Gatorade recently named Timothy Christian senior Abby Vander Wal as the 2024-25 Gatorade Illinois Volleyball Player of the Year. Vander Wal is the first student-athlete from Timothy Christian to receive the honor. In addition to celebrating athletic excellence, the Gatorade Player of the Year program celebrates academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Vander Wal, a four-year varsity player, led the Trojans to a 39-3 record during the 2024 season. Timothy Christian won the third-place trophy in the 2024 IHSA Class 2A state tournament, which concluded on Nov. 16. Vander Wal (No. 12) is pictured during Timothy Christian’s super-sectional victory over Latin School of Chicago on Nov. 11. The Trojans earned their trip to the Class 2A state semifinals with that super-sectional victory on their home court. After losing a semifinal match in Normal on Nov. 15, the Trojans finished their season with a victory in the Class 2A third-place match on Nov. 16. Vander Wal, a 6-3 outside hitter, recorded 455 kills and 220 digs for the Trojans during the 2024 season. She concluded her four-year high school volleyball career with 1,398 kills. Vander Wal has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas, where she will continue her academic and volleyball careers. Gatorade’s Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 different sports, as well as one national winner in each sport. As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sports, every Player of the Year winner also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the program has provided over $5.6 million in grants to more than 2,000 organizations.