SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis freshman Alexa Edwards was named one of 20 finalists for 2016 PrepVolleyball.com National High School Freshman of the Year.

“Alexa is one of the best freshmen I’ve ever coached,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright. “She is one of the hardest workers in the gym and her volleyball IQ is incredible.” 

Edwards was selected among 150 nominated players that made “massive” varsity impacts as freshmen.

Edwards led the Troubadours to a 29-17 mark in 2016 and within one win of a berth in the California Div. II finals. The freshman had 31 kills and 22 digs in the state quarterfinal win over Whitney, the team that ousted St. Francis in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs; then added 22 kills in the NorCal finals loss to Valley Christian. Edwards averaged 4.1 kills per set and hit better than 24 percent on the season. She led the team with 526 kills and digs with 425. She was named to the Delta League first team. She was also named to the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team.

The National Freshman of the Year will be announced by January 31.

National Freshman of the Year Finalists

Isabella Bareford, 5-8 S, St. Anthony (Long Beach, California)

Sophia Bossong, 5-10 S, Siegel (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)

Logan Case, 5-8 S, Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Shania Cromartie, 5-8 OH, Leon (Tallahassee, Florida)

Sydney Dowler, 5-10 S, Green Hope (Cary, North Carolina)

Alexa Edwards, 5-10 OH, St. Francis (Sacramento, California)

Ryann Gregg, 5-11 OH, Corvallis (Oregon)

Ally Hall, 5-10 OH/S, Lambert (Suwanee, Georgia)

Camille “Birdie” Hendrickson, 6-1 OH, Logan-Rogersville (Rogersville, Missouri)

Molly Hunt, 6-1 OH, Delta (Muncie, Indiana)

Taylor Landfair, 6-5 OH, Plainfield Central (Plainfield, Illinois)

Emily Londot, 6-2 OH, Utica (Ohio)

Jess Mruzik, 6-0 OH/S, Mercy (Farmington Hills, Michigan)

Elena Oglivie,5-10 OH, ‘Iolani School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Danilynn Schell, 5-8 S/OH, Kelly Walsh (Casper, Wyoming)