Rock Hill's Karis Watson Signs With Clemson Volleyball

Karis Watson, a 6'2" middle blocker, attends Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, SC. As a Bearcat, Watson was a three-year varsity letterman for volleyball as well as a four-year varsity letterman for track & field. In '08, `09' and '10, the Bearcats were Regional Champs and this year they were also Upper State Champs and State Runner-ups. Rock Hill was an astonishing 39-2 on the season. Watson was named to the South Carolina North All-State Team and was put on the Under Armor All-American Watch List.

"Karis is probably one of the best athletes that we have signed at Clemson," said Hoover. "She comes from quite an athletic family and has a tremendous amount of potential. She is a huge presence at the net blocking and can cover a lot of range. Along with her athleticism, she is a very smart player and a great teammate, she is going to be an exciting player to watch develop."

As a senior, she registered 367 kills and 113 blocks and hit .429 on the season. She registered 27 kills in the Upper State Championship against Hillcrest. Watson comes from a family with strong athletic lineage. Her father, Ken Watson, played football at the University of Maryland. Her brother, Benjamin, was a standout football player at Georgia and currently plays tight end for the Cleveland Browns. Her sister, Jessica, was a track and field athlete at Coastal Carolina until 2004, and her brother Asa is currently a sophomore tight end at NC State.