Madelyn Hutson, foreground

Brentwood Home Page news reports
University of Texas signee Madelyn Hutson, who led the Lady Raptors to the state Class AAA championship, is Ravenwood's first Gatorade Tennessee Volleyball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-5 senior middle hitter earned the 2010-11 award after notching 587 kills, 135 digs, 86 blocks and 76 ace serves. She was earlier named to the 2010-11 Under Armour All-American First Team.

Hutson also has maintained a 4.11 grade point average and volunteers at local nursing homes, youth basketball camps and on mission trips to repair hurricane-damaged homes.

“Hutson can play any one of the front row positions and she’s just a powerhouse,” said Kim Miller, head coach of rival Franklin High. “She’s 6-foot-5, hard to block, she’s got the total package.”

She is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in volleyball. Gatorade, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, recognizes one winner in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia for various high school sports.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court.

Hutson is the nation's No. 13 senior as rated by PrepVolleyball.com. She has played for the U.S. Girls' Youth National Team and is a three-time all-state selection.

Recent Gatorade volleyball players of the year from Tennessee include Megan Devine (2009-10, Dobyns-Bennett), Nicole Smith (2008-09, Page) and Hannah Shadrick (2007-08, Girls Preparatory School).