One Chapter Set to Close with Another One Soon to Start

By: D. Scott Fritchen

The indomitable and sensational Aliyah Carter, one of the finest players in the history of Kansas State women's volleyball, will play her final match in Manhattan on Friday. She will shine in the spotlight one final time at Morgan Family Arena. And she might shed a few tears. Because the graduate student and native of Dubuque, Iowa, who earned 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, and who has remained one of the most respected and decorated players in the Big 12 Conference ever since, will bring to a close a career embedded in the record books in front of her adoring fans.

"Everyone in Manhattan has always been so welcoming and loving toward me," Carter says. "I mean, I wouldn't change it for the world."

The 5-foot-10 outside hitter is blessed with a 35-inch vertical jump, outstanding vision, elite athleticism, and is playing some of the best volleyball in the twilight of her career. For the seventh time in her career and the third time this season, Carter earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, setting the school's all-time record for weekly honors, while her 12 overall weekly awards are also a school record and seventh most in league history.

Her 1,813 career kills trail only the great Liz Wegner-Busch, who had 1,907 kills between 1998 and 2001. She also ranks second all-time with 2012.5 points and 4.36 points per set in her career.

Last week, Carter totaled 38 points to surpass 2,000 points in her 129-match career, becoming the first K-State player to reach the milestone in the rally-scoring era and the second overall in school history.

Against Kansas, she recorded her 26^th career match with at least 20 kills and posted her 33^rd career double-double.

She is one of just seven players in K-State history to record a 30-kill match, Carter's 87 attacks at Iowa State shattered the school's five-set match record in the rally-scoring era.

The 2020 Big 12 and AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year currently ranks second in the Big 12 in six offensive categories as the Wildcats visit Colorado on Wednesday.

"I'm going to miss the competitor she was and every point wanting to win," second-year K-State head coach Jason Mansfield said. "The effort is always there, and she's one of the best competitors I've ever been around. She's really tried this whole season to take her game to the next level. She's put in a lot of work and has just tried to find ways to get better. When you're in your fifth year and in the middle of the season when it gets tough, she's been focused and competitive. That's all you can ask for."

One of three finalists for the 2019 All-Female Iowa Athlete of the Year Award, joked earlier in the season that she was old, that her knees ached and that her shoulder ached, yet she grinned, because she knew that she was really actually in her prime.

She intends on playing volleyball beyond college.

D. Scott Fritchen of K-State Sports Extra sat down with Aliyah Carter to discuss her amazing K-State women's volleyball career:

D. Scott Fritchen: What exactly are your emotions heading into Senior Night?

Aliyah Carter: A part of me, I've been saying that, I don't want to do it again, because I had mine last year. I didn't know if I was going to come back — I pretty much knew I was going to come back — but I wanted to celebrate with the girls that were leaving. I don't think it's fully come down on me yet. I'm not going to play here anymore, but five years, I tried to give you all the best five years I had. I'm really proud of that.

Fritchen: How do you want to be remembered?

Carter: I've been getting this question a lot the last two years, and I just want when you think of K-State volleyball I want you to think of how competitive this program is, so I think that on the court I want people to say, 'She was so competitive.' Off the floor, I just want to be seen as a cool girl. I gave it my all and I hope people see that.

Fritchen: What has given you the most joy during your outstanding career?

Carter: Honestly, just building the relationships I have has been the best thing. I'm most proud of the relationships I have with my teammates and coaches and everyone who's passed through K-State volleyball while I was here. I'm really proud of the way that I've been able to connect with people.

Fritchen: What's been the biggest challenge you've faced during your career?

Carter: Just volleyball wise I've always tried to work to be more consistent. Ever since my freshman year, that's been a big word for me. I still don't think I'm consistent enough and that's just the sport. This year, I've seen a growth in consistent passing and hitting, so I'm really proud of that.

Fritchen: You've obviously impacted a lot of people during your years at K-State. Who are some people who have impacted you the most?

Carter: Every little girl who comes up to me. Even before the game, they're like, 'Aliyah, can I have a ball?' I'm like, 'Of course.' I do it for the fans, for Manhattan, for K-State, so I think just looking out and seeing the big crowd we have I appreciate those people so much the people who support day in and day out. Of course, the coaches I have now and the coaches who've left, they've all made a big impact on me and who I am as a person. I appreciate that.

Fritchen: What do you attribute to your success?

Carter: God. I mean, I'm a Christian. First and foremost, God has done this for me. I don't know where I'd be.

My brothers, ever since I could walk, they've pushed me. It's always been a competition between the three of us. My brother Noah, who just turned 24 and had played at Missouri, right now is in the Check Republic playing basketball and he's always tuning in watching the game. If he can keep on going, why can't I?

Fritchen: How much family will be in attendance for your final match at K-State?

Carter: Not too many family members. Throughout the years my family has been able to come and watch me play. Iowa State, I had to show out for them, and we had a lot of people there, so Iowa State was great. It'll be just my other brother Joshua, 28, and my two parents and my uncle Jermaine. It's going to be great.

Fritchen: What do you want to be known for in K-State history?

Carter: It's funny because I've been telling Jason, 'If somebody wants to come in here and wear the No. 2, make sure they earn it first. I don't want my jersey to be sitting on the bench. When somebody wears the No. 2 or they think of what I did on the court, I just want people to think, 'She's a killer. She kills the ball, she gets up high, she puts it down. She had a great energy.' I've been telling Jason, 'Make sure no freshman comes in and tries to wear No. 2.' I want this jersey to be passed onto someone great.

Fritchen: Against Kansas, you became just the second player in K-State history to reach 2,000 kills in a career — an unbelievable accomplishment. What's been the key?

Carter: Throughout the years, I've really learned not to let the pressure get to me. Even from freshman to junior year I was very like, 'I'm going to have to have X amount of kills and this many points,' stuff like that. This year, I've been really good at telling myself, 'Just calm down and play and whatever the set gives you, hit it, and keep playing point by point, and don't worry about the points, they'll come.'

Fritchen: In the spirit of the holidays, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Carter: My dad brings this camper that he puts on the back of his truck, so he pulled that to Tuttle Creek State Park. Dad is bringing the turkey and mom is bringing the sides and I'm bringing an empty stomach. Tuttle Creek is so pretty. We did it a couple years back and just outside, especially right now, it's a little colder, it's pretty, it's amazing.

Fritchen: What have you learned most about yourself during your journey?

Carter: I've learned what type of person I am. For a minute there, I feel like maybe my freshman and sophomore year, I tried to change who I was. People said, 'You run hot when you play. You're always up there.' I settled down, but when I settle down it doesn't work. I know who I am. I know if I maybe do run hot, or if I get too excited, that's what makes me a good player, so it was just adapting to that, and knowing that's who I am. I don't have to change that part of me.

Fritchen: What's next for Aliyah Carter?

Carter: The Pro Volleyball Federation draft is tomorrow. I'd love to stay in the states. If that's not what I'm called to do, I'm going overseas. I'm playing more volleyball. I have enough left in me. I'm not done yet. I know I can get better at volleyball. Wherever I go, hopefully I'll be playing some more, and hopefully my body keeps up with me. I'm excited for it. Just watching my brother Noah go and play, and he still has it in him, I have to keep doing it, too. I can't let him outlast me.

Fritchen: What will you miss the most after your K-State playing days?

Carter: I just really want to emphasize the community here has made me feel so welcome and loved. I wouldn't change it for the world. I never would say I ever wanted to transfer or stopped playing volleyball. Everyone in Manhattan has always been so welcoming and loving toward me. I mean, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love Manhattan. I'm an alumnus — I majored in kinesiology and I'm getting a coaching certificate. I don't think I'm going to coach. I know what kind of player I am so I wouldn't make it easier. But I'm going keep playing, and I'm going to keep doing it for K-State.

Kansas State University Athletics

One Chapter Set to Close with Another One Soon to Start

Players Mentioned

Aliyah Carter

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