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10 Days Until the State Girls Cross Country Announcement
Gatorade 2025 - 2026: Player of the Year

Volleyball - North Carolina

Gatorade Player of the year

Nejari Crooks

Outside hitter/setter
WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA
JUNIOR
Height: 6-FOOT-0
Press Release

Peak Performance

405

Kills

351

Assists

216

Digs

104

Aces
“Nejari is one of the most exceptional volleyball players in the state not simply because of her talent, but because of her rare ability to dominate the game while elevating everyone around her. She excels at two of the most critical positions on the court, setter and opposite, and ranks among the very best in North Carolina at both.”
Sandy Merkel-DeJames
Head Coach - Ravenscroft School

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot junior outside hitter and setter compiled 405 kills and 351 assists this past season leading the Trojans (21-3) to the NCISSA Class 4A state semifinals. Crooks also recorded 216 digs, 104 service aces and 65 blocks while posting a .528 kill percentage and a .426 hitting percentage. An American Volleyball Coaches Association First Team All-American, Crooks was a member of the USA Volleyball Under-19 Women’s National Team that won the gold medal at the Pan American Cup in Canada last June. She concluded her junior year with 966 assists and 961 kills in her prep volleyball career.

Academic Achievement

Crooks has maintained a weighted 4.84 GPA in the classroom. She has made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play volleyball at Pennsylvania State University beginning in the fall of 2027.

Exemplary Character

A member of the Wesleyan Christian Beta Club and Trojan Law Club, Crooks has volunteered locally as part of multiple community service initiatives in association with her school’s National Honor Society.