Dec. 17, 2008
WACO, Texas - Baylor volleyball signee Torri Campbell from Amarillo, 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 23rd 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 6-foot-2 middle blocker finished a stellar prep career by leading Amarillo High School to its third straight Class 5A state title. Campbell was named the No. 30 player in the 2009 recruiting class according to www.PrepVolleyball.com. Her national ranking is the second-highest in Baylor history. Stevie Nicholas was ranked the No. 2 player nationally in the class of 2000. Campbell also ranks as the third-best player in Texas and the No. 8 ranked middle blocker in the country.
Campbell will be the third Gatorade Player of the Year on the Bears' 2009 roster. Taylor Barnes was named the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006 and Brittany Ridenour was named the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year in 2008.
