Same old song and dance! Habersham Central owns the Volleyball Player of the Year Award, as Katerina Shalikashvili makes it seven years in a row…there’s a word for that: domination. Shalikashvili was dominant in 2017, leading the Lady Raiders to a second straight state playoff trip despite being in the ever-tough Region 8-AAAAAA.

Shalikashvili put up a solid stat line: 277 digs, 248 kills and 24 blocks. She added 25 aces and a 96% serving percentage. The senior’s leadership led Habersham volleyball to 12 wins in 2017 and 72 over the past four seasons while she’s been a member of the program.

VOTING RESULTS

Our panel of 18 voters, made up of media reporters/broadcasters, former BLITZ players, former coaches and a couple of fans, submitted their Heisman-style ballots for the four finalists for the award:

HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

As noted above, Shalikashvili makes it seven years in a row that the award goes to Habersham Central volleyball. They continue to churn out spectacular players. The award also seems to favor outside and middle hitters.

2017 – Katerina Shalikashvili – Habersham Central SR OH #10
2016 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham Central SR MH #12
2015 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham Central JR OH #12
2014 – Chaselin Allen – Habersham Central SR L #2
2013 – Caeli Chambers – Habersham Central SR L #4
2012 – Haley Gerrin – Habersham Central SR MH #15
2011 – Haley Gerrin – Habersham Central JR MH #15
2010 – Alexia Wilson – Lumpkin County JR MH #16
2009 – Megan Rowland – Habersham Central SR OH #14

LOOKING AHEAD – THE NEXT FAVORITE(S)

Look no further than Tallulah Falls’ sophomore Ashley Crosby, who so narrowly missed being player of the year this time. She’ll be around for awhile. Essentially, this award is hers to lose next year, as seven of the other eight nominees for the award were all seniors. That leaves Crosby and Rabun JR Kaitlin Coleman as the only two coming back next season. However, the question remains which Habersham Central player will step up to make another run at the award that pretty much has their name on it.