BE's Anna Warren wins prestigious volleyball awards

Anna Warren’s big year just got a lot bigger.

Warren is a standout for the Bishop England volleyball juggernaut, a program that establishes a national record just about every 365 days.

This fall, she played on a BE team that won its national best 18th straight state championship. She was recently named the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports (CAWS) state player of the year.

Saturday, she was back in the spotlight for her spectacular play. She was named the MVP of the North-South All-Star Games involving the best Class A, AA and AAA players from around the Palmetto State.

On winning the state player of the year award: “That was a great accomplishment,” said Warren, who plays hitter and is also on the back row. “I worked hard. To win that award, it was just awesome.”

On winning the North-South MVP award: “That was cool too,” Warren said. “All the players lined up after the match and they called my name. I was really surprised. That was great because all the players were very good. It was awesome.”

Awesome is a word that Warren uses frequently. It’s also the word to describe her play and outlook on life and sports.

She played on the junior varsity team for two years to develop her skills. She had a chance to play on the varsity team her sophomore year but passed up coach Cindy Baggott’s invitation because she knew her playing time would be very limited. She gained experience and moved up to practice with the varsity once the JV season was over.

Last year, she logged an impressive amount of playing time, but she said she didn’t have the confidence she has now. But being the best of the best can cause an attitude adjustment.

Warren is re-thinking playing volleyball in college, but still hasn’t issued an official proclamation. She said she wants to stay in-state, and if college started tomorrow, she’d probably be enrolled at the College of Charleston with a plan to transfer to MUSC’s nursing school after two years.

Warren says the discipline and success she’s experienced as a member of the volleyball team has helped her in her schoolwork and every other venture. She says it will also help in future endeavors.

“You learn a lot about yourself when you play sports,” she said. “Playing on a team that was going after its 18th straight state championship was nerve-racking but fun. Playing for BE taught me to never give up and to believe in myself. My parents told me to work hard and to go after your goals. They taught me to not give up if something bad happens.”

Warren heads up the CAWS Class AAA all-state team. She is joined by BE teammate Gwen Conway on the prestigious team. Conway also played in the North-South Game.

“I always have enjoyed playing with her,” Warren said of Conway. “She’s such a great player. I’m going to miss playing with her. We have been playing together since middle school.”