Bishop England volleyball player Cole Dawley is only a junior, but the talented student-athlete has already accomplished more than most seniors.

Dawley has committed to play for the College of Charleston despite having one more season to play. She's also has been named the Gatorade state player of the year ? again.

It marks the second straight year Dawley won the honor. The only other player in the state to win the award more than once is Pickens' Niki Anthony. She won the award in 2000, '01 and '02.

The 5-11 Dawley has been playing on the Bishops' varsity team since the eighth grade. She led the Bishops to a 36-0 record this season, including their sixth consecutive state title. She had 349 kills, 359 assists, 288 digs, 856 blocks and aces. She had a 94.2 service percentage and a school- record 98.3 setting percentage.

"Cole has grown as an all-around player this year," coach Amelia Dawley said. "She was captain of the team as a junior and led the team on and off the court. I am very proud of her efforts and applaud her desire to be a great player."

Dawley also is a good student with a 3.17 grade-point average.

The Gatorade award goes to the student-athlete who displays the best combination of athleticism, overall character and achievement in the classroom.

Dawley is a finalist for the national player of the year, which will be announced at a later date.

Soccer rankings

The South Carolina High School Soccer Coaches Association has released its preseason rankings, and the lists include the usual suspects.

Locally, Bishop England is in the top spot in both the boys' and girls' Class AA polls. The Bishops girls are aiming for their fifth straight state title. The boys' team won the title after losing three straight title games.

The Pinewood Prep boys team has won two straight SCISA titles. Fort Mill heads up the Class AAAA girls' poll, but the next three teams are from the Lowcountry: Wando, James Island and Hilton Head.

Here is the complete poll:

Boys

Class AAAA: 1. Dutch Fork, 2. Northwestern, 3. Irmo, 4. Wando, 5. Spring Valley, 6. South Aiken, 7. James Island, 8. Dorman, 9. Hilton Head, 10. Fort Mill, 11. Summerville, 12. Ridge View, 13. Mauldin, 14. Aiken, 15. T.L. Hanna.

Class AAA: 1. Greenville, 2. Riverside, 3. Eastside, 4. Socastee, 5. Brookland-Cayce, 6. Myrtle Beach, 7. North Myrtle Beach, 8. Dreher, 9. Daniel, 10. J.L. Mann, 11. Chapin, 12. Seneca, 13. A.C. Flora, 14. Bluffton, 15. Airport.

Class AA: 1. Bishop England, 2. Emerald, 3. Walhalla, 4. Hanahan, 5. Waccamaw, 6. Pendleton, 7. Batesburg-Leesville, 8. Wade Hampton (H), 9. Andrew Jackson, 10. Broome.

Class A: 1. Christ Church, 2. Academic Magnet, 3. Southside Christian, 4. Dixie, 5. Blackville-Hilda

SCISA: 1. Pinewood Prep, 2. Ben Lippen, 3. Cardinal Newman, 4. Hammond, 5. Porter-Gaud, 6. Hilton Head Christian, 7. Wilson Hall, 8. Heathwood Hall, 9. Beaufort Academy, 10. St. Andrew's.

Girls

Class AAAA: 1. Fort Mill, 2. Wando, 3. James Island, 4. Hilton Head, 5. Lexington, 6. Mauldin, 7. West Ashley, 8. Irmo, 9. Spring Valley, 10. Dorman, 11. Richland Northeast, 12. Summerville, 13. South Aiken, 14. Spartanburg, 15. Byrnes.

Class AAA: 1. Brookland-Cayce, 2. Eastside, 3. Riverside, 4. Dreher, 5. Greenville, 6. Myrtle Beach, 7. J.L. Mann, 8. Airport, 9. Socastee, 10. Chapin, 11. Wade Hampton (G), 12. A.C. Flora, 13. North Myrtle Beach, 14. Travelers Rest, 15. Belton-Honea Path.

Class AA-A: 1. Bishop England, 2. Academic Magnet, 3. Christ Church, 4. Emerald, 5. Southside Christian, 6. Waccamaw, 7. Woodruff, 8. Barnwell, 9. Swansea, 10. Pendleton

SCISA: 1. St. Joseph's, 2. Hilton Head Prep, 3. Cardinal Newman, 4. Hilton Head Christian, 5. Ben Lippen.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.