Next up in our series is Kendra Turner, a 6’1″ outside hitter from LaPlace LA. She played volleyball (and basketball and track) at Riverside Academy. She played club for Southern Swing and Louisiana Volleyball.

During her junior year she averaged 19 kills per match. She was the All-District MVP and was named to the All-New Orleans Area team. In the Louisiana tournament, a switch of just five points in the semifinals would have had her team playing in the state championship game.

Her senior season was more impressive. She averaged 25 kills per set. She was the Preseason Player of the Year in her region, again the All-District MVP, and added All-Area MVP and All-State honors. PrepVolleyball named her a High Honorable Mention on their High School All-American list. And her team almost played for it all again, falling in the semifinals where a switch of just four points would have had them in the title game.

Turner on her decision to play at Tennessee: “I’m very excited. At Tennessee, they care for their athletes and they make sure we’re up on classwork before we get on the court. I really like the coaches, and I feel like they can push me even more… When I watch (Tennessee) on TV, they really compete. I like the school and the academics. The campus is so nice.”

High school coach Chelsea Lucas-Nicholas on Turner: “I tell people all the time, you see the finished product, and she’s not even finished yet”; “Her determination was big. The way she was committed to the younger girls, leading them — she matured”; “She’s always hit the ball hard, but she really grew into a passion for it this year. When you have that skill and desire together, it’s powerful”; “She wants to be the best player… she can be. She’s prepared.”

Coach Patrick on Turner: “Kendra is going to bring a tremendous amount of athletic ability to our volleyball team. She is a strong, powerful, six-rotation outside hitter, one of those rare volleyball athletes that can control the ball in the back row as well as terminate in the front row. We are very excited about the potential that Kendra brings to our program and she will be able to provide firepower on the right and outside hitting positions on our team.”

photos from theadvocate.com / nola.com / Riverside Academy