Averi Carlson of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, TX is the 2021-22 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year.
Averi Carlson is not waiting to get her college career off to a fast start. There will be no second semester senior ditch days for Carlson who is already off to Baylor after graduating from Lovejoy High School in Lucas, TX in December.
“I wanted to go ahead and get started in the program and get a semester in before the season actually started,” Carlson told FanSided. “They said it would be best for me.”
Among the many traits Carlson possesses being coachable is one of them. There is also a relentless work ethic and drive that doesn’t seem to have an off switch.
Gatorade National Player of the Year, Averi Carlson, should be a future Olympian
“To get where I am today I took in as much as I can,” Carlson said. “Using practice, every touch can make you better.”
That “every touch” philosophy helped Carlson earn the Gatorade National Player of the Year. She was dominant on the court becoming a four-time All-American setter while leading Lovejoy to three state championships. Carlson was dominant in the classroom as well posting a 3.98 GPA.
Even with all her success, the Gatorade national recognition caught Carlson off guard.
“It feels so crazy I have no words, it’s insane,” Carlson beamed.
Carlson could one day be an Olympic medal winner. She is a member of the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team and has traveled overseas to Belgium and the Netherlands.
“Playing for the USA team it was a lot different,” Carlson said. “We were playing so many different countries. There were times where I was like these girls are insane so good but it is just really fun to play against them.”
The dream for Carlson is to continue playing volleyball after college. The confidence that she can do it is growing.
“I think I was 16’s in club, I was like wow I could really maybe even go past college if I really put my mind to it but I’ve always had the dream since I was starting volleyball,” Carlson said. “I want to play in college seeing all the girls on TV playing I’m like I want to do that.”
Carlson putting her mind to it is about as safe a bet there is.