#16
Karis Watson
6′2″Rock Hill, South Carolina
Karis Watson

Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6'2"
College: Clemson
Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

PVF Transactions: Signed a contract with the Atlanta Vibe prior to the 2024 Inaugural Season (10/27/23). Signed a contract with the Atlanta Vibe (6/30/24). 

Professional Experience

  • Atlanta Vibe - 2024
    • Tallied a season-best 10 kills on 19 swings in a road win over the Orlando Valkyries (1/26), adding on four blocks and three digs once again.
    • Tallied double-digit points for the second time this season, scoring 10 points in a match against Grand Rapids (2/18) putting down 6 kills with 4 blocks and 5 block touches. 
    • Tallied a season-high 6 block touches in a sweep over San Diego (3/2).
    • Put down 2 kills on 4 attacks and picked up 2 block touches in the Vibe's semifinal match in the PVF Championship tournament.
  • Athletes Unlimited (USA) - 2023
  • Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (France) - 2022-23
  • VC Kanti Schaffhausen (Switzerland) - 2020-22
  • VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen (Germany) - 2019-20
  • Atlético Voleibol Clube (Portugal) - 2018-19
  • Hylte/Halmstad (Sweden) - 2017-18
  • Tendring Volleyball Club (UK) - 2016-17

Coaching Experience

  • Volunteer Assistant Coach - Winthrop University - 2022

College Experience

  • Watson was a four-year letter winner for Clemson from 2011 to 2014, where she appeared in 88 matches for the Tigers.
  • Over the course of her college career, she saw action in 301 sets, including a career-high 119 sets during her senior season.
  • Watson's contributions to the team extended to her impressive statistics, as she tallied 459 kills and recorded 320 total blocks with the Tigers.
  • In her senior season, she achieved a .323 hitting percentage, amassing 236 kills over 32 matches. She tallied 10 or more kills in a match on seven occasions during the 2014 campaign, including a season-high 13 kills against Winthrop on September 6, 2014.
  • Started in 22 matches as a junior and posted nine double-digit kill performances. Notably, she established a career high with 16 kills against Winthrop on September 7, 2013.
  • Her contributions as a sophomore included competing in 11 matches with one start, collecting 11 kills on 33 attempts and adding 17 total blocks.

High School/Club Experience

  • Attended Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, SC
  • Prepvolleyball.com Honorable Mention All-American (Top 250 players nationally)
  • Lettered three years in volleyball and four in track and field
  • 2010 Under Armour All-America watch list
  • 2010 Team MaxPreps Player of the Year
  • All-State track athlete in high jump, triple jump and shot put
  • Three-time Region champion
  • 2010 Upper State Champion

Personal

  • Holds a bachelor's degree in parks, recreation, and tourism management from Clemson University and a master's degree in marketing management from the University of Essex in Essex, England.
  • Watson's father, Ken, played football at Maryland; her brother, Benjamin, played college football at Georgia before embarking on a professional career in the National Football League (NFL); her sister, Jessica, competed on the track and field team at Coastal Carolina; her brother Asa was a football player at NC State.
  • Played the viola in middle and high school, and also participated in gymnastics, soccer, and track and field in addition to volleyball.