South Carolina Native Thayer Hall Named Gatorade Player of the Year

Senior outside hitter Thayer Hall of South Carolina’s Dorman High School was named as Gatorade National Player of the Year on Monday, making her the first such selection from the Palmetto state. Hall racked up 638 kills and 361 digs, while hitting at a .401 clip as Dorman went 42-4 in 2017 en route to its third straight state finals appearance and second consecutive title.

Olympian, pro beach star and 2000 Gatorade Player of the Year April Ross surprised Hall with the honor Sunday night.

Hall was tabbed with her fourth straight South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year accolade in 2017 to go with her fourth straight all-state honor, South Carolina North-South All-Star team selection and Dorman team MVP honor. The Roebuck, S.C., native was named as 5A Player of the Year, her third such accolade, and was selected to the Under Armour All-America game in December, where she was named East MVP. In addition, Hall earned All-America honors from MaxPreps and garnered both All-USA Player of the Year and FloVolleyball Player of the Year nods.

All told in her four-year career, Hall downed 2,291 kills, while hitting at a .391 clip and adding 1363 digs, 204 aces and 144 blocks. She averaged 5.4 kills and 3.2 digs per set.

Hall has already begun making a name for herself on the international stage, winning MVP honors at the Women’s U20 Pan American Cup last summer as the youngest player and only high school player on the USA Junior National Team. Next up on her playing resume, however, will be a collegiate career at the University of Florida, where she has already enrolled early, beginning this spring.

On the club circuit, Hall played with the Upward Stars, which competed at AAU nationals in Orlando.

Hall was one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year honor alongside outside hitter Adanna Rollins (Hebron HS; Carrollton, Texas) and setter Gabby Blossom (St. Joseph’s Academy; St. Louis, Missouri).