Two-time Gatorade Arkansas Volleyball Player of the Year continuing family tradition of being a Razorback
JONESBORO, Ark. (BVM) — Following a historic season, outside hitter Clara Parker was named Gatorade Arkansas Volleyball Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The recent Jonesboro High School graduate joins former award winners Haley Warner and Ella May Powell as the only girls to win the award twice. Both Warner and Powell attended Fayetteville High School.
During the 2019 campaign, Parker led the Lady Hurricanes to an undefeated, 35-0 record. Jonesboro won their second straight state championship and third in the past four years. For just the third time in program history, the Lady Hurricanes were perfect on the court. It was their first undefeated season since 2002.
As her senior season progressed, Parker was able to compile an impressive stat line. With a kill percentage of .450 she racked up a total of 432 kills. Along with her impressive offensive skill set, she racked up 344 digs and 44 blocks. Parker would finish her prep volleyball career with 1,450 kills and 1,209 digs.
“For a girl that is 5-foot-10, her defense and passing are pretty remarkable,” Jonesboro head volleyball coach Craig Cummings said. “She takes a lot of pride in what she does.”
The two-time Class 5A tournament MVP not only dominated the volleyball court, but she also dominated the tennis court. Parker was a three-time state doubles champion as a member of the Jonesboro girls tennis team.
Parker has also shown she’s dedicated to the classroom as well as the court earning a weighted 4.24 GPA.
“She’s nails in the classroom,” Cummings said. “The team GPA was 4.103 this past season. That’s the highest it’s ever been.”
Dedicating time to helping her community has been a focal point for Parker. The past three years she volunteered as a mentor/tutor at Jonesboro Kindergarten Center. Parker also volunteered at the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society and served as an instructor for elementary volleyball clinics.
A force on the court, Parker’s athletic journey hasn’t always been an easy road. Before the start of the 2019 season she was having foot problems. Parker took a trip to the doctor and a tumor was found near her Achilles. Something like that would discourage other athletes, but not Clara.
“She missed out on the Junior Olympic season, but she wanted to be ready for the fall season,” Cummings said. “She rehabbed like a mad dog.”
Her rehab went so well that she was cleared by doctors weeks in advance. Being a two-sport athlete can take a toll on most. It never really seemed to affect Parker though.
“She would play a tennis match in 95-degree heat and come into the gym ready for a volleyball match,” Cummings said. “She had a valid excuse to rest for a match, but she did not.”
Now Parker will head to Fayetteville to continue her career as a Razorbacks volleyball player. The University of Arkansas has played a major role in the Parker household for generations. Her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all attended the university. It’s a strong family tradition she aims to uphold while competing in the SEC.
