Elmhurst University Athletics

Carlson was chosen as an AVCA honorable mention All-American during her junior and senior seasons, earning first-team all-region honors as well. Since CCIW began sponsoring volleyball in the 1986 season, Carlson became the first Elmhurst player to finish her career as a four-time all-conference selection. She earned second-team honors during the 2002 season and was also the first recipient of the CCIW's "Newcomer of the Year" award. She earned first-team all-conference recognition from 2003-05, becoming just the third Elmhurst player to accomplish the feat.

She ranks among the top 10 in several single-season Elmhurst records. Her 472 kills and 1,240 attempts in 2004 both rank sixth while her 616 digs in 2004 and 598 digs in 2003 rank sixth and seventh, respectively.

Carlson closed out her career as the Bluejays’ career leader in both digs and attacks, swinging 4,392 times and saving 2,099 opponent attacks over a four-year span. Her 1,549 kills ranked third (now fourth) and her 158 aces ranks eighth. She was named Elmhurst’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2005.

A star in the classroom in addition to the volleyball court, Carlson was named an ESPN the Magazine First-Team Academic All-American in 2005. She was also named the College’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2005 and 2006.