2025-26 Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year

In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade announced Kayla Nwabueze of the Bloomfield Hills High School varsity volleyball team as the 2025-26 Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year. Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics, and community.

The 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker and outside hitter amassed 751 kills and 358 digs this past season, leading the Black Hawks (39-6) to the Division 1 state championship match. Nwabueze also compiled 56 aces, 48 assists, and 43 blocks while posting a .491 kill percentage and a .372 hitting percentage. An American Volleyball Coaches Association Second Team All-American selection, she concluded her high school volleyball career with 2,217 kills, 1,127 digs and 396 blocks. 

When off the court, Nwabueze volunteers locally as an assistant at a pediatric dental office and as support staff on behalf of multiple community hospitals. The student-athlete also created her own beginning volleyball clinic and donated her time as a youth volleyball coach. Nwabueze has maintained a weighted 3.96 GPA in the classroom at the International Academy and has made a verbal commitment to attend Harvard University, where she will play volleyball, beginning this fall. 

As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner of their choosing. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations. Nwabueze will donate to the Super Spikers Volleyball Club in Abuja, Nigeria. “I chose this organization because they provide young athletes with access to structured training, mentorship, and positive role models, while also helping to create opportunities for personal growth and education through sport. Their mission strongly aligns with my belief that sports can change lives far beyond the court,” said Nwabueze.

Nwabueze appreciates the opportunity to share this accomplishment with the community, commenting, “I would also like to give a huge thank you to my teammates, coaches, and family for their constant support, encouragement, and belief in me. None of this would be possible without them. I hope this recognition can inspire younger athletes to stay committed to their goals and to always look for ways to give back to their communities.”