Kenai Central’s Emma Beck named Gatorade Alaska Volleyball Player of the Year

After leading the Kenai Central volleyball team to a successful title defense at the 3A Alaska state championship this past fall, senior Emma Beck on Monday became the first player in school history to be named Gatorade Alaska Volleyball Player of the Year.

“It feels amazing and I just feel so blessed to have the opportunity to represent my community with this award,” she said.

Beck knew when the award announcement was coming out but didn’t know she was the winner until she got a congratulatory text from a friend in Anchorage.

“I wasn’t really processing because I was rushing to school, so I was like ‘For what?’ and like ‘Oh shoot,’ and then my brother and one of his friends called me,” she said. “I had to leave class and they were like ‘Emily you won GPOY!’”

At the beginning of the season, Beck wrote down a list of goals for her final season. Winning the Gatorade award was on the list.

“To make that come true is so cool,” Beck said. “I think I knew what I was capable of and how well our season ended, but I wasn’t for sure if I’d get it, and I was still surprised that I won it because we have such good competition in Alaska.”

This award doesn’t just only acknowledge a student-athlete for their dominance on the court, it also takes into account exemplary academic achievement and exceptional character displayed on and off it as well.

Beck maintained a 4.0 GPA, is the student body president at her school, and has volunteered locally as a middle school volleyball coach as well as by fundraising to support cancer research.

“I think that being good at sports is super cool and amazing, but people aren’t going to remember you for how good you were at your sport,” she said. “How you treat people is something that my parents always preached to me, and that I’ve always taken in. To be recognized for not just what I accomplished on the court but for who I am as a person is so cool and makes me feel good about myself.”

Beck was the main catalyst for the Kardinals’ success in fall 2023 as a powerful and tone-setting outside hitter, leading them to a 51-5 overall record and perfect 10-0 record in conference. She recorded 810 kills, averaged 5.9 kills per set, 352 digs, 100 aces, 90 blocks, 62 assists, and was named the 3A State Tournament Most Outstanding Hitter.

“Her volleyball IQ is off the charts,” said Mountain City Christian Academy coach Serge Duchatellier. “Not only could she hammer the ball from the right side, but she was also acutely aware that she could tip it over the block just as easily. She caused havoc for my defenders and also played well on the back row.”

[Kenai Central bests Valdez to repeat as 3A state volleyball champion]

Beck is not only the first recipient of the award from her program but she is the first player from a smaller school to receive it since Brooke Wegner of Valdez in the 2004-05 school year. It snapped a 19-year streak of the award winner being from either South Anchorage or Dimond High, both of which are perennial 4A powerhouse programs.

“I think 3A does get overlooked a little bit,” she said. “We have great athletes, and the same with 4A, but Alaska in general gets overlooked a bit. Being able to not only represent my state but also my community ... and shine a light on some of the smaller schools is cool.”