Khalia Lanier named 2015-16 Gatorade National Volleyball POY. (Photo: Gatorade)
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) senior outside hitter Khalia Lanier was today named the 2015-16 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 standout recorded 496 kills, 324 digs and 28 service aces while posting a kill percentage of .438 and leading the Gators (34-8) to the Division I state final this past season. A 2015 Under Armour First Team All-American as named by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the nation’s No. 1 recruit as rated by PrepVolleyball.com, Lanier was a member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Volleyball Team, leading a squad of elite prep players to the 2015 FIVB Girls’ U18 World Championship final in Peru last summer.
Lanier, 17, was presented with the award by London Olympics silver medalist and 2015 AVP Beach Volleyball champion, April Ross, a USC graduate. We sat down with Lanier to better understand how she outshined a half-million high school volleyball athletes nationwide to win the award.
Q: First things first: Your dad is an NBA Hall of Famer and pretty much the first thing anybody talks about is his size 22 sneakers. Let’s have it: What size do you wear?
A: Size 13, women’s.
Q: You’ve opened up about how volleyball allowed you to emerge from the shadow of an NBA Hall of Fame father. You’ve also spoken about how his past success imposed a lot of pressure, but his wisdom provided mental preparation. How does that all shake out now?
A: It’s bitter-sweet. I feel like now I have a chance to surpass him in a way. I don’t mean go to the volleyball Hall of Fame, although that would be awesome. I mean that I’ve reaped benefits of everything he’s given me athletically and competitively, now I can kind of put his success in my past and make my own way in my own career.
Q: Your future alma mater USC is one of four No. 1 seeds in the ongoing NCAA tournament and play in the third round tomorrow night. Do they win it all?
A: For sure. Right on. Kidding aside, they definitely have a chance to. Their offense is so fast and I’m actually working right now on getting up to speed on that. I’m rooting for them.
Q: People say travel is education. When you traveled to Lima, Peru with USA Volleyball, where you surprised at how modern and cosmopolitan Peru’s capital is?
A: Yes. I kind of reminded me of Times Square but in a different country. Traveling really is education and Africa and Peru and to see how different cultures appreciate different sports. In Peru, there are a lot of advocates for women’s volleyball. To have little kids treat you like a celebrity when you’re just doing something you love is pretty amazing.
Q: At FIVB world championships, you saw the potential of your individual conduct and success upon fans and you just mentioned that it showed you how far-reaching your impact can be just by just doing your thing. Will that always stay with you?
A: Specifically to volleyball, I’ve really learned a lot about seeing things from other people’s perspective on the court and how seeing volleyball through their eyes might allow you to help or be a positive influence.
Q: You went to three state finals in high school and went 1-2. What’s your No. 1 takeaway from that incredible but not perfect run?
A: I just have to let go of it. I can’t hold a grudge. My best wasn’t good enough. You have to move on.
Q: You led the team in kills in your first game freshman year, yet you’ve said you used to cry all the time as a freshman. In one word, what’s the biggest difference between you then and now?
A: I don’t sweat the small stuff as much. Eight words.
Q: April Ross won this award more than 15 years ago and just presented you with the same trophy. She’s the perfect example of a player who has exceeded expectations. What do take away from that moment today?
A: She’s so cool and I’m kind of obsessed with USC and I wish she played there now because we would be best friends on the team. What she said about winning this award being a launching point for her really hit home.
