Nicole Peterson, a senior at Jesuit High School, was named by MaxPreps as National Player of the Year in volleyball. She led Jesuit to a 37-0 record and a state title. 
Nicole Peterson, a senior at Jesuit High School, was named by MaxPreps as National Player of the Year in volleyball. She led Jesuit to a 37-0 record and a state title. 
The best high school volleyball player in the United States is Nicole Peterson, a senior at Jesuit High School.  

Peterson, a 6-foot-tall setter who led Jesuit to a 37-0 record and a state title, was named by MaxPreps as National Player of the Year in volleyball. That’s the top of a motherlode of honors for Peterson, who is also State Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year for Oregon.

“She led the team in most offensive categories — certainly in most exciting kills, as it has been reported that on more than one occasion, she knocked opponents off their feet,” says the MaxPreps citation.  

When Jesuit graduated an All-American setter following the 2014 season, Peterson stepped in. She tallied 956 assists (11.1 per set), 142 digs, 120 service aces, 95 kills and 22 blocks. More than a quarter of her serves were aces. Off her 466 serves, Jesuit got 306 points.

The daughter of tennis pros Rob and Carolina, Peterson said her spin serve was developed at a young age. She attributes it to tennis.

“It just came naturally to me and I was strong enough to make it work,” said Peterson, who also plays for the Jesuit tennis team.

“Nicole is a standout in all of the positions we asked her to play, and she played wherever the team needed her,” says Teresa Zimmerlee, Jesuit head coach. “Nicole is competitive, confident, and an amazing floor leader. She is powerful and has great court vision.”

Peterson will play indoor and sand volleyball at the University of San Francisco.

Peterson, who began playing volleyball at age 8, is grateful for the honor, but prefers to focus on the whole squad.

“As a team, we worked so hard to be successful,” she says.  

Jesuit was ranked No. 2 nationally in the MaxPreps volleyball rankings, the highest finish for a team from the Pacific Northwest.