KSU Volley Ball player
16 hours 37 minutes ago #493
by wvu4u2
KSU Volley Ball player was created by wvu4u2
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - The saying goes, ‘there’s no I in team’, and perhaps no high school athlete takes that more seriously than one volleyball player at Hidden Valley who has used her decorated career to bring attention to her school and teammates.
“I’m very grateful for it but I do not like talking about it much.”
Add humble to the list of adjectives you could use to describe Hidden Valley volleyball player Caleigh Ponn. The outside hitter has the VHSL record in kills and assists, and recently added another honor to her resume.
Ponn has been selected as the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year for volleyball, finding out about the award in typical teenage fashion.
“I found out with my mom running in my room at like 8 in the morning. She was like, ‘Caleigh you got it! Caleigh you got it!’ and I was like ‘oh goodness,’ not even awake,” she laughs.
The good news ‘wake up call’ was fitting coming from Caleigh’s mom, a woman who she’s also called ‘coach’.
Caleigh says her mom’s involvement in her career has elevated her game.
“Knowing I had to show up all the time,” Ponn explains. “Giving it my all no matter what. She was very disciplined and excited and she loves the sport and I think that rubbed off on me from a young age. Now I’m starting a chapter where it’s not through her, but it’s something we can still enjoy together.”
That next chapter for the back-to-back Class 3 State Champion takes her to Kansas State, where she looks forward to growing as an athlete.
“I’ve loved growing up in Roanoke and playing volleyball in Roanoke has been so much fun. I’m just excited for the new chapter in my life,” she says.
Before she officially becomes a Wildcat in the fall, Ponn has now added another honor to her resume, something she won’t brag about for herself, but instead for the attention it brings to her hometown.
“People are knowing small Roanoke, Virginia as something important for volleyball and I think that’s all you could ever ask for. I think it’s really cool and I’m really grateful for it.”
Caleigh is the first Hidden Valley volleyball player to be named the Gatorade Player of the year.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
See more at: WBDJ7
“I’m very grateful for it but I do not like talking about it much.”
Add humble to the list of adjectives you could use to describe Hidden Valley volleyball player Caleigh Ponn. The outside hitter has the VHSL record in kills and assists, and recently added another honor to her resume.
Ponn has been selected as the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year for volleyball, finding out about the award in typical teenage fashion.
“I found out with my mom running in my room at like 8 in the morning. She was like, ‘Caleigh you got it! Caleigh you got it!’ and I was like ‘oh goodness,’ not even awake,” she laughs.
The good news ‘wake up call’ was fitting coming from Caleigh’s mom, a woman who she’s also called ‘coach’.
Caleigh says her mom’s involvement in her career has elevated her game.
“Knowing I had to show up all the time,” Ponn explains. “Giving it my all no matter what. She was very disciplined and excited and she loves the sport and I think that rubbed off on me from a young age. Now I’m starting a chapter where it’s not through her, but it’s something we can still enjoy together.”
That next chapter for the back-to-back Class 3 State Champion takes her to Kansas State, where she looks forward to growing as an athlete.
“I’ve loved growing up in Roanoke and playing volleyball in Roanoke has been so much fun. I’m just excited for the new chapter in my life,” she says.
Before she officially becomes a Wildcat in the fall, Ponn has now added another honor to her resume, something she won’t brag about for herself, but instead for the attention it brings to her hometown.
“People are knowing small Roanoke, Virginia as something important for volleyball and I think that’s all you could ever ask for. I think it’s really cool and I’m really grateful for it.”
Caleigh is the first Hidden Valley volleyball player to be named the Gatorade Player of the year.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
See more at: WBDJ7
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