Dec. 20, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Incoming Mizzou volleyball freshman Jade Hayes (Ozark, Mo.) earned Most Undeniable Player (MVP) honors for Team Swagger in the Under Armour/AVCA High School All-America match, which was played last Saturday (Dec. 18) in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the Final Four festivities. Hayes, who was named Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight season last month, posted four kills on .429 hitting while dishing eight assists and pulling in four digs and serving an ace in the match.

An outside hitter during her time at Ozark High School, Hayes played as the libero and setter for Team Swagger on Saturday. She was one of 26 high school players selected to play in the match. Her efforts helped Team Swagger claim the third of three sets in the match over Team Shatter, which was led by Texas signee Katherine Bell.

Hayes, a product of Ozark High School, has been the state's top player at the high school ranks in each of the past two seasons and is the nation's No. 78 overall recruit according to PrepVolleyball.com's Senior Aces list. A two-time Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, Hayes led Ozark High School to a 2009 MSHSAA Class 4A State Championship and a third-place nod in 2010. She was named National Player of the Year in 2009 as well by PrepVolleyball.com.

After playing at the outside hitter position throughout high school, Hayes switched to the libero position for the USA Volleyball Youth Olympic Team and helped guide the team to a Silver Medal in Singapore as well.

For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.

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