Jan. 30, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball signee Taylor Barnes from Arlington, Texas, was named the state Gatorade Player of the Year, making her a finalist for the national player of the year award. The Gatorade Player of the Year, in its 20th year of existence, is considered by many the most prestigious high school athletics awards program in the country.

Each year, from the nominations received, a total of 10 athletes from each state and the District of Columbia are selected in football, volleyball, baseball, softball, and boys' and girls' basketball, soccer, and track and field. State winners are selected not only for their outstanding athletic performance, but for academic achievement and individual character.

The selection process is administered by Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine, which works with sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of top prep sports writers to determine the state winners in each sport.

The 5-foot-11 left-hander is coming off a spectacular prep career, which she capped by leading Martin High School to the class 5A state title. Barnes was a high school all-American, national senior and setter of the finalist, a three-time Fort Worth Star-Telegram Player of the Year and all-area first-team selection, as well as Dallas Morning News all-area first-team selection.

Barnes was the 55th-ranked player nationally and the 13th-ranked setter by prepvolleyball.com. She headlines a stellar 2006 class, which also includes Anna Breyfogle (Buda, Texas - Buda HS), Ashlee Cooper (La Place, La. - East St. John HS), Lauren Keeton (Groesbeck, Texas - Groesbeck HS), Katie Sanders (Katy, Texas - Cinco Ranch HS) and transfer Amanda Renz (The Woodlands, Texas - The Woodlands HS/Pennsylvania).