Kari ’29 Named 2025 AVCA High School National Player of the Year Finalist

The Lovett School’s Kari ’29 has been named a finalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year Award. Kari's success on the court is unprecedented, being the first freshman and first Georgia volleyball player to be named a finalist for the award. 

"I am so proud of Kari," said Cheryl Weaver, Varsity Head Volleyball Coach. "To be named Volleyball Player of the Year finalist as a freshman is something the AVCA has never seen, and she did it through steady work, humility, and heart. She showed up every day ready to learn and ready to compete. This honor reflects the way she carries herself on and off the court. She earned it in every way."

This finalist recognition adds to what has been an extraordinary season for Kari. Nationally, she was named an AVCA All-American, an AVCA All-Region team member, and the AVCA Southwest Region Player of the Year. Volleyball Adrenaline ranked Kari the number one player in its top 200 for 2025. Across the state of Georgia, Kari was named the GVCA 2A State Player of the Year, MVP of the state finals, a member of the All-State and All-Region teams, and Region Co-Player of the Year.

Kari’s production this season backed up her extensive list of awards. Kari led Georgia volleyball players across all classifications with 631 kills this season, averaging 6.5 per set with a .501 hitting percentage. Her 631 kills were 76 more than the second-most kills by any player in the state of Georgia. 

“Her ceiling is crazy,” Coach Weaver said following the state championship game. “She is a once-in-a-generation player, and I mean it is just so fun to coach her because you don’t know what her ceiling is going to be. She’s doing things right now that show she can step on any D1 team right now.”

Kari entered the season following international success with USA Volleyball, where she won Gold at the Pan-American Cup. At just 14 years old, Kari was the youngest member of the U19 USA Volleyball team, earning the MVP award and being named the Best Spiker.

Despite all of the success this season, Kari has set her sights on her next challenge, the 2028 Olympics. After winning the state championship in October, Kari talked about her next goal, saying, “I am working to get on the U19 FIVB team and then the Olympics after that.”

Kari, along with the other three finalists for the AVCA National Player of the Year Award, has been invited to the AVCA Convention on December 19, where they will be recognized for their outstanding achievements this season.