READING, Ohio — Carly Hendrickson always aims for perfection on the volleyball court.
"Carly is ultimately the hardest critic on herself," Mount Notre Dame coach Chris Lovett said. "There is nothing we have to add to it whatsoever."
Whether the 6-foot-2 MND junior outside hitter is in the gym, the weight room or working on agility and speed training, Hendrickson is never satisfied.
"I think I just want to see how far I can take volleyball," said Hendrickson, who verbally committed to the University of Florida in June.
"I've put a lot of work into it, and I plan to do that for as long as I can. It's not something I can go back and do when I'm older. I have to do it now."
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MND (5-0), ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps, was a 2019 Division I state semifinalist. The Cougars are in the spotlight again this season.
Through 14 games, Hendrickson had 105 kills.
MND was named Ohio's top team this preseason by MaxPreps. Hendrickson, 16, was named the state's top player.
"She is only a junior, and the things that she is doing already are, as coaches call, scary," Lovett said.
"There are things that we haven't taught. And you can't teach the height and the athleticism. But the way that she plays and the way she competes. I'm just watching certain plays last night (against Ursuline Sept. 1) and certain swings - you know you are watching a kid that has the potential to go as far as she ever wants to."
Hendrickson started to compete in club volleyball at 11 years old. She believed for a time that basketball would be her path in high school.
But, volleyball proved to be the best fit.
By the time she was in eighth grade, college programs were showing interest in her.
Hendrickson, who lives in Milford, continues to take the attention in stride. There were 25 to 30 college programs who had interest in her during the recruiting process.
"As far as spotlight, she doesn't like search stuff out," said Michelle Hendrickson, Carly's mother. "Even sometimes when she gets some sort of recognition she discounts a little bit, like, 'Oh everybody gets that.'"
Not everyone sees University of Florida coach Mary Wise walk around their school twice in a school year during a few recruiting trips. Wise, who has 958 career wins, is in her 30th year at Florida.
Hendrickson said the Gators program reminded her a lot of the Cougars.
"I knew I wanted to go to a program that their goal was to win a national championship because walking into a program - just like MND - where it's like a standard," Hendrickson said.
"It's almost expected. We expect it out of ourselves that they should go and compete every year. And that's exactly what Florida does. They've had plenty of appearances in the final four. And not only that, but it has the same culture that MND has."
Hendrickson would like play to play professionally overseas one day. But, for now she is enjoying the journey at MND.
"(Hendrickson) has the potential to be one of the best volleyball players to ever come out of Ohio, the city, the school," Lovett said.
"That's saying a lot when you have (former MND standout) Rachael Adams and a lot of other people that have played at the Olympic level and overseas. But, she has it if she continues to work and it's a lot of fun to see that."
