Minnesota notebook: Wittman nation's top volleyball player

Just like that, the winter sports season is in full swing in the state of Minnesota. A number of interesting developments have occurred with teams, athletes and coaches across the state. Here is a look at some of those achievements, milestones and headlines that have been made as we head into the heart of the winter sports season:

Ashley Wittman Honored as Nation’s Top Volleyball Player
The Minnesota Gophers volleyball team made a strong run to the Final Four before losing to a tough Hawaii team in mid-December. While the Gophers are a perennial power, the addition of Ashley Wittman of Shakopee next year should help keep the Gophers playing at the elite level. How good is Wittman? The senior was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year this week.

Wittman, a 6-1 outside hitter, led Shakopee to three consecutive big school (3A) state titles, was a two-time Gatorade Minnesota Player of the Year and becomes only the third Minnesota high school athlete to ever earn a Gatorade National Player of the Year honor. The others were Chris Walsh of Cretin-Derham Hall in 1991-1992, and Joe Mauer of Cretin-Derham Hall in 2000-2001. Both of those athletes played football, with Walsh originally accepting a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami and Mauer at Florida State before signing with the Minnesota Twins.

Wittman was presented the award at Shakopee High School during a surprise visit from Olympian Misty May-Treanor. Wittman, who has a 3.87 GPA, led Shakopee to a 32-0 record this season and accumulated 569 kills, 294 digs, 50 blocks and 26 aces, along with a .662 kill percentage.

Minnesota’s Next Big Thing?
There have been a number of former Minnesota high school basketball players who have made headlines and attracted attention from some of the nation’s top teams. There could be another one in the making at Apple Valley High School. Tyus Jones is an eighth-grader, but he is already a standout at the varsity level and has already attracted the attention of Minnesota basketball coach Tubby Smith. Jones is six feet tall and has averaged just over 15 points per game through five games as the team’s starting point guard.



Speaking of Apple Valley: Wrestling Team Among Nation’s Best
It’s no surprise that the Apple Valley high school wrestling team is ranked among the best in the nation. The perennial power is traditionally among the best in the nation. But the #2 ranking the Eagles currently have (by the Amateur Wrestling News) is the highest in school history – and that’s saying something. The Eagles backed that up last weekend by winning the prestigious Minnesota Christmas Tournament in Rochester.  The Eagles scored 265.5 points, 22.5 points ahead runner-up Simley (243), and had four champions: Dakota Trom (125), Brandon Kinglsey (140), Steve Keough (160) and Jake Waste (171).

Basketball standout scores 3,000th career point
Minnesota Transitions High forward Kevin Noreen has been a scoring machine throughout his high school career. The 6-7 Boston College recruit added another milestone Tuesday when he went over the 3,000 career point mark for his career in a win over Park Center. Noreen scored 24 points to become the fifth boys’ basketball player in the state to reach the 3,000 point mark. Noreen heads into holiday tournament play with 3,018 points and within reach of the all-time state scoring record of 2,428 points, set by Cody Schilling of Ellsworth. Stay tuned as Noreen is sure to be able to rack up the points and challenge Schilling’s record if he stays healthy.

500 Wins For Woodbury Coach
Woodbury high school girl’s basketball coach Dave Preller earned his 500th career win with a 58-50 win over Minneapolis Southwest. Preller now has a record of 500-130 during his career. He is the 11th girls’ basketball coach in Minnesota to reach 500 wins.

Triton Standout Dylan Bungum Signs With Air Force
Dylan Bungum, of Triton High School in Dodge Center, has verbally committed to the Air Force Academy, his father, Dean Bungum, reported to Max Preps this week. During the 2009 season, the versatile Bungum (6-3/205) played quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back, while also returning kicks.

If you have a signing, a news tip, tidbit, statistics or story idea, please email Max Prep’s Minnesota writer Matt Krumrie at mattkrum@yahoo.com.