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7 Gatorade National Volleyball Player Award Winners:
Where Are They Now?

Be Inspired By These National Gatorade Award Winners Discover What They Are Doing Now 


Who will the 2018 Gatorade Player award winner be this year? 

Meet Thayer Hall, 2017 - 18 Gatorade National Player of the Year


Arguably one of the three 'top of the top' national sports awards a female volleyball player can win, the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year award recognizes the country's best girls high school volleyball player for "outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court."

How Are Gatorade National Volleyball Player Award Winners Selected? 


A national advisory panel made up of sport-specific experts and sports journalists choose from the half million girls high school volleyball players nationwide.

Every year the Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes one winner in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) in each of the following high school sports: football, girls volleyball, male and female cross country, male and female basketball, male and female soccer, baseball, softball and boys and girls track and field. 

After the state winners are names then one Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year award winner is announced in each sport. 

Once you win for your sport, all the national winners in each sports category (see the list of sports above) become finalists for the ultimate Gatorade Female or Male High School Athlete of the Year award which is usually presented at a special ceremony the evening before The ESPY Awards in midsummer.  

"The selection process is administered by ESPN RISE and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport."

Source: Gatorade Player of the Year

2016 Gatorade National Volleyball Player

Lexi Sun


Watch what happens when Lexi is presented with the Gatorade Award




According to Gatorade, Lexi Sun is "explosive, dynamic and dominant. Lexi has risen to become the best. And through her athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character, she’s earned the 2016-2017 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year. "

Source: Gatorade POY

Volleyball Quotes: What Others Say About Lexi


"At least one Pac-12 coach commented that Lexi Sun could have started for him when she was in eighth grade" 

"She hit extreme angles with no fear and was an intimidating blocker even then. The ensuing years have seen her add strong serving and determined back row play to her repertoire. Together with her always-improving hitting and blocking game, Sun now is truly terrifying for any opponent to face, even on an international stage. She will take the college world by storm."

Source: John Tawa, Publisher of PrepVolleyball.com.

Where Are They Now?




Lexi Sun played her freshman collegiate season for the Texas Longhorns. 

She has transferred and will spend her 2018-19 sophomore season playing for the 2017 NCAA champion Nebraska Cornhuskers. 

Watch Lexi's highlights in a Big 12 Conference match between Texas and Kansas State. 



2015 Gatorade National Volleyball Player

Khalia Lanier

Watch how Khalia is presented with the Gatorade National Volleyball Award


Here's what Gatorade says about Khalia Lanier:

"Before Khalia Lanier ever set foot on the volleyball court, she knew she had big shoes to fill. It was in her blood to become a great athlete. So with her father as her inspiration, she worked to get better every single day.

Greatness isn’t just talent. Greatness is dedication. 

It’s athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character. 

Congrats to Khalia Lanier, the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year."

Source: Gatorade POY

Volleyball Quotes: Watch What Others Say About Khalia


"Khalia embodies everything we look for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient," 

"In addition to being one of the best high school volleyball players in the country, Khalia has excelled in the classroom and been a positive influence in her community. She is a role model for younger student-athletes to look up to and we are excited to see all the things she will accomplish in the future."

-Gatorade Chief Marketing Officer Morgan Flatley

Source: The Gatorade Company


"Khalia Lanier has been a star on the court since she led the Gators in kills the first match of her freshman year," 

"Physically imposing on attack, she packs a punch few can match and has the intelligence and vision to make opponents pay in myriad ways. 

Her ability to score combined with a deft passing touch made her the consensus top recruit in the country. She played like it this past fall, fighting through an ankle injury to lead the nationally ranked Gators to the Arizona Division I final. In her four years, Lanier's teams averaged 35 wins per season and won a state title, and she was the principal reason why."

Source: John Tawa, managing editor of PrepVolleyball.com

Where Is Khalia Now?


Khalia enters her third year at the University of Southern California.


2014 Gatorade National Volleyball Player


Mikaela Foeke


Watch What Happens When Mikaela
 is presented with the Gatorade Award


Here's what Gatorade says about Mikaela:

"Without question, Mikaela is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the field and the impact her accomplishments have had on Holy Trinity Catholic's success," 

"But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

-Gatorade Vice President, Brand Marketing Morgan Flatley

Source: The Gatorade Company

Volleyball Quotes: What Others Say About Mikaela


"In a state currently top heavy with elite volleyball talent, Foecke has been without peer for at least the past two years," 

"Though she plays 'small-school ball,' she's a big-time performer, possessing the arm swing and power to dominate anywhere along the net, as well as the agility of a libero in a 6-3 body. Foecke can score against anyone at any time and could be a [collegiate] All-America performer early."

-John Tawa, Publisher of PrepVolleyball.com. 


"Without question, Mikaela is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the field and the impact her accomplishments have had on Holy Trinity Catholic's success," 

"But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

-Morgan Flatley, Gatorade Vice President, Brand Marketing



Where is she now? 


Mikaela is a junior at the University of Nebraska where she just won her second NCAA championship title during the 2017-18 season.

Her first was during her freshman year in 2015 as an outside hitter for the Cornhuskers. 


2013 Gatorade National Volleyball Player

Alexa Filley

Watch How Alexa Receives the Gatorade Award



Here's what others says about  Alexa: 

"Alexa Filley is a superior athlete and wonderfully skilled," 

"But since her mid-teens, what's struck me is how hittable a ball she sets and how she commands the court. The confidence she exudes remains her calling card to this day. A four-time state champion as a high school starter, Filley always betters the ball. She doesn't draw a lot of attention to herself, but the wins she produces speak to her impact."

-John Tawa, publisher of PrepVolleyball.com.


"Without question, Alexa is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the field and the impact her accomplishments have had on Assumption's success," 

"But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

-Brand Marketing Morgan Flatley, Gatorade Vice President

Source: The Gatorade Company

Where is she now? 


Alexa stars on the court this season, her senior year for the Auburn Tigers.



2012 Gatorade National Volleyball Player

Lauren Carlini

Watch When Lauren is presented with the Gatorade Award





Here's what others says about Lauren:


"Lauren Carlini has a presence on the floor that is beyond compare," 

said Christine Scheibe, head coach at Joliet Catholic Academy, who coached 2007-08 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year Kelly Murphy. 


"Not only is she an excellent setter, she can also hit, block and serve better than most players. Her versatility is what sets her apart from other players."

-Christine Scheibe, head coach at Joliet Catholic Academy

"Without question, Lauren is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the court and the impact her accomplishments have had on West Aurora's success," 

"But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

-Morgan Flatley, Gatorade Vice President, Brand Marketing 

Source: The Gatorade Company



Lauren Carlini: 2012-13 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year from Gatorade Player of the Year on Vimeo.



Where Is She Now? 


Lauren Carlini completed four outstanding years at the University of Wisconsin.

As a Badger she won more awards and accolades than any other player in Wisconsin volleyball history.



Lauren is a USA Volleyball National Team member. She is also now playing professionally in Italy. 



Jordan Burgess

2011 Gatorade National Player of the Year

Volleyball Video: Watch When Jordan is awarded with the Gatorade Award



What Do Others Says About Jordan 


Here's what others say about Jordan:

"Burgess is one of the best players I've seen in a long time," 

"She is a powerful and smart hitter in the front row with excellent mechanics. She is equally good attacking from the back row and it's very hard for teams to stop her. She passes beautifully and can play great defense as well.  She is a joy to watch and the best player in the gym. She is the complete package."

Source: ESPNHS Volleyball Editor Kirstin Olsen




"Without question, Jordan is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the court and the impact her accomplishments have had on Berkeley's success," 

"But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

Source: Sarah Robb O'Hagan, Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer 


Where Are They Now? 


Jordan Burgess completed four years at Stanford University





Krista Vansant

Watch when Krista is awarded with the Gatorade Award

2010 Gatorade National Volleyball Player







Source: The Gatorade Company


Where Are They Now? 


Krista's jersey was retired November 2017. 

Krista is a professional volleyball athlete playing for Volero Volleyball Club in Zurich Switzerland for the past two years. 


Watch as Krista Vansant and USA Volleyball teammate two-time Olympian Foluke Akinradewo as they talk about playing together and volleyball life in Europe.  

Source

VolleyVerse

Olivier Winistorfer

Volleyball Quotes: What Others Say About Krista


“No player in California drew more focus than Vansant did, yet she was able to consistently defeat double and triple blocks to help her team win,” said PrepVolleyball.com Publisher John Tawa.

“Facing a talent deficit against most other elite Southern California teams, Redlands East Valley rode Vansant’s big right arm and unyielding desire to the CIF Southern Section 1A finals, then pulled off the upset of the playoffs by upending then-national-top-10 La Costa Canyon on the road in the Southern California regionals.”

Source: John Tawa, PrepVolleyball.com


“Without question, Krista is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the court and the impact her accomplishments have had on Redland East Valley’s success.” 

“But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

Source: Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing Jennifer Storms, Gatorade


All Time Gatorade National Players of the Year


  • 2016-17   Lexi Sun, Santa Fe Christian, Solana Beach, CA 
  • 2015-16   Khalia Lanier Xavier College Prep, Phoenix, AZ
  • 2014-15   Mikaela Foecke Holy Trinity Catholic, Fort Madison, IA 
  • 2013-14   Alexa Filley Assumption, Louisville, KY 
  • 2012-13   Lauren Carlini West Aurora, West Aurora, IL 
  • 2011-12   Jordan Burgess Berkeley Preparatory, Tampa, FL 
  • 2010-11   Krista Vansant Redlands East Valley, Redlands, CA 
  • 2009-10    Ashley Wittman Shakopee, Shakopee, MN 
  • 2008-09   Gina Mancuso Papillion-La Vista, Papillion, NE 
  • 2007-08    Kelly Murphy Joliet Catholic Academy, Joliet, IL 
  • 2006-07   Alix Klineman Mira Costa, Manhattan Beach, CA 
  • 2005-06   Megan Hodge Riverside, Durham, NC 
  • 2004-05   Cynthia Barboza Wilson Classical, Long Beach, CA
  • 2003-04   Cynthia Barboza Wilson Classical, Long Beach, CA 
  • 2002-03   Kristin Richards Timpanogos, Orem, UT 
  • 2001-02   Bre Ladd Canyon Del Oro, Tucson, AZ 
  • 2000-01   Ogonna Nnamani University, Normal, IL 
  • 1999-00   April Ross Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, CA 
  • 1998-99   Logan Tom Highland, Salt Lake City, UT 
  • 1997-98   Sara Sandrik Pelham, Pelham, AL  
  • 1996-97   Denise Boylan Benet Academy, Lisle, IL 
  • 1995-96   Kerri Walsh Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, CA 


Related Links:


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