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📸 Credit: St. Charles District 303 E-News
A St. Charles North standout is bringing a major statewide honor home to the Tri-Cities. Haley Burgdorf was recently named the 2025- 26 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year.
Here’s what to know:
State’s top honor: Burgdorf was selected as the 2025–26 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year, an award that recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.
Big senior season: The six-foot outside hitter posted 435 kills and nearly 200 digs while helping lead St. Charles North to a 35–4 record and a Class 4A sectional finals appearance.
National recognition: She is a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and is ranked among the nation’s top recruits in the Class of 2026.
Strong beyond the court: Burgdorf carries a weighted 4.33 GPA and has volunteered at a local assisted living center, with Feed My Starving Children, and as a youth volleyball coach.
She’s headed to Penn State to continue her volleyball career this fall — and through the award program, she’ll also receive a grant she can direct to a charitable cause she cares about.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field.
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