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6 Days Until the State Girls Cross Country Announcement
Gatorade 2024 - 2025: Player of the Year

Volleyball - Nevada

athletes playing Volleyball
The POY Logo
VOLLEYBALL

Ayanna Watson

Outside hitter
BISHOP GORMAN HS
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
JUNIOR
Height: 6-FOOT-3
Press Release

Peak Performance

705

Kills

286

Digs

44

Aces

40

Blocks
“Ayanna has been the mainstay, go-to hitter for Bishop Gorman the past couple of years. She epitomizes the volleyball player we all want to have.  Her competitiveness, her outstanding ability in all skill sets, her capacity to raise her teammates up and her willingness to be the leader for her team outdoes any hitter I’ve seen in Nevada. She’s the best player across all divisions in the state and she does it with a sense of humility and confidence.”
Amy Fisher
Head Coach - Faith Lutheran High
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year, the 6-foot-3 junior outside hitter amassed 705 kills and 286 digs this past season, leading the Gaels (29-8) to the Class 5A state title. Watson averaged 7.3 kills per set and compiled a kill percentage of .620 and a hitting percentage of .546. She added 44 service aces, 40 blocks and 33 assists on the year. Ranked as the nation’s No. 8 prospect in her class by PrepVolleyball, she was also the PrepVolleyball Class of 2026 National POY. 

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Watson has maintained a weighted 3.81 GPA in the classroom. She has made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play volleyball at the University of Pittsburgh beginning in the fall of 2026.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Watson has volunteered locally on behalf of the Quietstorm Foundation and the Just One Project as well as at her school’s student store. She has also donated her time as a youth volleyball instructor.