Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times & Observer: Madison Furtado

Madison “Maddie” Furtado has been a student at CFCA for 13 years. For nine of those, she has been on one of the Eagles’ volleyball teams. A standout setter for the varsity team, Furtado is a senior this fall and is a playmaker and a role model for a young team playing under a new coach in Catie Schluter. Furtado, who plays club volleyball for Orlando Tampa Volleyball Academy, has high hopes of continuing her career in college.

After being in the program for nearly a decade, what’s it like to be a senior?

I definitely feel like I get a little bit more opportunities and definitely being a leader and teaching my teammates how to play and just being a big sister.

Which game so far this season has been the most memorable?

Definitely the Real Life (Christian Academy) game (3-2 win, Aug. 30). One of my old teammates plays for Real Life, so it was a big thing, and I really wanted to beat them. It was great, we had fun and played really well.

What’s the coolest place you’ve traveled for volleyball?

I’d have to say Washington, D.C. It was fun playing, but it was also fun bonding with my teammates and going to see the White House. That was in 2016.

What are your career goals?

I want to be a nurse, but I also want to be in the Army. After college, I want to graduate with my nursing degree and enlist as an officer.

Where does the call to serve come from for you?

My grandpa (James Furtado) and my dad (David Furtado) were in the Army. My dad really inspires me, and I really want to be just like him.

What do you enjoy about playing for first-year coach Catie Schluter?

I love that she, in practice, she’ll always do what we do. It makes us feel like, “If Coach is doing it, I can do it.” She’s very relatable, and we have lots of team-bonding moments.

What’s your favorite part about going to school at CFCA?

Definitely the teachers — you connect on a personal level.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I have a job outside of school. I also love ice skating — I used to take lessons when I was little. That’s one of my favorite things to do outside of volleyball.

How important to you is your faith?

Faith is definitely a huge part of my life. I had a lot of hard times when my dad was deployed  and I definitely had to lean on God. … I’m part of the praise team (at CFCA), and I do everything I can to have God as part of my life.