Who is Avery Skinner? Everything about the Texas volleyball player who is leading USA's run for gold at Paris Olympics

By Soumik Bhattacharya

Modified Aug 06, 2024 18:11 GMT

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Volleyball player Avery Skinner looked impressive for Team USA in their quarterfinal clash against Poland on Tuesday, August 6. The 25-year-old scored 12 points to lead the side to the semifinals.

Playing as an outside hitter, Skinner converted 12 out of 25 possible attack points as Team USA defeated Poland 3-0. Skinner's side will now face Brazil in the semis, scheduled to be held on August 8.

Before her quarterfinal display, Skinner produced some impressive performances during USA's Group A clashes against China and Serbia, scoring 14 (12 attack and 2 serve points) and 13 (11 attack and two block points) respectively.

Here's all you need to know about Avery Skinner.

Avery Skinner: Family and Hometown

Skinner was born in Katy, Texas on April 25, 1999, to Brian Skinner and Rebecca Skinner. Her father was a basketball player who had played in the NBA for more than a decade. She also has a sister, Madisen Skinner, who currently plays for the Texas Longhorns volleyball team.

Avery Skinner: Educational details

Skinner completed her schooling at the HCYA High School in Houston. During her time there she also played for the school team and won two state championships. In 2017, she was admitted to the University of Kentucky and spent four years there.

In this span, Skinner competed in multiple NCAA and SEC collegiate tournaments for her collegiate volleyball side, Kentucky Wildcats. She also completed two degrees in interdisciplinary early childhood education and communication studies and disorders.

In 2021, she took a graduate transfer to Baylor University and competed for the Baylor Bear Women's Volleyball team in the fifth year of her career (due to the COVID-19 eligibility rule).

Avery Skinner has won multiple honors in collegiate volleyball (IMAGE: Getty)

Avery Skinner: Achievements of the volleyball player

In 2017 during Skinner's first year with the Kentucky Wildcats, she bagged 362 kills, leading to her inclusion in the SEC All-Women freshman team (2017). She was also a part of the Kentucky team that won the NCAA Championships in 2020.

Playing for the national team, Skinner clinched a silver medal at the 2023 NORCECA (North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) Championships in Quebec City.

She was also a part of the US team that won bronze in the 2022 Pan American Volleyball Cup. During the tournament, she also won individual awards for being the best scorer and the best outside hitter of the tournament.

Skinner's maiden volleyball contract came with Béziers Volley in 2022. She now plays in Serie A1 in Italy, having signed for Chieri last year.