Volleyball star Ashley Wittman, who has led Shakopee to three state championships and has twice been named the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, was named today as the Gatorade national volleyball player of the year.
She is the third Minnesota high school athlete to be honored as a Gatorade national player of the year. The previous two were quarterbacks at Cretin-Derham Hall: Chris Walsh in 1991-92 and Joe Mauer in 2000-01.
Wittman now becomes a candidate for Gatorade's female high school athlete of the year award. The 6-1 outside hitter, who has signed with the Gophers, led the Sabers to a 32-0 record this season and their third straight Class 3A state championship. She is a two-winner of the Gatorade Minnesota volleyball player of the year award.
The announcement was made this afternoon at Shakopee High School, where two-time Olympic gold medalist Misty Mae-Treanor surprised Wittman with the award.
A story and photo(s) will appear on GameFaceMn later today.
John Millea is on Twitter at twitter.com/stribjohn
