Meet the 2023 Peoria Journal Star Volleyball Player of the Year

Morton senior Gracie Jones helped lead the Potters to a fourth-place finish in Class 3A state volleyball, the program’s first since 1981. She is the 2023 Journal Star Volleyball Player of the Year.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton Gracie Jones is the Journal Star’s 2023 Volleyball Player of the Year. The outside hitter’s dominant performance helped lead the Potters to a fourth-place trophy in Class 3A state volleyball.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton outside hitter Gracie Jones helped lead the underdog Potters to a fourth-place finish in Class 3A state volleyball, making her the 2023 Journal Star Volleyball Player of the Year.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

The volleyball is covered with the names and jersey numbers of the 2023 Morton Potters volleyball team, including senior outside hitter Gracie Jones. The Potters defied expectations with a fourth-place finish in the Class 3A volleyball tournament. Jones is the Journal Star’s 2023 Volleyball Player of the Year.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton’s Gracie Jones shoots the ball against Wheaton St. Francis in the first set of the Class 3A volleyball state semifinals on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton Gracie Jones hits the ball against Wheaton St. Francis in the second set of the Class 3A volleyball state semifinals on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton’s Gracie Jones, left, shoots the ball as Wheaton St. Francis’ Shay McMillen tries to defend in the first set of the Class 3A volleyball state semifinals Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal SAR

Morton’s Kylie Berg, left, and Gracie Jones, right, defend against Limestone’s Anaya Sildal in the first set of a volleyball match Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets, 25-23 and 26-24.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton’s Gracie Jones dives for a limestone spike in the first set of a volleyball match Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets, 25-23 and 26-24.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star

Morton Gracie Jones (6) shoots the ball against Limestone in the first set of a volleyball match Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Morton. The Rockets defeated the Potters in straight sets, 25-23 and 26-24.

Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star