Not Once, But Twice

Not n , but TWICE

Byron Nelson’s Flickinger Named Gatorade Texas Player Of The Year

by Steve Gamel

It’s one thing for an athlete to earn national recognition once in their high school career. But to do it twice? That’s exactly what happened to Byron Nelson outside hitter Paige Flickinger. The Lady Bobcats’ senior volleyball star was named the Gatorade Texas Volleyball Player of the Year for a second straight season on January 13, making her only the third player to receive the honor twice. With the honor, Flickinger is now in the running for the national award. The LSU signee led Byron Nelson to a 50-2 record and a Class 6A state title in November. She capped her senior year with a staggering 797 kills, 813 digs, 60 blocks, and 36 service aces. “I’m really honored. I know so many girls who play in the state, personally, on my club team and girls I’ve played against for so long,” Flickinger said in a video posted online by Northwest ISD. “To be named one of the best players is crazy; it really is an honor.” What makes Flickinger’s story all the more impressive is that the last player to win the award twice in a row was her head coach, Brianne Barker-Groth, when she played for Amarillo in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Flickinger also took home the MaxPreps.com National Player of the Year award as well as the Dallas Morning News’ All-Area Player of the Year award. She is also a first-team Under Armour All-American and a Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state selection. “When I saw the tweet out there that she’s the first one since me to get it back-toback, it’s just like, it really is cool,” BarkerGroth said in the video. “I don’t think about that often, but it’s just so hard to do. “It’s just really awesome that it’s a coach and player combo. It never happens that way. That’s a really cool stat.”

It’s just really awesome that it’s a coach and player combo. It never happens that way. That’s a really cool stat.”

Both the state and national Gatorade awards take into account athletic achievement as well as academic excellence and exemplary character. According to a Northwest ISD article, should Flickinger win the national award, it would be the second time a major U.S. organization would name her the top player in her sport when you include the same award she earned from MaxPreps.

“I’m excited to head to LSU around June and start getting prepared during that time,” Paige told Northwest ISD. She plans to major in management information systems. “I’ve met [some of my LSU teammates], but I haven’t played volleyball with them yet. When I went on my official visit in October, I got to meet the team and the girls in my recruiting class personally. It was really fun, and I’m looking forward to playing with them.”