2025 Meritorious Service Award Winners
Each year, USA Volleyball presents Meritorious Service Awards to individuals and/or groups that provide outstanding contributions to the sport of volleyball across the country. Each Region is allowed to nominate and select up to five individuals or groups for this recognition each year. The Carolina Region is pleased to announce the following individuals as recipients of 2025 Robert L. Lindsay Meritorious Service Award. A listing of all previous winners of Carolina Region Region/Meritorious Service Awards can be found here.
2025 HONOREES:
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| Sarah Conklin |
Sarah Conklin – Sarah has been instrumental in growing Boys volleyball both in North Carolina and across the country. She has led the cause to get Boys' High School Volleyball as a sanctioned sport by the NCHSAA. In just three years, her efforts have seen the number of NC Boys High School programs go from under 10 schools to over 150 with a goal of a successful state sanctioning vote in 2026. She has also been active nationally with the First Point Foundation in growing Boys volleyball opportunities. She has served as the Youth & Junior Boys' Rep to the Carolina Region Board of Directors since 2022.
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| Steve Ellis |
Steve Ellis – Steve's involvement with the Carolina Region goes back all the way to the beginnings of the Region. A retired National Referee, Steve served as the first Referee Chair for the Carolina Region in 1981-1982. A long time player, coach, and referee, Steve was instrumental in the early operations of the Region. After taking a break from the Region due to his work as attorney, Steve has returned to volunteer with the Region now that he is retired. Steve was appointed as an At-Large member of the Board of Directors in 2021 and has concentrated his efforts on leading the board through a comprehensive Strategic Planning process.
The Carolina Region would like to thank each of these individuals for their continued support of volleyball in North Carolina! Without people like these, the Carolina Region would not be where it is today. If you have a chance to meet these honorees or any previous year’s winners, please thank them for their many contributions.
If you would like to nominate someone for a 2026 Meritorious Service Award, please contact the Region Office. Any person that works to promote volleyball in North Carolina in some way is eligible.