We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Carson Caraway.

***

Carson Caraway had no background in sports when her friend came to her nearly six years ago and asked if she wanted to play volleyball. Thinking it would be something fun to do, Caraway said yes. Fast forward to now, and the 6-2, 4-star outside is an up-and-comer in the Class of 2027.

“I was never really a big sports person,” Caraway said. “I was not athletic. That I started volleyball was a shocker to my parents.”

Caraway is coming off a varsity season at Jackson Academy in which she lifted the Raiders to their fifth consecutive MAIS Division 1 state championship. The freshman racked up a team-leading 481 kills, averaging 3.6 per set and ending up with the fourth-most winners in the state of Mississippi. She also led the way in aces with 115 and was third in digs with 291.

“This year was insane, it was so crazy,” Caraway said. “Just being on varsity there is some sort of pressure. All my teammates, all the seniors, they are super supportive. Playing with older girls on that sort of level, I’ve never experienced that type of pressure and atmosphere. It was so fun. It was such a great experience.”

It was a giant leap forward from her contributions and role last year as an eighth-grader on varsity when she finished fifth in kills with 92. She nearly had half that total in her two best matches this past fall, one of which featured a season-best 24 kills in a victory over Lamar in mid-September.

“It was definitely my confidence in myself,” Caraway said about the biggest difference from last season to this one. “As an eighth-grader I was really timid and really shy. I tried to make an impact on the team but I was scared being with girls older than me. The experience of last year, having went through it already, the girls are all so nice it was a lot easier to be confident and help my team.”

The club season started to pick up for Caraway this past weekend. Her and her Infinity VBA 15 Open teammates participated in their first tournament of the season when they traveled to the Blastoff in New Orleans. There, they went 7-2 and finished tied for third.

“I’m so excited to play with my team,” Caraway said. “I can tell from our first couple of practices that they all want to play and all want to win. I think we are going to be a lot more competitive. I’m so excited.”

In between high school and club, Caraway was among those who participated in the first-ever The Red Hat Games last month in Dallas. She said it was something she’s never experienced before.

“The event was absolutely insane,” she said. “Being surrounded by all those girls who were so good. There was not one girl there who couldn’t play volleyball. They were all so nice and there was incredible talent. Being in the gym with them was such a great opportunity.”

Among Caraway’s future goals are to one season earn the Gatorade State Player of the Year and continue on playing at the Division 1 level in college. Another aim for her is to help put Mississippi volleyball on the map.

“I know compared to Texas and California, it isn’t out there like that yet,” she said. “I would love to find a way to help Mississippi’s level become higher. That would be amazing.”

As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Caraway about volleyball and more.

Who is a role model or someone you look up to?

Caraway: I would have to say my high school coach, Melissa Denson. She pushes me to become the best athlete and person I can be. She always tells us to be a good person. Don’t just settle. Be a good person and push to do your best.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would you do and why?

Caraway: If I had a choice, I would probably go sky diving. I would go sky diving because I’ve never done something like that and I always wonder what it would be like.

Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?

Caraway: I have always wanted to learn to play tennis. I have no idea how to play. I ask friends about teaching me how to play. I think it would be a great skill to learn.

Do you have any volleyball superstitions or rituals and if so what?

Caraway: For my high school team, we actually brush our teeth before games because we are convinced that it helps us do better.

Aside from basic necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?

Caraway: I would have to say my phone. I hate to say it, but I probably couldn’t live without it even if I wanted to.

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?

Caraway: It’s my friends who I get to see every day. I love going to school because of them. It makes it a lot more enjoyable for me and it puts a smile on my face.

What’s one of your favorite ways to have fun?

Caraway: I love going out to eat with my friends. I love food and my friends. It’s the perfect combination.

Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?

Caraway: I would say my friends and family. They mean the most to me in my life. They have a really huge impact on me.

What is one thing that may surprise people about you?

Caraway: Probably that I was so unathletic. I had no idea I was ever going to start playing sports, let alone volleyball. Sports was not my thing. I think it was really shocking for my parents that I even wanted to play volleyball, but once I started I couldn’t stop.

If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be and why?

Caraway: I would live in Florida, like Miami or really anywhere in Florida. I love the beach. We always go there for vacation. It’s a special place for me, so I would move to Florida.

What’s your favorite food or foods?

Caraway: This is a really hard question. I love any type of pasta or any junk food or candy. Anything that’s bad for you I absolutely love.

Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of volleyball?

Caraway: I do track for high school. I started high jump last year. I didn’t think it was going to work out for me but I wanted to try something new. I found out I’m not too bad at it. I’m hoping to place at state this year.

What’s your favorite number and why?

Caraway: My favorite number is 32. It was my dad’s old baseball number that’s why I chose it. Also, 32 was also one of my club/high school coach’s number, so that’s another reason why it’s special to me.