By Brian Kapur; Current Newspapers

Upon entering the athletics wing at St. John’s, visitors encounter a trophy case commemorating the school’s various sporting accomplishments, including four D.C. Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year honors.

Last month the Cadets had to open up the case to add a fifth when senior middle Jeanne Westney was named the 2015 winner.

“I didn’t really know I was up for it,” said Westney. “It’s really cool. I know I’ll have a trophy in there, and I won’t be just a player that passed through. There will be something there to remember me by.”

When Gatorade made the announcement on Dec. 8, Westney joined former Cadets teammate Becca Bateman, who won the award in 2013 and 2012, and Darian Dozier, who received it in 2011.

Gatorade honors play on the court as well as academic and  community service accomplishments, and the St. John’s senior excelled in all facets.

Westney helped the Cadets roll to a 21-13 record and the D.C. State Athletic Association title, where she earned the tournament MVP honor. In addition, the senior was a first-team Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection while notching 429 kills, 273 digs and 91 aces.

“Jeanne Westney is a tireless worker,” St. John’s coach Bill Pribac says in a news release. “She is one of the first in the gym and the last to leave, and she constantly works on improving all her skills.

Her free spirit is a great influence on the team, and she exemplifies how a captain should lead both on and off the court.”

In the classroom, Westney posted a 3.62 GPA, and in the community she volunteered with the National Fragile X Foundation and gave back as a member of the St. John’s Cadets for a Cure campaign to benefit cancer research.

Westney will continue to play  volleyball when she moves on to the college level, suiting up for the University of Central Florida next year.

Northwest Current Newspaper