University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
2024 Volleyball Signee Named Mississippi's Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year
1/10/2024 12:58:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss.- Jackson Academy libero and recent Golden Eagle signee Kaylee Lowther was awarded the 2023-2024 Mississippi Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year on Tuesday, January 8.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes high school athletes in each state nationwide for excellence in their respective sports and in the classroom and community.
Lowther, who signed with Southern Miss in November, earned the prestigious honor after leading her team to a 35-13 record and a fifth consecutive MAIS Division I championship in her senior season. She is the first student-athlete in Southern Miss Volleyball history to have earned the award.
"Huge congratulations to Kaylee Lowther on being named the top player from the state of Mississippi," Southern Miss head coach Jenny Hazelwood said. "Kaylee is so dedicated with a great work ethic and is an amazing teammate. We are honored to have our first Gatorade Player of the Year!"
The libero finished her high school career with a state single-season record of 719 digs with 122 assists and 86 service aces. She amassed a total of 1,642 carer digs.
Lowther's performance also earned her the title of MaxPreps' Best Player in Mississippi in 2023, and she was voted on the list of SBLive's 2023 Top Liberos in the Nation. She was also the only Mississippian to earn AVCA First Team All-American honors this season.
"Kaylee is by far the best libero I've seen in years," Jackson Academy head coach Melissa Denson said in Gatorade's news release. "Her eye for the court and her game is the best I've seen. Her ball control, speed and ability to make athletic plays is unmatched."
Lowther joins Southern Miss along with three other signees in the 2024 signing class, including libero Lindsey Smith (Madison, Miss.) and two outside hitters Emily Davis (Brandon, Miss.) and Ella Ward (Little Rock, Ark.).
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes high school athletes in each state nationwide for excellence in their respective sports and in the classroom and community.
Lowther, who signed with Southern Miss in November, earned the prestigious honor after leading her team to a 35-13 record and a fifth consecutive MAIS Division I championship in her senior season. She is the first student-athlete in Southern Miss Volleyball history to have earned the award.
"Huge congratulations to Kaylee Lowther on being named the top player from the state of Mississippi," Southern Miss head coach Jenny Hazelwood said. "Kaylee is so dedicated with a great work ethic and is an amazing teammate. We are honored to have our first Gatorade Player of the Year!"
The libero finished her high school career with a state single-season record of 719 digs with 122 assists and 86 service aces. She amassed a total of 1,642 carer digs.
Lowther's performance also earned her the title of MaxPreps' Best Player in Mississippi in 2023, and she was voted on the list of SBLive's 2023 Top Liberos in the Nation. She was also the only Mississippian to earn AVCA First Team All-American honors this season.
"Kaylee is by far the best libero I've seen in years," Jackson Academy head coach Melissa Denson said in Gatorade's news release. "Her eye for the court and her game is the best I've seen. Her ball control, speed and ability to make athletic plays is unmatched."
Lowther joins Southern Miss along with three other signees in the 2024 signing class, including libero Lindsey Smith (Madison, Miss.) and two outside hitters Emily Davis (Brandon, Miss.) and Ella Ward (Little Rock, Ark.).
Episode 5: Forged In Fire
Wednesday, November 29
Episode 4:Forged In Fire
Friday, November 03
Volleyball HC Jenny Hazelwood and Junior Mia Wesley- Arkansas State Postgame
Saturday, October 21
Episode 3: Forged In Fire
Thursday, October 19