By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Farmington Hills Mercy senior Jess Mruzik has been awarded as Gatorade’s national “Player of the Year” after earlier earning the state award for the second-straight season.

Mruzik – who missed the start of the high school season while leading the U-18 Team USA squad to a world championship in Egypt – returned to Mercy and led the Marlins to the Division 1 championship, their first MHSAA Finals title in volleyball.

A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Mruzik totaled 495 kills, 209 digs, 47 aces and 19 blocks with .635 kill and .540 hitting percentages. Mercy finished 59-1.

Mruzik also carries a 3.47 grade-point average and has participated in her school’s community clean-up effort and provided youth volleyball instruction as part of her club and local grade school programs. She has begun her studies at University of Michigan, where she will continue her volleyball career.

PHOTO: Farmington Hills Mercy’s Jess Mruzik winds up for a kill attempt during the fall’s Division 1 Final.