Ozarks' Hayes Named National Junior of the Year

By Mike Scott, KSPR Sports

Add another huge honor for Ozark junior Jade Hayes . The 6-1 middle hitter has been selected as the PrepVolleyball.com National Player of the Year.

Hayes verbally committed to the University of Missouri earlier this month, considered a top 50 recruit for her class in the nation. A 1st team all-state selection, Hayes was also named Missouri's Gatorade Player of the Year after leading Ozark to its first state championship in November.

Hayes notched a final four record tying 66 kills at the state tournament. Hayes amassed 556 kills, 366 digs and 129 solo blocks in 87 games for the 34-3-3 Tigers during the 2009 season.

Hayes already owns several school hitting records, but figures to play as a libero (defensive specialist) at the college level. A 3-sport athlete (track, swimming), Hayes maintains a better than 4.0 gpa while being active in her church. Among her goals is to one day play for the U.S. National Team.