On Wednesday, Texas fans rejoiced as Lexi Sun was named the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year for the 2016-17 school year.
Sun has signed with Texas, and the California native will soon become the first Longhorn volleyball player with the Gatorade award on her resume. Gatorade annually honors the top high school standouts in a myriad of sports that range from girls cross-country to football.
Gatorade began recognizing athletic achievements during the 1985-86 school year. Since then, 10 future Longhorns have been honored by the company.
FOOTBALL
- Garrett Gilbert (2008-09)
- Johnathan Gray (2011-12)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
- Susan Anderson (1985-86)
- Vicki Hall (1987-88)
VOLLEYBALL
- Lexi Sun (2016-17)
SOFTBALL
- Cat Osterman (2000-01)
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
- Ychlindria Spears (2000-01)
- Sanya Richards (2001-02)
- Bianca Knight (2005-06)
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
- Brendan Christian (2001-02)
No Longhorn-to-be has won a Gatorade Player of the Year award in boys cross-country, girls cross-country, boys basketball or girls soccer. The Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball during the 2015-16 school year, Kyle Muller was a Texas signee who eventually opted to join the Atlanta Braves’ organization out of high school.
