Dorman High School junior Thayer Hall has been named the recipient of the first-annual MaxPreps National High School Athlete of the Year. This is a second major award in a week for Hall, who in spite being one of the youngest players in the tournament was named the MVP of the 2017 U21 Pan American Cup in Costa Rica where she led Team USA to a U21 World Championship qualification.
“MaxPreps congratulates Thayer Hall on being named the High School Female Athlete of the Year,” said Andy Beal, Founder and President of MaxPreps. “High school sports are designed to build character and foster teamwork and a competitive spirit in our nation’s young people. The MaxPreps High School Athlete of the Year Award represents those outstanding qualities that make not just great athletes, but more importantly fine citizens. MaxPreps is proud to honor this fine student-athlete in collaboration with the United States Marine Corps.”
Hall is a two-time South Carolina Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and a USA Today All-American. She’s already committed to the University of Florida, where she’ll play her first full varsity season in the fall of 2018. For now, she has one more year of high school to build upon her resume that included 608 kills, 50 aces, and 31 blocks as a junior.
Hall’s offensive stats through her first 3 seasons of high school:
| Year | Grade | Team | SP | K | K/S | Kill % | Att | E | Hit % |
| 16-17 | Junior | Varsity | 121 | 608 | 5 | 50 | 1217 | 157 | 0.371 |
| 15-16 | Sophomore | Varsity | 98 | 570 | 5.8 | 53.8 | 1060 | 127 | 0.418 |
| 14-15 | Freshman | Varsity | 100 | 475 | 4.8 | 50.1 | 948 | 122 | 0.372 |
“Thayer is one of the most fierce competitors you will ever find on the volleyball court. Her desire to win and play at the highest level is an inspiration to those who play and practice with her. She is truly the epitome of the well-rounded athlete: extraordinary talent and skill overshadowed only by her exemplary character and integrity,” said head volleyball coach Paula Kirkland. When asked what it means that Hall is receiving this award, Kirkland stated, “The Athlete of the Year award sums up how we all feel here at Dorman High School about Thayer. She is that athlete that not only represents our school at the highest-level skill wise, but also is a great teammate and classmate. She handles the attention and success with humility and grace, always giving credit to her Lord first and her teammates second. We are honored and blessed here at Dorman to have her represent our school.”
Off the court, Hall volunteers with mentoring players in younger age groups in her local volleyball programs, volunteers as a soup kitchen, and also works with the special Olympics and the Carolina Miracle League. She has a 4.3 GPA in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society.
The new iteration of the award begun by MaxPreps this year honors 1 male and 1 female athlete each year. MaxPreps seeks nominations from members of its site and the general public – which may be submitted by a coach, parent, peer, or teacher. The award, while athletics-focused, are based on well-rounded student-athletes.
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