Dec. 12, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina volleyball signee Taylr McNeil was announced Thursday as Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
McNeil, a 6-2 outside hitter, earns the honor after leading Eagan High School to the Minnesota Class 3A state title this season. She joins her older sister Kellie, who was a sophomore setter for the Gamecocks this season, on the list Minnesota Gatorade Players of the Year. Kellie won the award in 2010.
“We are very proud of Taylr for earning this well deserved award,” South Carolina head coach Scott Swanson said. “Taylr has made her mark in the state of Minnesota by leading two different high schools to state titles along with being named National Freshman of the Year in 2010. We couldn’t be more excited to have Taylr joining our program in January!”
A four-time first-team All-State selection and a 2013 second-team USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA selection, McNeil is now in consideration for National Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Winners of the state award were selected based on athletic accomplishments from the 2013 season as well as academic achievement and character, including volunteer work, sportsmanship and community leadership.
McNeil will come to Columbia with a lengthy list of accomplishments, including two state titles with two different teams. She led Lakeville North to the 2010 Class 3A state title. Below are her accomplishments:
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Minnesota High School All-Conference
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Minnesota HS All-State
2009 Prep Classic Tournament 14-1 Champions/Outstanding Player Award
2010 Pioneer Press Player of the Year
2010 Star Tribune Player of the Year
2010 National Freshman of the Year
2010, 2011, 2013 Kare 11 Athlete of the Week
2012 Fusion Showcase Tournament MVP/17’s All-Tournament Team
2010 Fifth place AAU Nationals 15s division/All-American
2011 Eagan High School Offensive Player of the Year
2013 Fusion Showcase Tournament 18’s All-Tournament Team
2013 Fifth place AAU Nationals 18’s Open Division
2013 Eagan High School MVP
2013 Star Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week
2013 Ms. Baden Finalist
2010 and 2013 Minnesota State High Championship Team/All-Tournament Team
2013 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year
2013 Second-Team USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA selection
