Holy Cross senior named Gatorade Player of the Year in volleyball

Holy Cross senior Julia Hunt has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Kentucky Volleyball Player of the Year, Gatorade announced on Monday.

Hunt is the first Gatorade Kentucky Volleyball Player of the Year to be chosen from Holy Cross and the second Northern Kentucky player in the past three years, including St. Henry’s Taylor Preston two seasons ago.

The 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker amassed 678 kills, averaging 6.9 per set and added 290 digs along with 117 blocks, leading the Indians (23-12) to the district semifinals round of the postseason this past fall.

More: Washington commit Julia Hunt of Holy Cross named 2023 Ms. Kentucky Volleyball

Ranked as the nation’s No. 11 recruit by PrepDig, Hunt was an AVCA First-Team All-American and the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association Ms. Volleyball award winner. A three-time first-team all-state selection and one of only 12 All-American honorees by Volleyball Magazine, she was the state leader in kills and blocks in 2023 and compiled a hitting percentage of .311.

Hunt has volunteered locally as a youth volleyball coach and on behalf of the Big Sister Little Sister Mentoring Program. She has also donated her time to Rose Mission and as part of multiple community service initiatives in association with her church community.

“Julia Hunt has arguably been the best in the state for years,” Louisville duPont Manual High School head coach Richard Weaver said. “She doesn’t get all the recognition she deserves being in a smaller school in the Covington area, but her numbers across the board are outstanding. In my opinion, she was the best player in the state of Kentucky in 2023.”

Hunt has maintained a 4.11 weighted GPA in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball on scholarship at the University of Washington this fall.

On the basketball court, she has led the Indians to an 11-4 record including the All “A” Classic Ninth Region championship on Saturday. She averages 13 points and eight rebounds per game.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport.