For a list of the other Gatorade State Volleyball POYs, click here.

THE WINNER: Leah Lawrence

THE BASICS

School: Covenant Christian Academy (Huntsville, Ala.)
Grade: Senior
Position: MB
Height: 6-foot-3

Athletic achievement: She slammed 415 kills, 246 digs, 205 blocks and 92 service aces this past season, leading the Falcons (28-13) to a fifth-place finish at the National Christian HomeSchool Volleyball Championships. A National Christian HomeSchool Volleyball All-American, Lawrence compiled a .407 hitting percentage and .577 kill percentage. She won three bronze medals in four years as a participant in USA Volleyball’s High Performance Program, capturing Women’s International Junior All-Tournament Team honors at this past summer’s indoor championships.

Academic excellence: Lawrence has maintained a 4.03 weighted GPA, scored a 32 on her ACT and is dually enrolled at Calhoun Community College.

Exemplary character: In addition to donating her time as a youth volleyball instructor, she has volunteered locally on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inside-Out Ministries, Manna House, Project Sweat and Operation Christmas Child.

THE PRAISE

“Leah is a dominant middle hitter, blocker, and passer,” said Covenant Christian Academy head coach Terry Abel. “Since her sophomore year, she has participated in numerous High Performance camps with USA Volleyball and has been rated 34th in the nation for high school graduates. This year’s school season was no different, as Leah led the team in offense, providing numerous kills and blocks each set, as well as playing back row and demonstrating solid defense, not often seen with a tall front-row player.”

THE FUTURE: Lawrence has signed with Alabama.