Northview volleyball player Lily Townson didn’t even start as a freshman, but was recently named Florida’s Player of the Year from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

“Lily played in the ninth grade, but didn’t start because she couldn’t serve,” said NHS volleyball coach Barbara Luker. “She has a volleyball at home and she practiced serving and setting every night.”

The hard work paid off and her impressive stat line for the season led to her selection among coaches from other schools. The Century native was selected the top player out of more than 14,000 other volleyball players in the state. It was the first time a Northview player has received the award.

Those impressive stats for the team’s setter include: 13 aces, 16 kills, 230 assists, or sets and 108 digs.

“I was blown away,” said Townson, about the award. “I didn’t even know it was something you could win because no one at Northview had won it.”

Townson said she enjoyed playing her final season at Northview and noted that the team was very close this year.

“All of us have been playing together since ninth grade,” she said. “It was like a family.”

The daughter of Burley and Pamila Townson said she got interested in volleyball in middle school, when all of her friends wanted to join the team. She said her interest in the sport outlasted theirs.

“I stuck with it and fell in love with it,” Townson said. “It was the only sport I felt completely comfortable with.”

She hopes to play in college and said she would go anywhere as long as she could compete in volleyball.

Luker said Townson would be a good college player, because her position requires someone who can lead.

“She has a natural ability to lead a team,” Luker said. “When she steps on the court, it’s about winning.”