Akasha Anderson Named Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year
January 11, 2022 Author: Webmaster
Akasha Anderson, a senior OH on the Virginia Elite 18s team was named the Virginia Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year!
The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. The Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee administers the selection process for Gatorade State and National Player of the Year awards. All final selections result from a collaborative effort and are made by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee. One winner from each of the 12 sports is chosen from each state and the District of Columbia. The Gatorade State Player of the Year award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria:
- Athletic Excellence - Standout performance in their respective sport made at the high school, club, national or international levels of competition.
- Academic Achievement - Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions.
- Exemplary Character - Commitment to sportsmanship, character and community through membership and participation in positive activities.
Anderson is the 7th Virginia Elite athlete to be named a Gatorade Player of the Year and joins recent Gatorade Virginia Volleyball Players of the Year Amanda Lowe (2020-21, Blacksburg High School), Sydney Reed (2019-20, Flint Hill School), Krissy O'Malley (2018-19, Flint Hill School), and Elena Shklyar (2017-18, Langley High School and VA Elite class of 2018), among the state’s list of former award winners.
The 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter amassed 670 kills and 382 digs this past season, leading the Fighting Hornets (18-6) to the Class 6 state championship match. Anderson also recorded 76 service aces and 28 blocks while posting a .486 kill percentage and a .336 hitting percentage. The Region 6D Player of the Year and the Washington Post AllMet Player of the Year, she concluded her prep volleyball career with 1,076 kills and 474 digs.
Anderson has volunteered locally as part of voter registration drives, and she has donated her time at local food pantries. “Akasha was a standout player,” said Sheena Eldred, head coach of Yorktown High School. “She puts so much power behind her hits and can really mix up her attacks. She is a great passer and server as well.”
Anderson has maintained a 3.70 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball on scholarship at Auburn University this fall.
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