Caitlin Lonergan of Bozeman High School was named the 2015-16 Gatorade Montana Volleyball Player of the Year.
The award distinguishes Lonergan as Montana’s best high school volleyball player.
The 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter led the Hawks to a 26-3 record and the Class AA state title this past season. Lonergan recorded 452 kills, 358 digs and 41 service aces while posting a kill percentage of .440. A three-time First Team All-State selection, she was named the 2015 Class AA Eastern Conference Player of the Year.
Lonergan has maintained a 3.52 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally as a youth volleyball and basketball coach in addition to donating her time on behalf of the Gallatin Valley Food Bank and Eagle Mount, which provides therapeutic recreational activities for children with cancer.
“Caitlin Lonergan, in my opinion, is the best player in Montana,” said Vicki Carle, head coach at Missoula Sentinel High. “She has been rock solid since her sophomore year. She is the player that makes their team work. In addition to her skills, she is a team player.”
Lonergan is the second Gatorade Montana Volleyball Player of the Year to be chosen from Bozeman High School.
Lonergan has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball on scholarship at Montana State University in the fall of 2016.
Lonergan joins recent Gatorade Montana Volleyball Players of the Year Taylor Mims (2014-15, Billings Senior High School), Jace Henderson (2013-14 & 2012-13, Billings Senior High School), Kyndal Williams (2011-12, Helena High School), Monica Grimsrud (2010-11, Helena High School), Kelsey Williams (2009-10, Helena High School), Emily Carroll (2008-09, Billings Senior High School) and Ashley Welborn (2007-08, Billings Senior High School) among the state’s list of former award winners.
A complete list of past winners is available at www.gatorade.com/poy.