High school volleyball: Lauren Harden honored as MaxPreps National Player of the Year at ceremony

Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) senior volleyball star Lauren Harden received her MaxPreps National Player of the Year trophy Friday during a presentation at the Indianapolis-area school.

"It's such a high honor and achievement to be named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year," Harden said. "It's super special and especially because it's a national award. I'm grateful for the recognition."

The Hamilton Southeastern gymnasium was packed on Friday as the boys basketball team hosted rival Fishers in the annual Mudsock Game. The Royals faithful lauded the Florida commit as MaxPreps was on hand for the ceremony that also honored the HSE volleyball team, which won its second straight Class 4A title and finished 33-0.

HSE ended the season on a 67-match win streak and finished No. 3 in the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.

Harden, who finished the season with 371 kills, said the ceremony was something she'll remember her whole life.

"It was crazy," she said. "My athletic director went over the schedule and told me I was going to be honored last. It was amazing to hear the crowd's feedback. It was also special to see the support from Fishers, our district school, too."

She said she also made eye contact with her parents, Lawrence and Christi, during the ceremony and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to them.

The 6-foot-3 outside hitter said she's been flooded with congratulations ever since being named Player of the Year. She now heads to Gainesville Fla, as a multi-year MaxPreps All-American who finished her career with more than 1,000 kills.

"I'm excited for next year," she said. "If you told me (at the start of high school) that I would be the MaxPreps National Player of the Year, I would say you're crazy. I've grown and developed so much over the past four years through school and club."