It’s a volleyball game night at Kingwood High School, which has long been one of the Houston area’s powerhouse programs, rich in history and talent.
Senior Carly Thomas has carried on that tradition. Carly, who has signed on to play at the University of Rhode Island next year, recently became the all-time assists leader at Kingwood.
“It means a lot,” Carly told KPRC 2 Sports Director Randy McIlvoy. “They surprised me and didn’t know and I owe it all to my teammates and I wouldn’t be here without them.”
While Carly is finishing her career, her home games have become extra special because of the voice that echoes throughout the Kingwood gym during home matches. That voice may be familiar to Houston sports fans because it belongs to Matt Thomas, a Sportstalk 790 host and the radio voice of the Houston Rockets.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Thomas told McIlvoy before a recent game. “I was apprehensive about doing it to begin with. She came up two years ago and asked if I could announce it like they do at college games.”
Carly’s dad happily agreed and the rest is history.
“It’s so cool that he’s a part of every home game with me through his announcing and my mom is there too to support me. A lot of parents are there just to watch but he’s there every home game announcing courtside and I love it.”
Watching it all unfold from her seat in the stands is also special to Carly’s mother.
“She has grown so much as a player and as a person,” Kimberly Thomas told McIlvoy. “She has worked so hard and we have supported her in every way that we can but she’s done all of the work herself.”
Carly’s final home match was celebrated during Senior Night last week. Every step of the way in her volleyball career, her parents have been there to cheer her on
Carly added, “The times I’ve come home crying and maybe I’ve had a bad practice and I can say that they are always there for support and I don’t know where I would be without them.”