The Navajo Times, a newspaper based out of Window Rock in the Navajo Nation, named Xavier College Preparatory volleyball player Kaori Robertson to its all-star list.

A junior at Xavier, Miss Robertson is the first person not living in the Navajo Nation who has received the award, according to a press release. She received the award Monday, Dec. 9 in Shiprock, New Mexico.

She came to the attention of The Navajo Times because of her statistics and her progression in the volleyball, including winning a state championship last year. Miss Robertson is a defensive specialist.

“I am so proud of Kaori and her accomplishments on and off the court at Xavier,” Xavier volleyball coach Lamar-Renee Bryant said in a prepared statement.

“This award is special because it not only represents her efforts on the court, but she is being acknowledged by the Native American community. Kaori’s parents made the decision to pursue the best academic and athletic environment for their daughter and I am grateful they chose XCP.”

Playing since she was 8 years old, Miss Robertson dreams of playing in college and hopes a university will sign her. She is taking honors classes, including chemistry, French and U.S. history, and wants to major in the field of medicine.

Miss Robertson says she drew inspiration from her parents, who were the first in their family to graduate from college, and her recently deceased grandfather --- a veteran and all-time Bull Rider.

She lived in the Navajo Nation, a Native American territory of the Navajo tribe, when she was a baby and considers it her first home. She has many relatives who continue to live in the Navajo Nation, which encompasses more than 17.5 acres across northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah and northwestern New Mexico.