Mackenzie Wiggins named NJ Gatorade’s Player of the Year

<p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id="99815" first="Mackenzie" last="Wiggins"] led Sparta to their first sectional championship in program history. She added to her accolades by being named Gatorade’s 2020-21 New Jersey Volleyball Player of the Year. She is the first player in program history to win this award. </p> <p>The award recognizes athletic excellence, achievement in the classroom and exceptional character on and off the volleyball court. Winning the award for the state now makes her a finalist for Gatorade National Player of the Year. </p> <p>Wiggins led Sparta to a 16-1 record and taking down a powerhouse program in Demarest in the sectional final. Wiggins finished her career with 220 kills and 120 digs, which gave her 623 kills and 377 digs in her two seasons with Sparta after transferring from Texas. Wiggins finished her distinguished high school career with 1,312 kills. </p> <p>Wiggins will be continuing her volleyball career at Iona College after she signed her letter of intent in the fall. The full-rotation outside hitter will be a major asset to the Gaels with her live swing and quality passing. Her academic excellence was on display as well with a 3.83 GPA and off the volleyball court she volunteers as a coach as well as being a tutor. </p> <p>Other recent distinguished winners of the award are Immaculate Heart’s Anna Morris (2018-19, 2019-20), Julia Morris (2017-18), and Ramapo’s Elena Montgomery (2016-17). </p>