Great Niece named Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year.

My Great Niece was just named 2010-2011 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juta3mj0CEo



UW Signees Take Top National Awards

Dec. 16, 2010

SEATTLE - Washington's two incoming volleyball recruits each have received two of the most prestigious individual awards in the sport to cap off their prep careers. On Wednesday, Krista Vansant was named Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Summer Ross was recently tabbed USA Volleyball Beach Female Athlete of the Year.

Vansant, from Redlands, Calif., was surprised with the award at her high school by former winner, World Champion and professional beach player April Ross (no relation to Summer). She had been previously named California State Player of the Year.

Rated the nation's No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2011 by PrepVolleyball.com, Krista recorded 589 kills, 299 digs, 33 blocks and 26 service aces this past season while posting a kill percentage of .557. She has also been recognized as an Under Armour All-American and the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1A Player of the Year.

"Without question, Krista is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the court and the impact her accomplishments have had on Redland East Valley's success," said Gatorade Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing Jennifer Storms. "But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."

Vansant Led the Wildcats (30-6) to the California State Division I regional semifinals. A 2010 USA Junior Nationals 18-Open All-Tournament Team selection and 2008 U.S. Girls Youth National Training Team roster invitee, Vansant also captured 2008 PrepVolleyball.com National Sophomore of the Year honors.

"This is such a prestigious award," Vansant said to the Press-Enterprise. "Look who has won this award: Kerri Walsh, April Ross and so many other greats. These are players I've looked up to over the years. To think my name now is there is insane."
A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Vansant from more than 403,000 high school volleyball players nationwide. Vansant is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

Past winners of the National Player of the Year honor have included four-time Stanford All-American Alix Klineman, three-time NCAA Champion Megan Hodge, and U.S. Olympians Logan Tom and Kerri Walsh. Gatorade National Athletes of the Year in other sports have included legendary names like Peyton Manning, Lisa Leslie, Kevin Garnett, Derek Jeter, LeBron James, and Emmitt Smith.

While Vansant dominated indoors, Ross made history on the beach. The Carlsbad, Calif. native became the first athlete of either gender to win both the FIVB Youth World Championships and the FIVB Junior World Championships in the same year.

 

wow!! Thats super cool Gary!!!!