consistent performer for the team to start the season.
Bryan, alongside his partner Chris Reyes, got the boys one of their first doubles wins of the season.
He has also only lost two singles matches to start the season. His most dominant win came on Friday, Aug. 1, against Mineral Wells. He defeated his opponent 8-0 in that match.
After playing Bridgeport and Brock this past week Thursday and Friday, Aug. 14-15, the team will be back in action Thursday, Aug. 21 on the road at Glen Rose starting at 4 p.m.
