Kaylon Cantrell’s connection to Faulkner University runs deep. Her parents, Angela and Keith, both graduated from Alabama Christian College, and her brothers, Ryan and Corey, also earned degrees from Faulkner. For Cantrell, attending a small Christian high school made Faulkner feel like the perfect fit. “I was given the opportunity to play volleyball in 2006-2007, so that really sealed the deal,” she said.
Reflecting on her time as a student-athlete, Cantrell shared one of her standout experiences came during her freshman year when the volleyball team traveled to Minnesota for a tournament. “We got to fly, so that made the experience even more exciting,” she said. “We went to the Mall of America, played great competitive volleyball, and it was just an all-around fun trip with the team.”
Being a college athlete was a rewarding experience for Cantrell, teaching her valuable life lessons and helping her form lasting friendships. “I learned so much about myself and made friends that I still keep in touch with to this day,” she said. “I’ve even had the opportunity to coach against some of them, which has been a neat way to stay connected and catch up.”
Cantrell also fondly recalled her role as a Jamboree Hostess during her freshman year. As a Math Education major, she had a special connection with the Math Department. “A memorable moment was when Mrs. Paulk invited our Calculus 2 class to her house for a party. It felt like we were a family!”
Cantrell’s hard work was recognized when she was honored with the Math Award for the 2010-2011 academic year. She graduated with a degree in Math Education in May 2011.
After college, she began her teaching career at Prattville Christian Academy (PCA), where she also became the head volleyball coach. “I’ve been at PCA for 14 years and love it,” she said. “We’ve been fortunate to win two volleyball state championships—2022 in class 3A and 2024 in class 4A. I also coach tennis in the spring.” In 2024, Cantrell was named the AL.com 4A All-State Coach of the Year.
Cantrell’s connection to Faulkner remains strong. “As a kid, we would come to watch basketball games at Faulkner as a family. We enjoy coming back now to watch basketball and volleyball games,” she said. “I’ve had a few of my PCA players commit to play volleyball or basketball at Faulkner, so that has been special to me as well—getting to watch them play at my alma mater. I am thankful for my time at Faulkner. It was a great college experience!”
