AVERI CARLSON NAMED 2021-22 GATORADE NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

LUCAS, Texas, Jan. 12, 2022

Carlson was surprised with the trophy by her family, coaches and teammates at school. Check out a video of the announcement here.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Carlson as the nation's best high school volleyball player. The Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others to evaluate candidates, selected Carlson from nearly half a million other student-athletes who play high school volleyball nationwide.

Competition for the national award was fierce. Carlson topped the list of state winners in volleyball who collectively boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including nine returning state Gatorade Players of the Year, 27 with a GPA of 4.0 and above and 35 with signed National Letters of Intent to play volleyball at Division I colleges/universities.

"Averi Carlson is arguably the most versatile and efficient player in the country," said Chris Fitzgerald, a national analyst for Prepdig.com. "As a setter, she knows how to put her attackers in an optimal position to score, and her greatest strength is that her weaknesses are nearly imperceptible. She makes something extremely difficult look easy, so smooth. Carlson is a true maestro, conducting the game at her speed. She raises the level of play for everyone on her side of the net. She's a proven winner for Lovejoy, setting and playing on the pin to really showcase how dynamic her skill set has become."

The 6-foot senior setter led the Leopards to a 42-6 record and the Class 5A state championship this past season. Carlson amassed 919 assists and 378 digs along with 212 kills and 72 service aces. A First Team Under Armour All-American, she was the state championship MVP and the Dallas Morning News Player of the Year. Also a MaxPreps First Team All-American, Carlson is a member of the U.S. Women's U20 National Team and is ranked as the nation's No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2022 by PrepVolleyball.com.

Carlson has volunteered on behalf of Grace Bridge regional food bank in Celina, the Samaritan Inn homeless shelter in McKinney and the Special Olympics. An active member of Lovejoy's PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership Skills) program and the Prestonwood Baptist Church community, she has also donated her time as an upperclassman to PAWS, which assists special needs students.