Tuesday, August 6th, 2019
Aces in Australia
Celina's Carlin named American MVP at volleyball tournament down under
By Colin Foster
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard
Celina's Samantha Carlin sets up a teammate during a scrimmage on Monday at the Intermediate School in Celina.
CELINA - Celina volleyball player Samantha Carlin recently went to the land down under as a selected representative of American volleyball.
And the junior setter came up aces in Australia.
Carlin was named America's Most Valuable Player and helped the Hawks team earn a bronze medal in the 21st annual Down Under Sports Volleyball International Tournament at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, located on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland.
The tournament featured six United States teams and 12 from Australia. U.S. teams won gold (Mustangs), silver (Bengals) and bronze. It was the first gold for America at the tournament in five years and first medal sweep in at least 10 years. Carlin, daughter of Chris and Andrea, was named MVP among all six American teams.
"Usually all the hitters get the glory," said Carlin, whose mom accompanied her on the 10-day trip. "(The MVP) just wasn't expected. I was surprised when I got it, but I was excited.
"I think it was my heart that I put into the game, my hustle after everything and not letting the ball drop."
Down Under Sports was founded in 1989 by New Zealander George O'Scanlon, according to its Facebook page. Since then, the company has given thousands of American athletes the opportunity to visit aboard and compete against foreign counterparts in volleyball, football, basketball, cross country, golf and track and field.
Last high school season, Carlin was named third team All-Western Buckeye League after averaging 8.5 assists and 2.6 digs per set while also tallying 33 aces. Those stats helped Carlin get her name in the selection pool for the Aussie tournament, and she received an invite from Down Under Sports through school.
Carlin didn't know any of her team prior to the tournament. The Hawks featured players from Ohio, Florida and Nebraska.
On Monday, Carlin was back with her Celina teammates for a five-way scrimmage at the Intermediate School. The MVP and Celina will open the season at Marion Local on Aug. 17.
"I'm just excited to keep playing," Carlin concluded.
Submitted Photo
Samantha Carlin poses with her bronze medal and MVP trophy in Australia.
