2025-26 ncvbca PLAYER OF THE yEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

RALIEGH, NC (November 17, 2025) – Congratulations to the 2025-26 NCVBCA Player of the Year awards recipients - by school classification! This award represents the pinnacle of individual achievement for a student-athlete in North Carolina high school volleyball. It honors exceptional leadership, sportsmanship, superior volleyball skills, academic achievement, and a strong work ethic—nominated and selected by NCVBCA varsity head coaches.

To qualify for consideration, a student-athlete must be nominated by a NCVBCA/AVCA varsity member head coach, and have received NCVBCA All-Region and All-State honors for the 2025-26 season. must be a NCVBCA/AVCA member, as well as have a successful record for the 2025-26 season.  In addition, relative to the talent level in their school classification, the athlete should portray:

• Leadership – makes teammates better and elevates team performance
• Positive Attitude – shows respect to teammates, coaches, officials, and opponents
• Superior Skills – excels in multiple aspects of the game (passing, hitting, serving, defense, serve receive)
• Academic Achievement – maintains strong performance in the classroom
• Work Ethic – consistently works hard in the gym

Congratulations to the athletes recognized!!

• Class 1A – Maggie Penn, Falls Lake Academy
• Class 2A – Kaydee Hunter, Perquimans County High School
• Class 3A – Jansley Page, Wallace-Rose Hill High School
• Class 4A – Bailey Blackmon, Southwestern Randolph
• Class 5A – Emily Gambill, Hickory High School
• Class 6A – Emma Pastusic, Watauga High School
• Class 7A – Genevieve Harris, Cardinal Gibbons High School
• Class 8A – Lindley Miller, Green Level High School

• Download the 2025-26 NCVBCA Player and Coach of the Year Awards Announcement (PDF). 
• View 2025-26 NCVBCA All-State Teams and 2025-26 NCVBCA Coach of the Year awards.

graphics for social media

Right click on each Player of the Year award recipient's graphic below to share on your social media.

NCVBCA PLAYER of the Year - previous years

• Class 1A - Morgan Yoder, Polk County High School: Morgan Yoder is 6'0" senior at Polk County High School.  She is a middle blocker, and is committed to play at Mars Hill University. Her coach writes, "Morgan is a dominating leader in our conference and 1A West, leading in both hitting % and kills. Her force at the net is tough and she is deserving of this honor."  Morgan is also this year's 1A NCHSAA Volleyball MVP and state champion.
• Class 2A - Lainy Evans, Ayden-Grifton High School: Lainy Evans is a 6'0" junior at Ayden-Grifton High School. She is a right side hitter.  Lainy was also named to the 2024 AVCA Phenom Preseason Watch List, 2024-25 NCVBCA Preseason Watch List and 2024-25 NCVBCA All-State.
• Class 3A - Emma  Bryson, West Henderson High School: Emma Bryson is a 6'3" senior at West Henderson High School.  She is a middle blocker, committed to play college volleyball at Georgia.  Emma was also named to the 2023-25 and 2024-25 NCVBCA Preseason Watch List and All-State, and 2024 3A NCHSAA Volleyball MVP.
• Class 4A - Genevieve Harris, Cardinal Gibbons High School: Genevieve Harris is a 5'10" senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School.  She is a setter, and committed to play college volleyball at Texas.  Her other awards include U19 National Team member, winner of 2024 NORCECA championship, and Conference Player of the Year (Cap-6).  Genevieve also received the 2024 4A NCHSAA Volleyball MVP award.

• Class 1A - Daven Brabble, Perquimans County High School
• Class 2A - Carlyn Tanis, Camden County High School
• Class 3A - Meile Songaila, Kings Mountain High School
• Class 4A - Sally Perez, Middle Creek High School

2022-23 PlayerS of the Year

2021-22 Player of the Year - *unavailable

2020-21 PlayerS of the Year

2019 ncvbca pLAYER OF THE yEAR

•  Jade Demps, Broughton High School

2018 NCVBCA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• Jade Demps, Broughton High School