MBHS volleyball's Sara Carr named state's Gatorade player of the year

Mountain Brook High volleyball player Sara Carr has been named as the 2014-15 Gatorade Alabama Volleyball Player of the Year.

Carr, a 5-11 junior outside hitter, helped lead the Spartans coached by Haven O’Quinn to a 49-10 record and the Class 7A state championship this past season. Carr slammed 648 kills while recording a .441 kill percentage and .340 hitting percentage. A returning First Team All-State selection as named by the Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association, she also amassed 513 digs, 81 service aces and 48 blocks this past fall. In the 3-1, title-clinching victory against Hoover, Carr collected match highs of 16 kills, 14 digs and three blocks, capturing Class 7A state tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Also a basketball standout, Carr has maintained a 4.21 weighted GPA in the classroom and serves as junior class secretary. A member of the Spanish Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America as well as her school’s Spanish, Outreach and National Beta clubs, she has donated her time as a youth volleyball instructor. Carr has also volunteered locally on behalf of her church, a youth literacy-outreach program, a food pantry ministry and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“She’s just a solid all-around player, but the No. 1 thing that stands out about her is that she’s a natural leader,” said Birmingham Volleyball Club director Tien Le, for whom Carr plays in the summer. “She’s one of those players who you love watching play -- the way she plays, the way she celebrates, the way she interacts with her team.”

MBHS Athletics Director Benny Eaves said, “What an awesome honor for both her and Mountain Brook. We are so proud of Sara and all the positive accolades she has received. She is a wonderful example of what Mountain Brook Athletics is all about -- the student-athlete.”