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Hernandez named Gatorade Connecticut Volleyball Player of the Year
For the second consecutive year, The Woodstock Academy has a Gatorade Player of the Year.
It was announced on Monday that Centaurs senior Paula Hernandez has been named the Gatorade Connecticut Volleyball Player of the Year.
Last year, Woodstock Academy Gold prep basketball player, Tre Mitchell, who is now starting at UMass, was the Gatorade Connecticut boys’ basketball Player of the Year.
"It's just so well deserved," said Woodstock Academy coach Adam Bottone. "We all know she is a tremendous athlete but she is also a really bright young lady who excels in the classroom as well. It's a great honor for her especially considering everything she has been through and had to overcome. All the adversity that she has faced. It's just awesome."
Hernandez came to Woodstock Academy as a sophomore following Hurricane Maria's devastation of her native Puerto Rico.
She led the Centaurs to Class L state championship matches in her first two years and to a state semifinal this past season when she finished with 500 kills and 622 digs.
She added 230 service points including 66 aces.
Over her 2 ½ year career at Woodstock Academy, she compiled over 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs.
“It’s been really fun here and really different from Puerto Rico. I would say that I played much more passionately because it’s a completely different environment and I loved it. Hopefully, I will be back in the future,” Hernandez said following the state semifinal.
Hernandez was named Connecticut High School Coaches Association Player of the Year last season.
"The Gatorade Player of the Year is another feather in the cap for her," Bottone said.
Hernandez recently announced that she planned to attend Eastern Connecticut State University in the fall.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy