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Avery Burton started the season with a big honor and milestone when collecting her 1,000th career kill. After an incredible season and playoff run to a Final 4, the junior ends her season on a bigger note as the BLITZ Player of the Year.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
477 Kills
273 Assists
230 Digs
92 Aces
19 Blocks
Throughout the season, Burton was racking up the stats in several key categories – in fact, almost all of them. She posted 477 kills, 273 assists, 230 digs, 92 aces, and 19 blocks. That’s incredible!
VOTING RESULTS
- Avery Burton – 49 pts (4 1st-place votes)
- Kamryn Brown – 46.25 pts (5)
- Becca Heyl – 29.25 pts (2)
- Kenzie King – 29 pts (3)
- Kimber Meister – 19.5 pts (1)
- Kalynn Watkins – 19.25 pts (2)
- Kallie Thrift – 10.75 pts
- Hannah Howard – 9.5 pts
Voting included our 17-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts
This was CLOSE…Burton may have won on the weighted vote, but runner-up Kamryn Brown had the most first place votes. In fact, six different players tallied at least one top vote, which is rare.
HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL POY
- 2025 – Avery Burton – Franklin JR OH
- 2024 – Kaytlin Johnson – Jefferson SR OH
- 2023 – Linsey Burke – White SR S
- 2022 – Sarah Jennings – Tallulah Falls SR OH
- 2021 – Sarah Jennings – Tallulah Falls JR OH
- 2020 – Katy Corbett – Tallulah Falls SR OH
- 2019 – Katy Corbett – Tallulah Falls JR OH
- 2018 – JoJo Smith – Jefferson SO OH
- 2017 – Katerina Shalikashvili – Habersham SR OH
- 2016 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham SR MH
- 2015 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham JR OH
- 2014 – Chaselin Allen – Habersham SR L
- 2013 – Caeli Chambers – Habersham SR L
- 2012 – Haley Gerrin – Habersham SR MH
- 2011 – Haley Gerrin – Habersham JR MH
- 2010 – Alexia Wilson – Lumpkin JR MH
- 2009 – Megan Rowland – Habersham SR OH
Burton is the first from Franklin to win the hardware. She’s the first senior to win it since 2022, and could become the fifth repeat winner if she can do it next season, and she marks the 10th outside hitter to win the award.
WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?
Our Prediction for Who Wins Player of the Year in 2026
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Our Prediction for Who Wins Player of the Year in 2026
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