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BEST IN THE BUSINESS: Byron Nelson prodigy Peterson claims Gatorade’s premier national award
Thursday, that influence earned her national recognition: the junior setter was named the 2025-2026 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, selected from more than half a million candidates.
The Texas A&M-commit is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier setters — a fact Byron Nelson head coach Brianne Groth highlighted after the Bobcats claimed their second consecutive UIL 6A Division I state title last November. Byron Nelson swept Dawson to finish a perfect 42-0 season, with Peterson at the center of it all.
Photo taken by: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The moment carried extra significance when three-time Olympic medalist and former Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year April Ross surprised Peterson at school, presenting the award in front of her teammates, family, and friends.
Watching her on the court, the distinction is easy to understand. Peterson’s technique, court vision, and relentless energy make her the linchpin of a program. She orchestrates the offense with precision, feeding top-tier talent like Washington-bound Kylie Kleckner and Rice signee Ashlyn “AJ” Seay.
In 2025, Peterson totaled nearly 1,500 assists and 300 digs, cementing Byron Nelson’s status as the indisputable No. 1 team in the country. More than stats, her leadership, poise, and intensity set the tone for the team.
For Peterson, the award is recognition — but also a reminder: she’s not just running the court, she’s setting the standard.
Lovejoy setter, Averi Carlson, named Gatorade National Player of the Year
Carlson was recently named at the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year and became the Gatorade National Player of the Year on Tuesday when she was invited to the school for what she thought was going to be an interview about being the Gatorade Texas Player of the Year.
Lovejoy ISD (@lovejoyisd1)
Carlson, a four-time All-American, certainly deserves the award as she has posted quite the career with the Lovejoy Volleyball team. During her career with Lovejoy, Carlson recorded over 4,480 assists. The setter has helped lead the Leopards to three-straight state titles including during the 2021 season where she was named the MVP of the Class 5A State Championship match. During the 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-20) victory over Grapevine in the state title match, Carlson posted 10 kills, 16 assists, and 10 digs.
Shana Willeford (VYPE Media)
Carlson, who graduated from Lovejoy early and will be attending Baylor this Spring semester where she will also get rolling on practice with the Bears' volleyball team, is the first Dallas-area volleyball player to ever win the national player of the year and the second-ever from Texas after Katy Seven Lakes' Ally Batenhorst won the award just last season!
The Gatorade National Player of the Year award recognizesthe nation's most outstanding athlete on academic achievements, athletic excellence, community involvement, and outstanding character. The award has been handed out since 1995!
The Lovejoy Leopard volleyball instagram posted about the accomplishment on Wednesday: