If Ozark libero Madison Reed needed confirmation she should pursue her dream of being a nurse, she received as much while being treated by doctors and nurses two years ago.
As a sophomore, Reed endured several episodes of abnormally high heart beats that were diagnosed as Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT). Her heart beat was measured as high as more than 200 beats per minute.
“The first time it happened I was at a tournament in Camdenton,” she said. “You could see my pulse beating out of my neck. I was taking deep breaths, but that wouldn't work the way my heart was wired.”
After undergoing catheter ablation in December of 2019, Reed returned to the court last year. She collected 160 digs in a backup role to help the Lady Tigers win 19 matches.
“I wasn't sure if I would be able to play volleyball again. But I came back last year full swinging,” Reed said. “It was a great comeback. I was already interested in the medical profession and now I'm even more interested. Being a traveling nurse is something I'm looking forward to.”
Reed’s catheter ablation procedure went as well as could be expected. The cells that were causing her arrhythmia were destroyed.
“They gave me four catheters, three in my leg and one in my neck,” Reed said. “I went to a cardiologist and wore a heart monitor while I was playing last year. I haven't had any issues since. I’m back to normal.
“It was scary and I was nervous,” she added. “But I had the support of friends and teammates. They helped me relax through the entire procedure. They were awesome.”
Reed also credits her teammates, more specifically former Ozark liberos, for helping her progress the past four years. She considers 2021 grad Kinsey McAllister, 2020 grads Olivia Skipworth and Meredith Avery and 2019 grads Holly Luginbill and Haiden Baade all mentors.
“All of them helped me,” Reed said. “My freshman year, Haiden took me under her wing and gave me a lot of feedback. Last year, Kinsey showed me everything because I was going to be brought up to her position. She taught me how to lead.
“It shows what kind of program this is,” she added. “We're all supporting each other and want our program to be at its best.”
Reed began her senior season as Ozark’s starting libero by posting 12 serve receptions and five digs in the Lady Tigers’ season-opening sweep of Rogers Heritage (Arkansas) last week.
“I have been working all four years to prove myself and make a name for myself,” she said. “I think I have finally broken through that point. I want to show I deserve to be in the libero jersey.”
As always, Ozark coach Adeana Brewer will have a keen eye on her libero. Brewer was a libero herself during her glory days at Winona and Missouri State.
“Having her assurance and knowing that she believes I can do this gives me more confidence that I can execute,” Reed said.
“Madison is going to do a great job,” Brewer said. “She has been waiting her turn to play and I'm super excited for her. She is a natural leader in everything we do. Those are the kind of kids you want in hard games. Those leadership skills will surface when you need them to.”
Brewer adds Reed’s experience in which she was forced to think about the possibility of never being able to play volleyball again gives her a sense of urgency to make the most of every match.
“Experiencing that made her come in with a new perspective,” Brewer said. “You don't take anything for granted. You give everything your best each day. She has embraced that mindset. She has thought, 'How can I make the most of what I can give to this program?' She has become such a valuable piece to our program.”
