CHICAGO – Incoming Auburn volleyball freshman Akasha Anderson was tabbed the 2021-22 Gatorade Virginia Volleyball Player of the Year. Anderson is the first student-athlete from Herndon High School to be selected for the award.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Anderson as Virginia's best high school volleyball player.
Anderson is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, which will be announced later this month.
The outside hitter totaled 670 kills and 382 digs during her senior season to lead Herndon to the Class 6 state championship match. Anderson added 76 aces and 28 blocks while postings a .336 hitting percentage.
Her impressive resume also includes the Region 6D Player of the Year and the Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year honors. Anderson concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,076 kills and 474 digs while also maintaining a 3.70 GPA.
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, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.
The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.