Put it in the Banks: Carli Named National Player of Year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dallas College Eastfield volleyball's Carli Banks was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Player of the Year.

"This feeling just feels like an answered prayer from God," Banks said. "I've been praying all year, and I didn't know how this year was going to turn out, but it turned out the best I could've imagined. My family and my teammates behind me, I mean, I don't know what else I could ask for."

A 5-foot-9 sophomore outside hitter from Houston, Banks was a First Team All-American, in addition to collecting the Dallas Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player award. She also was a First Team All-DAC selection.

"I don't think it's a stretch to say she is the best player in the country at her position," Eastfield third-year coach Phil Nickel said. "Carli may be the most improved player on our roster from last year. When she came to us, she was an athlete that could jump high and hit hard. Through her hard work and commitment, she has developed into an excellent volleyball player."

Banks banged down 282 kills, hit .323, had 313 digs, 43 aces and 54 blocks, and helped lead the Harvester Bees to a second straight national championship in a 34-1 season.

"Last year after we won the national championship, immediately after the win, I wanted to prepare myself for the next season because I knew that I wanted more," Banks said. "Not just out of greed, but if we were going to do this again … I wanted to put even more into this year. Every practice, every game, I took it seriously, I worked hard. My teammates, they carried me on. I put more money in the bank than I thought would come back to me. I put more in, not knowing if I was going to get that back."

Banks hit .300 or better in 20 matches. She hit a whopping .889 with eight kills and no errors in nine swings in a sweep of Dallas College Cedar Valley. She hit .421 with nine kills and one error in 19 attacks in the national championship sweep of No. 2 Minnesota West Community & Technical College. She had a career-best 15 kills and 30 digs, while hitting .440 in a five-set win over Temple College.

"When the freshmen came in, I felt like I needed to take on a bigger role …" Banks said, "to really being a leader in all aspects, instead of just being a teammate on the court and off the court. I think I needed to fulfill more of that role, and be that person that anyone could look up to and be like, 'Yeah, I want to do this.' And I wanted to set a great example of what anyone could do."

Banks' serving became a staple in her game. Almost overnight. As a freshman, she had two aces. This season, she ripped off 41 more aces. She put up 19 more blocks, and had 258 more digs and 106 more kills in her sophomore season, transforming her production in all areas.

"When she came to us last year a little bit late, and had to work through some things," Nickel began, "I think last year was a learning experience for her. To see where she has come in a year's time would make anybody proud. She's obviously worked hard and done a great job, and deserves all the awards she's gotten."

A member of a program that went 69-1 over the last two seasons, Banks pounded double-digit kills in nine matches this year. She had 20 or more digs in three, and double-digit digs in 13.

"Every day that I felt like maybe I wasn't 100 percent or maybe something went wrong in class or just something went wrong … I always thought to myself, 'Nobody cares,'" Banks confessed. "Nobody cares if you're not feeling good. All they expect me to do is to play volleyball and be me, and show up and do what I'm supposed to do. Nobody cares if you're feeling a little sick, or almost the mindset of, 'no excuses.'

"I didn't want to give myself any excuses. I wanted to set myself to a higher standard. And I learned you can change any day, any time you want. Changes happen as soon as you make them. Whatever I did yesterday, if I felt like I didn't do good enough yesterday, then I would move on, and make tomorrow a better day."

There will be a tomorrow for Banks in the sport. Four-year schools have been talking to her, but she is undecided at this point as to where she'll continue her career. She'd prefer to stay closer to Houston, while pursuing a degree in business management.

"I'm definitely going to miss my time and the people that I've met at Eastfield," Banks said. "I can't wait to move on to another school, and hopefully go for a third ring."