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Paityn Winters will tell you upfront – every time she steps on to the volleyball court, she’ll give 110% regardless of how the match is going. Whether she’s playing high school ball with Burleson Centennial or in club with 360, your eyes will quickly be drawn to Winters and her style of play.
She begins her junior season with the Centennial Spartans, who look to compete for a playoff spot in District 8-5A.
“College coaches should know that I’ll never give up,” Winters said. “I’m a versatile six-rotation player with a calm demeanor. I believe I would be an asset to a collegiate program both mentally and physically.
“My goal is to play at the collegiate level in a program that will help me grow as an athlete and a person.”
That’s her dream – to play at the next level and Paityn has put in the work for the past eight years.
She started to play volleyball when she was 8 years old, but back then soccer was her main priority.
It wasn’t until the summer going into freshman year when she found a new passion in volleyball.
“I love the speed of the game, the competitiveness and the peer camaraderie that comes with the game,” Winters said. “I value the bonds that I’ve created and the lessons learned through each season.”
Winters is a 5-foot 9 setter in the Class of 2025, but also has experience on the right side and at defensive specialist. She has started since her freshman year when she helped the Spartans to a playoff win and trip to the Class 5A area round. Starting in the back row, Winters ended the season with 59 assists, 26 aces and 221 digs in 98 sets played. The district coaches saw potential as she was voted to the all-district team.
One year later and she elevated her game.
Despite season long struggles from Centennial, Winters ended on the District 8-5A second team. Her coaches also named her Offensive MVP for the team after finishing with 642 assists, 270 digs, 162 kills and 37 aces in 130 sets played. She averaged five assists per set and among the nine teams in district, she produced the fifth most assists.
Winters was also named to the All-Johnson County team by the Cleburne Times Review.
Another year went by and naturally, Paityn took her game to another level during the club season this summer. Winters and her team 360 Volleyball Club HP Elite 16 had an excellent showing in July and because of her play, Paityn was voted to the Girls Junior National Championship All-tournament team.
Even her most memorable moment came during the tournament.
“We had lost several players mainly due to injuries and were limping to the finish line, at best. We were patched together like a quilt, and fought and played for each other like I have never seen before,” she said. “In that moment, we forged bonds that I truly feel will be life-long. This to me defined what a true TEAM is all about. I was honored to be named to the GJNC All Tournament Team. It’s something I do not take lightly. I am truly grateful.
“Regardless of the situation or the adversities you face, you can ALWAYS pull through and prevail.”
Moving forward this fall, Centennial returns all but two players.
Winters will contend for setter of the year or utility MVP in district.
Under new coach Stephanie Smith, Winters will most likely run a 5-1 offense, but if the Spartans need more weapons on the outside, they’ll go to a 6-2 and Paityn will see a few kill opportunities.
“You can expect the unexpected. I think we will surprise a lot of people,” she said. “We know we are coming in as an underdog. We are coming off a tough year, but we have a strong group of determined and dedicated players and I think we are going to surprise a lot of people.
“Being the underdog isn’t always a bad thing. This is going to be a fun and memorable season.”
Winters is team captain for both her high school and club team, and she sports an impressive 4.25 GPA in the classroom.
YOU CAN CHECK PAITYN’S HIGHLIGHTS HERE https://www.paitynwinters.com/highlights-1
CHECK OUT HER RECRUITING WEBSITE https://www.paitynwinters.com/
TWITTER @paitynwinters
