Good things come in pairs. As Kansas State volleyball gears up for the upcoming season, the saying is on full display with the outside hitter duo Aniya Clinton and Aliyah Carter.
Clinton, a redshirt sophomore, returns coming off a productive debut season, earning All Big-12 rookie team honors. Joining is the three-time consensus All-Big 12 first-team member in Carter.
It was unclear whether Carter would be back for her fifth year, but Clinton was not ready to see her teammate go.
“I felt like since my freshman year, Aliyah and I have always been close whether it’s on or off the court,” Clinton said.
Clinton wanted her teammate — and close friend — back so much that she made a call to her mother, asking for advice on how to keep the duo together.
“I kind of just called my mom and was like I don’t know how to make her stay,” Clinton said. “My mom gave me pretty good advice and I told Aliyah to really talk to your family about it, then make a decision.”
A few days later, Carter announced her return, making K-State volleyball a force to be reckoned with this fall.
After I asked coach his reaction to Aliyah Carter deciding to stay, Aniya Clinton pounded her chest and said “ALL ME”
So here’s ‘Recruitment Director’ @clintonaniya2‘s story on getting @aliyah_carter22 to stay in Manhattan@KStateVB pic.twitter.com/ijLiL5x2C4
— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) August 22, 2024
Clinton had skills with the kills last season, finishing second on the team for kills per set with an average of 2.84, only trailing Carter, who was fifth in the Big 12 at 4.06.
“I felt like last year was a good chance for me to get used to what I’m doing here,” Clinton said. “I feel like I have a lot more knowledge [now].”
Last season, Clinton started 17 out of the 27 matches played. Her role within the team will continue to grow this season after multiple 2024 graduates.
With an increased role comes pressure and expectations — but she feels prepared to handle it.
“Coach [Jason Mansfield] does a good job at putting us in pressure situations in practice,” Clinton said. “Because of that, I feel like in the game it’s a lot easier to go with the flow.”
With new additions and returning players on the court with them, Wildcat fans have an exciting season waiting for them, beginning with Purdue’s Stacey Clark Classic at 6 p.m. Aug. 30.
