BOISE, Idaho — Skyview High School senior setter Alex Bower on Monday was named the 2023-2024 Gatorade Idaho Volleyball Player of the Year after guiding the Hawks to their fourth-straight 4A state title.
The BYU signee posted 862 assists, 197 digs, 123 kills, 59 service aces and 40 blocks as Skyview rolled to a 25-win season and three-set sweep of Bonneville in the championship. The Hawks went undefeated against Idaho teams this year.
Bower averaged 8.6 assists per set and had a .440 hitting percentage in her last ride before heading to Provo this fall on scholarship. Her sisters, Eden and Whitney Bower, are part of the BYU program that finished the year ranked No. 18 in the AVCA poll.
The 5-foot-11 setter is the fourth Skyview player to earn Gatorade Idaho Volleyball Player of the Year honors and third in as many years. Bower joins former Hawks Alex Acevedo (2022-2023) and Eden Bower (2021-2022).
Bower was the lone student-athlete from the Gem State to land on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Team, earning a first team nod. PrepDig tabbed Bower as the No. 12 recruit in the nation, while she was ranked as the country's No. 25 prospect by PrepVolleyball.
“Alex is very deserving of this honor. She’s a fiery competitor, but thoroughly respects her opponents and the game," Bishop Kelly head coach Joline Armuth said. "She’s hands-down the best setter in the state and is also an offensive threat. Her defensive game is solid, especially for a setter, she serves tough and with intentionality and she’s a great teammate.”
The 2023 4A Player of the Year held a 3.34 weighted GPA, volunteered on behalf of the Sunny Ridge Nursing Home, and served as a youth mentor and conducted youth camps at the Nampa Rec Center. Bower also coached the 14s squad for the Crush Volleyball Club.
Bishop Kelly High School senior running back Peter Minnaert who was named the 2023-2024 Gatorade Idaho Football Player of the Year on Jan. 3 after turning 166 carries into 1,646 yards and 30 touchdowns this fall. Gatorade will announce the state girls cross country player of the year later this month.
Each year, Gatorade recognizes a player of the year in each of the 50 states and District of Columbia that sanction prep football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field. A Gatorade National Player of the Year is also awarded in each sport.
Each Gatorade Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. According to Monday's news release, grants have helped more than 1,600 organizations with a total of more than $4.9 million.
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