STEPHANIE PREACH NAMED GATORADE AZ VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY STUDENT NAMED GATORADE ARIZONA VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR


Xavier College Preparatory is pleased to announce that junior Stephanie Preach has been named by The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE Magazine, as its 2008-09 Gatorade Arizona Volleyball Player of the Year. The award distinguishes Stephanie as Arizona’s best high school volleyball player.

“Xavier is extremely proud of her,” said Sister Lynn Winsor, BVM, CMAA, Vice Principal for Activities and Athletics. “This award is an honor because it recognizes Stephanie’s athletic excellence, but also her academic achievement and outstanding character, on and off the court.”

In addition to her volleyball achievements, Stephanie has maintained a 3.48 GPA, served as a member of Xavier’s Key Club, been a devoted parishioner at her church, and has volunteered for multiple organizations through Catholic Charities including St. Vincent De Paul and the Andre House mission.

The 5-foot-8 junior setter recorded 983 assists and 253 kills along with a .437 hitting percentage this season, leading the Gators (36-3) to the Class 5A-1 state title. The 2008 Arizona Republic Big Schools Player of the Year and a two-time First Team All-State selection, Stephanie also made 121 digs, 91 blocks, and served 58 aces for Xavier in 2008.

“Stephanie is probably the most complete player I’ve ever coached and I’ve coached a lot,” said Xavier Prep Head Coach Tim McHale. “She’s played out of position and been dominant, and she’s dominated at her own position. She walked in the first day of her freshman year and she was the best player in the gym then, and she still is today.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field. RISE partners with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.