For a list of the other Gatorade State Volleyball POYs, click here.

THE WINNER: Sarah Sponcil

THE BASICS

School: Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Grade: Junior
Position: S/OH
Height: 5-foot-10

Athletic achievement: She recorded 689 kills, 533 digs, 226 assists, 53 service aces and 52 blocks while posting a kill percentage of .600 and leading the Falcons (29-12) to the Division IV state final this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Sponcil delivered 123 kills in four state tournament matches and was selected as the 2013 Arizona Republic Small School Player of the Year.

Academic excellence: Sponcil has maintained a 3.12 GPA.

Exemplary character: She has volunteered locally as a peer mentor and as a youth volleyball coach.

THE PRAISE

“Sarah Sponcil always strives to be the best athlete in the gym,” said Veritas Prep head coach Wes Goodwin. “Her statistics speak for themselves but that’s just a fraction of her court presence. Her knowledge of the game is like that of an experienced college player. Her combination of athleticism, intelligence and mental toughness not only brings out the best in her teammates, it also brings out the best in her opponents.”

THE FUTURE: Sponcil has signed with Loyola Marymount.