The Valparaiso volleyball program has brought in a number of heralded prep performers in the past. But none of them have earned the honor that 2015 incoming freshman Katherine Carlson recently received, as Carlson was named a Second Team High School All-American by Volleyball Magazine, as presented by Mizuno. Just 24 athletes nationwide were named First or Second Team All-Americans by the publication.
The All-American honor is just the latest in a long list of accolades that Carlson will bring to campus with her next fall. The 5’11” outside hitter comes to Valpo from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in Michigan, where she was named Michigan Miss Volleyball this season as a senior. She previous earned All-American honors as a senior from MaxPreps and the AVCA, and was an Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American following her final season with the Fighting Irish.
As a junior, she helped lead Notre Dame to a state championship and was runner-up for PrepVolleyball.com Junior of the Year. Carlson was named MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year in 2012 and was a finalist for the same award at PrepVolleyball.com. She earned All-State accolades in each of her final three seasons as well.
Ironically, Carlson’s soon-to-be head coach, Carin Avery, was also named a Second Team All-American by Volleyball Magazine following her senior season of prep volleyball. Carlson will join fellow incoming freshmen Sydney Bronner and Lizzie Zaleski on the court for Valpo in 2015, hoping to help lead the Crusaders to their 14th consecutive 20-win campaign and a Horizon League championship.