Volleyball Signee Named Gatorade Player of the Year for South Carolina
Incoming freshman Lauren McCutcheon was recognized Thursday as the state's top volleyball student-athlete
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Incoming South Carolina volleyball freshman Lauren McCutcheon was named the 2020-21 Gatorade South Carolina Volleyball Player of the Year Thursday. The Simpsonville native will join the Gamecocks in the fall after a successful four-year career at J.L. Mann Academy. McCutcheon is now a finalist for the Gatorade’s National Volleyball Player of the Year award, announced later in May.
McCutcheon had a tremendous senior season for her school, leading the team to a 21-3 record and a spot in the state tournament’s quarterfinal round. As an individual, she finished with 334 kills, 195 digs, 35 service aces and 27 blocks over the 24 games. McCutcheon earned multiple all-state honors while collecting five varsity letters, is a four-time AVCA all-region team member and earned the Region Player of the Year award in 2019 and 2020. Outside of J.L. Mann, McCutcheon represented the United States on the Deaf Volleyball National team and led the team to a gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Deaf Games.
In her community, McCutcheon works as a mentor for children with cochlear implants as well as volunteer efforts with the Special Olympics. When she enrolls at South Carolina she plans to major in exercise science with a career goal of working as an athletic trainer.
“When I first got to South Carolina, she was playing some outside for her high school but she was playing middle mostly in club. She had a great arm and she had some of the blocking ability, but when she transitioned to the outside hitter position was when she really started taking off,” head coach Tom Mendoza said after signing McCutcheon in November. “Credit Lauren, we said if you’re going to be elite at this level your passing has got to be the strength of your game. She worked her tail off and she’s one of the best passers I see at her age. When you have those combinations of skill at the outside position, it’s incredibly valuable for any team and that’s the direction we’re trying to go on the left side. I think she’s going to fit well with our group.”
The Gamecocks welcome in McCutcheon and four more signees to the team next season. For summer updates leading into the fall, follow @GamecockVolley on social media.
