By Cosy Burnett
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how to manage crazy volleyball parents.
Cosy Burnett“The score is wrong!”
All it takes is one parent to yell out that simple phrase and an avalanche of shouts, whistles, yells and arms frantically waving at the scorekeeper begins. And once it starts, they won’t give up until the score is checked and re-checked. The scorekeeper has 3.2 seconds to flip the plastic number before “Score!” is yelled. If she flips too fast and they don’t see it, that’s also a problem. And if she accidentally flips the wrong side, parents work themselves into a rabid frenzy.
We’ve all seen it; we’ve all experienced it -- the crazy volleyball parent.
Now, I consider myself lucky because my parents have to share their attention with my four other siblings, which has kept them in a certain state of sanity. Most of the time.
Usually parent “over-involvement” is humorous and harmless, but it can also cause problems with team chemistry and individual performance. Sports can bring out your best and worst. The same goes for parents. This week I thought I would write a blog on how to manage the crazy volleyball parent.
Stop negative cheering
The game from the parent’s perspective is always interesting.
-- Parent of the defensive player: “Why can’t we get a block? Girls, close the gap!”
-- Parent of the setter: “Come on, pass the ball. Let’s get a pass this time!”
-- Parent of the hitter: “Higher sets! Push it up!” Or my favorite, “SET! THE! MIDDLE!”
Guess what? We hear it, and it’s not helpful. We all need each other to make a play and we need support, not blame.
Make a contract
I was once on a club team that had some overzealous parents. During our team bonding night, we decided to make our parents sign a contract. We wanted to start things off right, so we came up with a list of rules. At the parent meeting, we had them agree to the following:
-- No talking to coaches about playing time -- that’s our job.
-- No coaching from the sidelines.
-- No trashing on teammates or coaches.
-- Only positive cheering allowed.
-- No yelling at the referees or line judges when they make a tough call.
-- No lectures in the car ride home on how we can improve.
The parents laughed, but we made our point and the stage was set for the season.
Communicate
Let your parents know how you feel. It’s great that they’re passionate and involved, but you don’t want volleyball to be the core of your relationship. I always enjoyed a close relationship with my mom, but sometimes I just didn’t want to talk volleyball. She was so excited to talk about everything (the recruiting, the games, the plays), but once I let her know how I felt, she gave me my space. I need to “process” after a long tournament, and the only thing I want to discuss on the way home is which In-N-Out Burger we should stop at. I like to have “volleyball free” dinners at home and focus on other topics with my parents. It helps keep a well-balanced relationship, which I value.
Parents want us to be successful and reach our goals. They mean well; they love us. But sometimes we just have to lay down the law.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how to prepare for nationals – here.
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how to manage crazy volleyball parents.
Cosy BurnettAll it takes is one parent to yell out that simple phrase and an avalanche of shouts, whistles, yells and arms frantically waving at the scorekeeper begins. And once it starts, they won’t give up until the score is checked and re-checked. The scorekeeper has 3.2 seconds to flip the plastic number before “Score!” is yelled. If she flips too fast and they don’t see it, that’s also a problem. And if she accidentally flips the wrong side, parents work themselves into a rabid frenzy.
We’ve all seen it; we’ve all experienced it -- the crazy volleyball parent.
Now, I consider myself lucky because my parents have to share their attention with my four other siblings, which has kept them in a certain state of sanity. Most of the time.
Usually parent “over-involvement” is humorous and harmless, but it can also cause problems with team chemistry and individual performance. Sports can bring out your best and worst. The same goes for parents. This week I thought I would write a blog on how to manage the crazy volleyball parent.
Stop negative cheering
The game from the parent’s perspective is always interesting.
-- Parent of the defensive player: “Why can’t we get a block? Girls, close the gap!”
-- Parent of the setter: “Come on, pass the ball. Let’s get a pass this time!”
-- Parent of the hitter: “Higher sets! Push it up!” Or my favorite, “SET! THE! MIDDLE!”
Guess what? We hear it, and it’s not helpful. We all need each other to make a play and we need support, not blame.
Make a contract
I was once on a club team that had some overzealous parents. During our team bonding night, we decided to make our parents sign a contract. We wanted to start things off right, so we came up with a list of rules. At the parent meeting, we had them agree to the following:
-- No talking to coaches about playing time -- that’s our job.
-- No coaching from the sidelines.
-- No trashing on teammates or coaches.
-- Only positive cheering allowed.
-- No yelling at the referees or line judges when they make a tough call.
-- No lectures in the car ride home on how we can improve.
The parents laughed, but we made our point and the stage was set for the season.
Communicate
Let your parents know how you feel. It’s great that they’re passionate and involved, but you don’t want volleyball to be the core of your relationship. I always enjoyed a close relationship with my mom, but sometimes I just didn’t want to talk volleyball. She was so excited to talk about everything (the recruiting, the games, the plays), but once I let her know how I felt, she gave me my space. I need to “process” after a long tournament, and the only thing I want to discuss on the way home is which In-N-Out Burger we should stop at. I like to have “volleyball free” dinners at home and focus on other topics with my parents. It helps keep a well-balanced relationship, which I value.
Parents want us to be successful and reach our goals. They mean well; they love us. But sometimes we just have to lay down the law.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how to prepare for nationals – here.
Conrad CasteloWith a perfect record and a strong showing by other Illinois teams, Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.) takes over the top spot in the FAB 50 rankings.Although Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), the CIF Southern Section Division I champion, has a strong argument to be the new No. 1 team in the POWERADE FAB 50, the choice this week instead has gone to unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.).
Coach Bill Schreier's team improved to 36-0 on Tuesday night with an easy win over St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.) in the regional round of the state playoffs. The Tigers have been No. 1 in Illinois since the start of the season and have not slipped in a single match.
Also helping Wheaton Warrenville South in the rankings is the performance of teams from Illinois in general against other top teams from other states, including a win by No. 11 Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, Ill.) over No. 14 Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.).
If Mira Costa only had two losses on the season instead of four, or if the Mustangs had been completely healthy all season, then they'd probably not have dropped behind the Tigers earlier.
One of the reasons Mira Costa was seriously considered to jump past Wheaton Warrenville South is that the Mustangs beat previous No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles) 25-19, 25-22, 25-27, 21-25, 15-12 in last Saturday's CIF Southern Section Division I finals.
It was Mira Costa's first CIFSS title since 2008. Setter Jackson Carr had 58 assists and 10 blocks while outside hitter Chris Orenic had 24 kills and 10 digs.
Click here for the complete Week 10 rankings.
By Cosy Burnett
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she shares five tips to prepare for nationals.
Cosy BurnettClub volleyball season is winding down. Those 14-hour tournament days of florescent lights, deafening noise, lost water bottles and fleece blankets are coming to an end. We may have a regional tournament left and then we have a whole month or so before nationals. Whether you’re headed to Columbus, Florida or Phoenix, it’s time to step up your game so you will perform at your peak during your season finale. This week I thought I would blog on how to prepare to get the most out of your experience on the national stage.
Refocus
It’s normal to feel a little tired at this point of the season. Now is the time to refocus, make new goals and get excited about excelling. Talk to your coach about where she would like to see you at nationals and make specific goals to get there.
Be strong
Don’t get injured this last month -- you owe it to your team to be careful. Protect your ankles during long tournaments and avoid activities that could cause injuries, such as four-wheeling, skateboarding, or, in my case, riding a bike. Save it for your summer vacation. It’s also a great time to focus on your fitness routine. You’ll see results in your performance after a month of weight training … great timing! Stronger, fitter athletes perform better and are less likely to be injured.
Have fun
Team chemistry seems to be either at an all-time high or an all-time low at this point in the season. Either way, it’s important to reconnect with your teammates in a fun way. Have a team party, eat pizza and ice cream, and do anything that produces gut-splitting laughter. You will need good vibes going into nationals. Be positive and avoid negative talk about teammates or coaches. Don’t even listen to it. Spend your energy building up your teammates and supporting your coaches.
Keep organized
My volleyball shoes always seem to wear out exactly the week before nationals. I’m always rushing at the last minute to buy new shoes and then don’t have time to break them in. Evaluate your equipment needs early. I put my uniforms, good socks, extra spandex and everything else I intend to take in my backpack weeks before I leave so I won’t be crazy trying to find them an hour before the flight. My friend’s mom cleaned her closet and accidentally gave her jersey to Goodwill, and my friend had to scramble to borrow one from another team at the same club hours before her flight left.
Contact schools
Make sure to call or email your top 5-10 schools and let them know where you are playing. Find out if they will be there and invite them to watch your court. You’ve worked hard to get here; let them see how far you’ve come.
Playing at nationals is an amazing experience. It’s the highlight of the club season and it’s what your team has been working toward all year. Your efforts this last month can play a huge part in your personal performance and the success of your team.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog -- a Mother's Day special -- here.
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she shares five tips to prepare for nationals.
Cosy BurnettRefocus
It’s normal to feel a little tired at this point of the season. Now is the time to refocus, make new goals and get excited about excelling. Talk to your coach about where she would like to see you at nationals and make specific goals to get there.
Be strong
Don’t get injured this last month -- you owe it to your team to be careful. Protect your ankles during long tournaments and avoid activities that could cause injuries, such as four-wheeling, skateboarding, or, in my case, riding a bike. Save it for your summer vacation. It’s also a great time to focus on your fitness routine. You’ll see results in your performance after a month of weight training … great timing! Stronger, fitter athletes perform better and are less likely to be injured.
Have fun
Team chemistry seems to be either at an all-time high or an all-time low at this point in the season. Either way, it’s important to reconnect with your teammates in a fun way. Have a team party, eat pizza and ice cream, and do anything that produces gut-splitting laughter. You will need good vibes going into nationals. Be positive and avoid negative talk about teammates or coaches. Don’t even listen to it. Spend your energy building up your teammates and supporting your coaches.
Keep organized
My volleyball shoes always seem to wear out exactly the week before nationals. I’m always rushing at the last minute to buy new shoes and then don’t have time to break them in. Evaluate your equipment needs early. I put my uniforms, good socks, extra spandex and everything else I intend to take in my backpack weeks before I leave so I won’t be crazy trying to find them an hour before the flight. My friend’s mom cleaned her closet and accidentally gave her jersey to Goodwill, and my friend had to scramble to borrow one from another team at the same club hours before her flight left.
Contact schools
Make sure to call or email your top 5-10 schools and let them know where you are playing. Find out if they will be there and invite them to watch your court. You’ve worked hard to get here; let them see how far you’ve come.
Playing at nationals is an amazing experience. It’s the highlight of the club season and it’s what your team has been working toward all year. Your efforts this last month can play a huge part in your personal performance and the success of your team.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog -- a Mother's Day special -- here.
Vbshots.comLoyola (Los Angeles) has a few more hurdles to clear if it wants to claim the mythical national title.California's sectional playoffs are just about wrapped up, which means it could be one giant hurdle cleared by No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) in its quest to be the mythical national champion.
The Cubs got past No. 6 Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) in Tuesday's semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs with a three-set sweep and will meet No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) in Saturday's championship.
To hold off unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.), Loyola needs to win that title and then follow it up with a title in the CIF Southern California regional championships.
State championships in Florida and Arizona are now complete with Missouri on track to complete its championships this weekend.
Click here for the complete Week 9 rankings.
By Cosy Burnett
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, her fellow players wish their moms a Happy Mother's Day.
Cosy BurnettVolleyball moms are the best. They are special women who sacrifice so much. They are working moms who use their precious vacation days to go to tournaments. They are stay-at-home moms with multiple kids balancing it all. They are single moms. They are all supermoms.
Last year during AP testing, finals and preparing for nationals, prom decided to come along. I had a date, but no dress, and was in a state of serious panic to find one. I did not have a single hour to search for that perfect dress. So I did what any girl would do -- I put my head down and cried, thinking, “I guess I could just wear jeans.”
The next day I stumbled into my room at 8 p.m., exhausted and spent. I flipped on my light and was shocked. I looked around my room and jumped up and down. Hanging on anything that would hold a hanger were over a dozen beautiful dresses! Each one was different and had a pair of shoes to go with it. My mom had brought the store to me when I couldn't go myself. Needless to say, I found the perfect dress and didn't have to wear jeans. It wouldn't have happened without my amazing mom.
At a SoCal tournament over the weekend, I asked my teammates and some other volleyball girls to share their thoughts on their volleyball moms. This is what I got:
“My mom cheers for me, makes sure I’m well rested, and I know she loves me when she wakes up before 5 a.m. to go to my tournaments -- so lucky to call her mom.” -- Krissy Witous, Coast 17-1
“As a little girl whenever someone asked me who my role model was, it was never a famous baseball player or scientist, it was always my mom. There is no one in the world I could give more credit to as a caretaker, a role model and my best friend. I love you, Mom.” -- Caterina Rosander, Coast 17-1
“My mom is my best friend. I love her with all my heart. She is always there for me through thick and thin and has always been my No. 1 advocate when it comes to volleyball and life. I don't know what I would do without her. She's the first person I go to when I'm sad and she is my favorite person in the world. I love you, Mom!” -- Sydney Francis, Coast 17-1
“My mom is always there for me no matter what. She cheers for me and makes sure I’m wide awake before I play. She’s my biggest supporter.” -- Marin Longfellow, Coast 17-1
“Having a mom like mine means the world. She is always there when I need her. Waking up early for tournaments isn’t easy, but she is always ready to go. We have a good time together and she picks me up when I’m down. I love her so much." -- Victoria Dennis, Club West 18-1
“My mom has been a great volleyball mom for eight years now. She has sacrificed so much for me and supports me no matter what. She is the first one to comfort me after a good or bad game. I appreciate and love her so much.” -- Lauren Miller, Coast 17-1
“Having a mom like mine is hard to come by. She’s a firefighter’s wife and mother of three athletes. She makes so many sacrifices, like driving me to practice two hours each way 3-4 times per week, on top of working. ... She is a supermom.” -- Morgan Collet, TCA 18-Black
“My mommy has been the best mom ever and I am so fortunate to be given her by God. (I don’t know if she feels the same way.) She is my hero. Being a single mom is an arduous task and she makes it look easy.” -- Erika Conners, Coast 17-1
“My mom has woken up early to take me to tournaments, drove me to practice and even got a job to help pay for all the fees for me and my sister. Even with four kids, she makes it a priority to come to everything she can and support me. I love her and would not be the same without her.” -- Karly Shockey, Club West 18-1
“My mommy is always there to support me through my experiences. It’s amazing to know I have a special person in my life who will always be by my side whether it’s at the volleyball court or hanging out at home. Being a stay-at-home mom, she is with me 24/7. She is the best friend and best mom I could ever ask for.” -- Breanna Barksdale, Coast 17-1
“My mom is always there for me, sacrificing her time and money so I can play. She is my No. 1 fan.” -- Rachel Seals, Club West 18-1
“My mom makes volleyball fun by supporting me and watching me play. She always makes sure I have everything for practice and tournaments. Love you, Mom!” -- Lexi Reddick, Coast 17-1
“I can’t thank my mom enough for the countless hours she has spent in gyms, the long drives and the best salads. She is always there, the loudest fan for the team. She may not know the game well, but she pushes us to win. I don’t know what I would do without her.” -- Missy Pittard, Solana Beach 18-1
“My mom is here always cheering me on. She wakes up early, even on her days off from work, makes me food and comes to every tournament.” -- Jené Lee, Club West 17-1
“My mom makes my volleyball experience fun by always being the loudest person on the sidelines cheering for me and my team. She makes sure I have all my stuff, including food and water. She is the best mom ever and I love her to death.” -- Raena Borcuk, Club West 17-1
“My mom constantly cheers for and supports me. She never complains about getting up early and supplies me with endless amounts of food and drink. Love you, Mom!” -- Claire Manhard, Coast 17-1
We notice all you do, moms. We appreciate and love you!
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how to prepare for junior year – here.
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, her fellow players wish their moms a Happy Mother's Day.
Cosy BurnettLast year during AP testing, finals and preparing for nationals, prom decided to come along. I had a date, but no dress, and was in a state of serious panic to find one. I did not have a single hour to search for that perfect dress. So I did what any girl would do -- I put my head down and cried, thinking, “I guess I could just wear jeans.”
The next day I stumbled into my room at 8 p.m., exhausted and spent. I flipped on my light and was shocked. I looked around my room and jumped up and down. Hanging on anything that would hold a hanger were over a dozen beautiful dresses! Each one was different and had a pair of shoes to go with it. My mom had brought the store to me when I couldn't go myself. Needless to say, I found the perfect dress and didn't have to wear jeans. It wouldn't have happened without my amazing mom.
At a SoCal tournament over the weekend, I asked my teammates and some other volleyball girls to share their thoughts on their volleyball moms. This is what I got:
“My mom cheers for me, makes sure I’m well rested, and I know she loves me when she wakes up before 5 a.m. to go to my tournaments -- so lucky to call her mom.” -- Krissy Witous, Coast 17-1
“As a little girl whenever someone asked me who my role model was, it was never a famous baseball player or scientist, it was always my mom. There is no one in the world I could give more credit to as a caretaker, a role model and my best friend. I love you, Mom.” -- Caterina Rosander, Coast 17-1
“My mom is my best friend. I love her with all my heart. She is always there for me through thick and thin and has always been my No. 1 advocate when it comes to volleyball and life. I don't know what I would do without her. She's the first person I go to when I'm sad and she is my favorite person in the world. I love you, Mom!” -- Sydney Francis, Coast 17-1
“My mom is always there for me no matter what. She cheers for me and makes sure I’m wide awake before I play. She’s my biggest supporter.” -- Marin Longfellow, Coast 17-1
“Having a mom like mine means the world. She is always there when I need her. Waking up early for tournaments isn’t easy, but she is always ready to go. We have a good time together and she picks me up when I’m down. I love her so much." -- Victoria Dennis, Club West 18-1
“My mom has been a great volleyball mom for eight years now. She has sacrificed so much for me and supports me no matter what. She is the first one to comfort me after a good or bad game. I appreciate and love her so much.” -- Lauren Miller, Coast 17-1
“Having a mom like mine is hard to come by. She’s a firefighter’s wife and mother of three athletes. She makes so many sacrifices, like driving me to practice two hours each way 3-4 times per week, on top of working. ... She is a supermom.” -- Morgan Collet, TCA 18-Black
“My mommy has been the best mom ever and I am so fortunate to be given her by God. (I don’t know if she feels the same way.) She is my hero. Being a single mom is an arduous task and she makes it look easy.” -- Erika Conners, Coast 17-1
“My mom has woken up early to take me to tournaments, drove me to practice and even got a job to help pay for all the fees for me and my sister. Even with four kids, she makes it a priority to come to everything she can and support me. I love her and would not be the same without her.” -- Karly Shockey, Club West 18-1
“My mommy is always there to support me through my experiences. It’s amazing to know I have a special person in my life who will always be by my side whether it’s at the volleyball court or hanging out at home. Being a stay-at-home mom, she is with me 24/7. She is the best friend and best mom I could ever ask for.” -- Breanna Barksdale, Coast 17-1
“My mom is always there for me, sacrificing her time and money so I can play. She is my No. 1 fan.” -- Rachel Seals, Club West 18-1
“My mom makes volleyball fun by supporting me and watching me play. She always makes sure I have everything for practice and tournaments. Love you, Mom!” -- Lexi Reddick, Coast 17-1
“I can’t thank my mom enough for the countless hours she has spent in gyms, the long drives and the best salads. She is always there, the loudest fan for the team. She may not know the game well, but she pushes us to win. I don’t know what I would do without her.” -- Missy Pittard, Solana Beach 18-1
“My mom is here always cheering me on. She wakes up early, even on her days off from work, makes me food and comes to every tournament.” -- Jené Lee, Club West 17-1
“My mom makes my volleyball experience fun by always being the loudest person on the sidelines cheering for me and my team. She makes sure I have all my stuff, including food and water. She is the best mom ever and I love her to death.” -- Raena Borcuk, Club West 17-1
“My mom constantly cheers for and supports me. She never complains about getting up early and supplies me with endless amounts of food and drink. Love you, Mom!” -- Claire Manhard, Coast 17-1
We notice all you do, moms. We appreciate and love you!
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how to prepare for junior year – here.
By Walter Villa
Courtesy of Gary LyonsJunior middle blocker Caterina Rosander (right) has accepted a scholarship to St. John's, and gives much of the credit to her mom, Renata Rosander. "She's my best friend and the most dedicated and loving person I've ever met," Caterina says.
READ MORE: Cheers to you, Moms!
Caterina Rosander and her mother have been virtually inseparable for the past 17 years.
Their arguments are rare, and when they happen, they’re brief.
“We’ve never been mad at each other for longer than 10 minutes,” Caterina said of her mom, Renata Rosander, a single mother and a former model. “Whenever my mom and I get frustrated with each other, we’re saying ‘Oh, I love you’ pretty quickly.”
Mom isn’t the only one fond of Caterina. Her volleyball coaches, teammates and quite a few college recruiters have been impressed by the 6-foot-4 junior middle blocker.
Caterina, an only child, recently decided she will head to New York City in 2013 to play her college volleyball at St. John’s, earning a much-needed scholarship and fulfilling her mother’s dream.
Ariel Haas, who is Caterina’s coach at Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego, Calif.), said he has no doubts Caterina will be successful.
“Mentally, she’s a beast,” Haas said. “She’s determined and passionate about being the best. She tries to dominate each time out, whether it’s practice or a game.
“Physically, she’s finally where she needs to be. She has grown into her body. When I met her, she was a tall, skinny, awkward eighth-grader who didn’t know how to connect one movement to the next. But she’s gotten better each year.”
Caterina’s progress -- and the scholarship she has earned -- has vindicated her mother’s decision to move in 2007 from Fresno, Calif., to San Diego, where she felt her daughter would get the right training in volleyball.
Then again, Caterina said Renata has always been a devoted mother, willing to do anything to help her.
“She’s my best friend and the most dedicated and loving person I’ve ever met,” Caterina said. “I can always rely on her.”
Renata, 36, is now an insurance agent. But from age 13 to 20, she did magazine covers and runway work -- she is 6-1 -- and once filmed a commercial for Jordache jeans.
She got married at age 18 and had Caterina one year later.
After the divorce, Renata needed a more stable job. She quit modeling, got a two-year degree from a community college and then moved with her daughter from Maryland to California.
Growing up, Caterina sang in the choir, danced ballet and played soccer. But Renata, seeing her daughter’s height and athletic ability, insisted Caterina play volleyball. Caterina wasn’t a big fan of the sport at first but started enjoying it more and more each time out. By sixth grade, it was her primary extracurricular activity.
A turning point came in her sophomore year, when she made varsity for the first time, and Haas had a brief but impactful conversation with his young middle blocker.
“I asked her: ‘Do you want to play in college?’ ” Haas said. “She said, ‘Absolutely, I need to get a scholarship for me to make it work financially.’ ”
Haas pointed her in the direction of his star senior, Samantha Cash, who is now at Pepperdine. The coach instructed Caterina to watch and learn from Cash.
Last year, after Cash had graduated, Caterina became a co-captain.
“Samantha was a very hard worker, and that mentality rubbed off on Caterina,” Haas said. “She went from being feeble, quiet and reserved to blossoming into this aggressive player who wants to be set every time.
“As a captain, she took on the role of butt-kicker. She had to learn how to be demanding of her teammates without irritating or alienating her peers. She’s learned to push her teammates even when they don’t want to be pushed.”
Renata said her daughter’s determination to earn a scholarship is not a surprise.
“She knows I have a tight budget as a single mom,” Renata said. “While a lot of people around here drive Porsches, we make do with one car, and it’s a 2005 SUV with 110,000 miles. We go everywhere in that car.”
In spite of the financial struggles, Renata said she is grateful for the opportunity to raise her daughter in her own way.
Caterina has a 3.5 GPA and wants to study international relations and diplomatic affairs at St. John’s. She also had interest from Yale and Dartmouth, among others.
“People have asked me if I will move out to New York,” Renata said. “But, no, I have my job out here and I’m looking forward to having some free time.
“It’s been very rewarding. She has turned out to be a lovely, awesome girl, and that’s the best Mother’s Day present I could ever receive.”
Courtesy of Gary LyonsJunior middle blocker Caterina Rosander (right) has accepted a scholarship to St. John's, and gives much of the credit to her mom, Renata Rosander. "She's my best friend and the most dedicated and loving person I've ever met," Caterina says. Caterina Rosander and her mother have been virtually inseparable for the past 17 years.
Their arguments are rare, and when they happen, they’re brief.
“We’ve never been mad at each other for longer than 10 minutes,” Caterina said of her mom, Renata Rosander, a single mother and a former model. “Whenever my mom and I get frustrated with each other, we’re saying ‘Oh, I love you’ pretty quickly.”
Mom isn’t the only one fond of Caterina. Her volleyball coaches, teammates and quite a few college recruiters have been impressed by the 6-foot-4 junior middle blocker.
Caterina, an only child, recently decided she will head to New York City in 2013 to play her college volleyball at St. John’s, earning a much-needed scholarship and fulfilling her mother’s dream.
Ariel Haas, who is Caterina’s coach at Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego, Calif.), said he has no doubts Caterina will be successful.
“Mentally, she’s a beast,” Haas said. “She’s determined and passionate about being the best. She tries to dominate each time out, whether it’s practice or a game.
“Physically, she’s finally where she needs to be. She has grown into her body. When I met her, she was a tall, skinny, awkward eighth-grader who didn’t know how to connect one movement to the next. But she’s gotten better each year.”
Caterina’s progress -- and the scholarship she has earned -- has vindicated her mother’s decision to move in 2007 from Fresno, Calif., to San Diego, where she felt her daughter would get the right training in volleyball.
Then again, Caterina said Renata has always been a devoted mother, willing to do anything to help her.
“She’s my best friend and the most dedicated and loving person I’ve ever met,” Caterina said. “I can always rely on her.”
Renata, 36, is now an insurance agent. But from age 13 to 20, she did magazine covers and runway work -- she is 6-1 -- and once filmed a commercial for Jordache jeans.
She got married at age 18 and had Caterina one year later.
After the divorce, Renata needed a more stable job. She quit modeling, got a two-year degree from a community college and then moved with her daughter from Maryland to California.
Growing up, Caterina sang in the choir, danced ballet and played soccer. But Renata, seeing her daughter’s height and athletic ability, insisted Caterina play volleyball. Caterina wasn’t a big fan of the sport at first but started enjoying it more and more each time out. By sixth grade, it was her primary extracurricular activity.
A turning point came in her sophomore year, when she made varsity for the first time, and Haas had a brief but impactful conversation with his young middle blocker.
“I asked her: ‘Do you want to play in college?’ ” Haas said. “She said, ‘Absolutely, I need to get a scholarship for me to make it work financially.’ ”
Haas pointed her in the direction of his star senior, Samantha Cash, who is now at Pepperdine. The coach instructed Caterina to watch and learn from Cash.
Last year, after Cash had graduated, Caterina became a co-captain.
“Samantha was a very hard worker, and that mentality rubbed off on Caterina,” Haas said. “She went from being feeble, quiet and reserved to blossoming into this aggressive player who wants to be set every time.
“As a captain, she took on the role of butt-kicker. She had to learn how to be demanding of her teammates without irritating or alienating her peers. She’s learned to push her teammates even when they don’t want to be pushed.”
Renata said her daughter’s determination to earn a scholarship is not a surprise.
“She knows I have a tight budget as a single mom,” Renata said. “While a lot of people around here drive Porsches, we make do with one car, and it’s a 2005 SUV with 110,000 miles. We go everywhere in that car.”
In spite of the financial struggles, Renata said she is grateful for the opportunity to raise her daughter in her own way.
Caterina has a 3.5 GPA and wants to study international relations and diplomatic affairs at St. John’s. She also had interest from Yale and Dartmouth, among others.
“People have asked me if I will move out to New York,” Renata said. “But, no, I have my job out here and I’m looking forward to having some free time.
“It’s been very rewarding. She has turned out to be a lovely, awesome girl, and that’s the best Mother’s Day present I could ever receive.”
By Mark Tennis and Kirstin Olsen
It's the beginning of the end of the 2012 season with the completion of last week's state championships in Hawaii.
In the Division I state final, FAB 50-ranked teams Punahou (Honolulu) and Kamehameha-Hawai'i (Kea'au) hooked up in an epic match.
Punahou, the defending champ, won again, but it wasn't easy as the Buff'n Blu needed a fifth set to prevail 23-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-11, 15-13. KS-Hawaii's Evan Enriques, the tourney MVP, put on a show and finished with 42 kills.
Punahou had a balanced attack led by Tui Tuileta with 20 kills, Nicholas Andrews with 16 kills and Sean Gruebner with 15 kills and eight blocks. This marks Puanhou's 30th state championship in the 43 years the school has fielded a team.
State championships will be decided this weekend in Florida and Arizona with the various section championships in California getting into full swing.
Click here for the complete Week 8 rankings.
It's the beginning of the end of the 2012 season with the completion of last week's state championships in Hawaii.
In the Division I state final, FAB 50-ranked teams Punahou (Honolulu) and Kamehameha-Hawai'i (Kea'au) hooked up in an epic match.
Punahou, the defending champ, won again, but it wasn't easy as the Buff'n Blu needed a fifth set to prevail 23-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-11, 15-13. KS-Hawaii's Evan Enriques, the tourney MVP, put on a show and finished with 42 kills.
Punahou had a balanced attack led by Tui Tuileta with 20 kills, Nicholas Andrews with 16 kills and Sean Gruebner with 15 kills and eight blocks. This marks Puanhou's 30th state championship in the 43 years the school has fielded a team.
State championships will be decided this weekend in Florida and Arizona with the various section championships in California getting into full swing.
Click here for the complete Week 8 rankings.
By Walter Villa
Courtesy of Lisa Stahl"As soon as I picked up a volleyball, I knew it was something I was going to love," the 6-foot-8 Mitch Stahl says.
In the fall of 2008, Ray Frazer, his twin brother, Tate, and their cousin Kyle Diller kept noticing this kid at their gym in Chambersburg, Pa.
It was easy for the three volleyball players to spot Mitch Stahl. He was a 6-foot-6 eighth-grader who would soon grow to his current height of 6-8.
But for a full year, Stahl, who played basketball, resisted their efforts to get him to try volleyball.
Finally, the twins and Diller made a breakthrough.
“My cousin just gave Mitch a volleyball and said, ‘Here, hit this,’ ” Ray Frazer said. “We noticed right away that he had a natural swing for volleyball. It was like he was born for this.”
Stahl has exceeded everyone’s expectations, and then some. He recently became one of 19 players invited to compete for 12 spots on the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Junior National Team.
Stahl, a middle blocker, and the 18 other players will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a two-week training camp in August.
Stahl said he was at a study hall at Chambersburg High (Chambersburg, Pa.) when he found out the news. Since he was still at school, he was unable to call his mother and texted her instead.
“I was pretty excited,” he said. “I saw my number (on the USA Volleyball website), and I got a big smile on my face.
“Now I can work on representing my country, which would be one of the biggest things I could ever accomplish.”
He’s unique
What’s most stunning about the invitation extended to Stahl is that he only started playing competitive volleyball a little over two years ago -- February of 2010 to be exact.
Not only that, but of the 19 players invited to the national team training, 14 are already in college and four are high school seniors. Stahl is the only junior.
Courtesy of Lisa StahlMitch Stahl is the only junior who made the U.S. men's volleyball junior national training team.He’s also unique geographically. He’s the only Pennsylvania player on a team dominated by 10 California guys.
“My gut tells me Mitch has a really good shot at making the final roster,” said Terry Ranck, who is Stahl’s coach at Yorktowne Volleyball Club in York, Pa. “I looked at the roster and saw a total of five middles who will be competing for three, or possibly four, spots.”
If Stahl, 17, makes the final roster, he will be part of the U.S. team that will compete in the NORCECA Men’s Under-21 Continental Championships Aug. 27-Sept. 1 in Colorado Springs. The top two teams there will qualify for the 2013 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship.
Frazer, a senior who will play for St. Francis (Pa.) next season, said he will be following Stahl’s development.
“I’m really proud of him,” Frazer said. “It’s pretty awesome to (have taught) someone volleyball and see him make the junior national (training) team.”
Frazer was referring to those early days of Stahl’s volleyball development. Before he went out for the team, Stahl practiced at a pair of church gyms with the Frazers and another family.
In February of 2010, when the high school season began, Stahl became a varsity starter as a freshman for Chambersburg coach Kirk Crouse.
By June of 2010, Stahl was a starter on the Yorktowne club team that finished in 11th place at the Junior Olympics.
“He was extremely athletic for someone so young, especially at his size,” Crouse said. “He is also very intense and hustles.
“A lot of big kids are content to just hit the ball and relax. But Mitch strives to play 100 percent. He’s interested in all facets of the game, from setting to hitting to back row.”
Recruiting gem
Stahl, who can touch 11 feet, 9 inches, is considering college offers from Penn State, Ohio State, UCLA, Pepperdine, George Mason and Loyola-Chicago.
The college he chooses, he said, will be the one that can offer him a great education, has a standout volleyball program and a coach he feels will be supportive of him throughout his career.
Stahl comes from a tall and athletic family. His mother, Lisa, who is 6-feet, played basketball at New Mexico State and said she would have played volleyball if they had let her compete in a second sport.
Stahl’s father and Lisa’s husband, Tony, is 6-5. He turned down a chance to play basketball at Penn State, Stahl said, because he wanted to start an automotive body-shop business.
Stahl, who expects to pick a school by July, has a 4.01 GPA and is interested in studying architecture, engineering or computer science.
His immediate plan, though, is to lead Chambersburg (11-1) to a deep playoff run. He still plays basketball -- he averaged 10 points and five rebounds as a junior -- but he has made it clear that his priority is volleyball.
“As soon as I picked up a volleyball, I knew it was something I was going to love,” Stahl said. “I’m a passionate guy, and I love the fact that volleyball is intense from the first serve all the way through. I love it.”
Courtesy of Lisa Stahl"As soon as I picked up a volleyball, I knew it was something I was going to love," the 6-foot-8 Mitch Stahl says. In the fall of 2008, Ray Frazer, his twin brother, Tate, and their cousin Kyle Diller kept noticing this kid at their gym in Chambersburg, Pa.
It was easy for the three volleyball players to spot Mitch Stahl. He was a 6-foot-6 eighth-grader who would soon grow to his current height of 6-8.
But for a full year, Stahl, who played basketball, resisted their efforts to get him to try volleyball.
Finally, the twins and Diller made a breakthrough.
“My cousin just gave Mitch a volleyball and said, ‘Here, hit this,’ ” Ray Frazer said. “We noticed right away that he had a natural swing for volleyball. It was like he was born for this.”
Stahl has exceeded everyone’s expectations, and then some. He recently became one of 19 players invited to compete for 12 spots on the U.S. Men’s Volleyball Junior National Team.
Stahl, a middle blocker, and the 18 other players will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a two-week training camp in August.
Stahl said he was at a study hall at Chambersburg High (Chambersburg, Pa.) when he found out the news. Since he was still at school, he was unable to call his mother and texted her instead.
“I was pretty excited,” he said. “I saw my number (on the USA Volleyball website), and I got a big smile on my face.
“Now I can work on representing my country, which would be one of the biggest things I could ever accomplish.”
He’s unique
What’s most stunning about the invitation extended to Stahl is that he only started playing competitive volleyball a little over two years ago -- February of 2010 to be exact.
Not only that, but of the 19 players invited to the national team training, 14 are already in college and four are high school seniors. Stahl is the only junior.
Courtesy of Lisa StahlMitch Stahl is the only junior who made the U.S. men's volleyball junior national training team.“My gut tells me Mitch has a really good shot at making the final roster,” said Terry Ranck, who is Stahl’s coach at Yorktowne Volleyball Club in York, Pa. “I looked at the roster and saw a total of five middles who will be competing for three, or possibly four, spots.”
If Stahl, 17, makes the final roster, he will be part of the U.S. team that will compete in the NORCECA Men’s Under-21 Continental Championships Aug. 27-Sept. 1 in Colorado Springs. The top two teams there will qualify for the 2013 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship.
Frazer, a senior who will play for St. Francis (Pa.) next season, said he will be following Stahl’s development.
“I’m really proud of him,” Frazer said. “It’s pretty awesome to (have taught) someone volleyball and see him make the junior national (training) team.”
Frazer was referring to those early days of Stahl’s volleyball development. Before he went out for the team, Stahl practiced at a pair of church gyms with the Frazers and another family.
In February of 2010, when the high school season began, Stahl became a varsity starter as a freshman for Chambersburg coach Kirk Crouse.
By June of 2010, Stahl was a starter on the Yorktowne club team that finished in 11th place at the Junior Olympics.
“He was extremely athletic for someone so young, especially at his size,” Crouse said. “He is also very intense and hustles.
“A lot of big kids are content to just hit the ball and relax. But Mitch strives to play 100 percent. He’s interested in all facets of the game, from setting to hitting to back row.”
Recruiting gem
Stahl, who can touch 11 feet, 9 inches, is considering college offers from Penn State, Ohio State, UCLA, Pepperdine, George Mason and Loyola-Chicago.
The college he chooses, he said, will be the one that can offer him a great education, has a standout volleyball program and a coach he feels will be supportive of him throughout his career.
Stahl comes from a tall and athletic family. His mother, Lisa, who is 6-feet, played basketball at New Mexico State and said she would have played volleyball if they had let her compete in a second sport.
Stahl’s father and Lisa’s husband, Tony, is 6-5. He turned down a chance to play basketball at Penn State, Stahl said, because he wanted to start an automotive body-shop business.
Stahl, who expects to pick a school by July, has a 4.01 GPA and is interested in studying architecture, engineering or computer science.
His immediate plan, though, is to lead Chambersburg (11-1) to a deep playoff run. He still plays basketball -- he averaged 10 points and five rebounds as a junior -- but he has made it clear that his priority is volleyball.
“As soon as I picked up a volleyball, I knew it was something I was going to love,” Stahl said. “I’m a passionate guy, and I love the fact that volleyball is intense from the first serve all the way through. I love it.”
Kirstin Olsen/ESPNHSOtay Ranch knocked off No. 1 Loyola at the Redondo Varsity Classic and moves up to No. 6 in this week's FAB 50.The Redondo Varsity Classic offered an opportunity for some major upsets last weekend with nine POWERADE FAB 50 teams participating from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley.
There were upsets, including one of the biggest of the season, when No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles) was toppled in the semifinals by Otay Ranch (San Diego). The event was won by Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach.
Mira Costa, with USC commit Chris Orenic playing for the first time this season after rehabbing an injury, avenged an earlier loss to Westview (San Diego) in the semifinals and then defeated Otay Ranch 25-21, 25-21 in the final. Senior setter and George Mason commit Jackson Carr had 28 assists in the championship match.
Due to the tourney title, Mira Costa inched up from No. 4 to No. 3 in this week's rankings. While the team did lose to former No. 3 Esperanza (Anaheim) earlier in the season, that was prior to Orenic's return.
The more difficult decision was whether to keep Loyola at No. 1 or move up No. 2 Wheaten Warrenville South. Since Loyola still has a win over Mira Costa and could avenge its only loss later in the Southern California regional playoffs, the Cubs stayed in the top spot.
Loyola also will have to deal not only with Mira Costa and Esperanza in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs, but other top-ranked squads as well. Its strength of schedule would still trump Wheaton Warrenville South if both teams win out, but with one more loss for Loyola, an unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South would get the edge.
Click here for the complete Week 7 rankings.
By Cosy Burnett
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how to prepare for your junior year.
Cosy BurnettI had no idea how crazy junior year would be. It’s a tough year for academics, you’re busy with community service, weight training, practices, tournaments and, oh yes, recruiting!
Making a decision on college is, for many of us, our biggest decision yet. I was buried one week last month, taking my math final, studying for the SAT that Saturday, preparing for a tournament that weekend while still fitting in two recruiting trips. AAHHHHHH!!
I thought it would be great to write a blog on the things I wish I had known prior to my junior year. You can do so many things as a freshman or sophomore to maximize your options and reduce stress as a junior. As volleyball recruits, we need to do things on a different timeline from our peers, so get educated and get started.
Make academics a priority
You start high school with a clean slate, so why not go ahead and decide your freshman year to be a 4.0 student and see how close you get? We learn to manage our time with practices and training, so it’s natural to fit in time to study as well. It’s sad when academics keep an athlete out of her dream school, so be sure to keep your options open. Start taking the SAT/ACT early and take it as many times as you can. Scores should improve each time, and your top college choice as a junior may require high scores. Register with the NCAA clearinghouse as a freshman and talk to your counselor so she knows you need to meet the NCAA requirements. I know a girl who played for a junior college because she didn’t take the courses she needed in high school to qualify for a Division I scholarship.
Contact schools early
Start calling and emailing colleges your freshman year. Don’t pester them, but let them know you are interested in their school and fill out their questionnaires so they have your information on file. If it’s a school with high academic standards, the assistant coach is happy to talk to you about what grades/scores you need to get into the school. It’s good to know this early before you have blown it.
Visit colleges
I started making unofficial visits as a freshman. It seemed so early at the time, but it proved to be a great idea. By the time you are a junior, finding free weekends for school visits is challenging. It helped me to catch a vision of what’s possible and motivated me to work hard in school and practice.
Market yourself
Schools need to see you play. Make sure you let them know when your team is headed to a big tournament. If your team doesn’t play nationally, try out for a USA Volleyball High Performance team. The tryout alone is great exposure, and many college coaches are there.
You want to be the “full package” by the time you are a junior. Work hard now and you’ll get there!
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how she chose BYU – here.
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how to prepare for your junior year.
Cosy BurnettMaking a decision on college is, for many of us, our biggest decision yet. I was buried one week last month, taking my math final, studying for the SAT that Saturday, preparing for a tournament that weekend while still fitting in two recruiting trips. AAHHHHHH!!
I thought it would be great to write a blog on the things I wish I had known prior to my junior year. You can do so many things as a freshman or sophomore to maximize your options and reduce stress as a junior. As volleyball recruits, we need to do things on a different timeline from our peers, so get educated and get started.
Make academics a priority
You start high school with a clean slate, so why not go ahead and decide your freshman year to be a 4.0 student and see how close you get? We learn to manage our time with practices and training, so it’s natural to fit in time to study as well. It’s sad when academics keep an athlete out of her dream school, so be sure to keep your options open. Start taking the SAT/ACT early and take it as many times as you can. Scores should improve each time, and your top college choice as a junior may require high scores. Register with the NCAA clearinghouse as a freshman and talk to your counselor so she knows you need to meet the NCAA requirements. I know a girl who played for a junior college because she didn’t take the courses she needed in high school to qualify for a Division I scholarship.
Contact schools early
Start calling and emailing colleges your freshman year. Don’t pester them, but let them know you are interested in their school and fill out their questionnaires so they have your information on file. If it’s a school with high academic standards, the assistant coach is happy to talk to you about what grades/scores you need to get into the school. It’s good to know this early before you have blown it.
Visit colleges
I started making unofficial visits as a freshman. It seemed so early at the time, but it proved to be a great idea. By the time you are a junior, finding free weekends for school visits is challenging. It helped me to catch a vision of what’s possible and motivated me to work hard in school and practice.
Market yourself
Schools need to see you play. Make sure you let them know when your team is headed to a big tournament. If your team doesn’t play nationally, try out for a USA Volleyball High Performance team. The tryout alone is great exposure, and many college coaches are there.
You want to be the “full package” by the time you are a junior. Work hard now and you’ll get there!
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – how she chose BYU – here.
By Mark Tennis and Kirstin Olsen
Ed ChanPunahou clinched a division title last week and remains in the top 10 of the POWERADE FAB 50.
League championship tournaments this week in Hawaii will be followed by the start of state playoffs next week, but in other states there are still a handful of major tournaments to be played.
In Southern California, the Redondo Varsity Classic will provide an opportunity for nine FAB 50 teams to square off.
No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles), No. 4 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), No. 7 Westview (San Diego), No. 8 Otay Ranch (Chula Vista), No. 10 Dana Hills (Dana Point), No. 11 San Clemente, No. 12 Oak Park (Agoura Hills), No. 13 Westlake (Westlake Village) and No. 50 host Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) will all get together this weekend at the loaded tournament.
Since many of the teams also will be in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs, the Redondo tourney could be more important in the rankings to Westview and Otay Ranch, the two CIF San Diego Section schools.
This week's biggest mover in the rankings is new No. 15 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.). The Spartans went unbeaten at the Bellarmine Prep tourney in San Jose (Calif.), topping Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) in the championship match 25-18, 25-19. They went from No. 32 to No. 15 in this week's FAB 50.
Click here for the complete Week 6 rankings.
Ed ChanPunahou clinched a division title last week and remains in the top 10 of the POWERADE FAB 50.League championship tournaments this week in Hawaii will be followed by the start of state playoffs next week, but in other states there are still a handful of major tournaments to be played.
In Southern California, the Redondo Varsity Classic will provide an opportunity for nine FAB 50 teams to square off.
No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles), No. 4 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach), No. 7 Westview (San Diego), No. 8 Otay Ranch (Chula Vista), No. 10 Dana Hills (Dana Point), No. 11 San Clemente, No. 12 Oak Park (Agoura Hills), No. 13 Westlake (Westlake Village) and No. 50 host Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) will all get together this weekend at the loaded tournament.
Since many of the teams also will be in the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs, the Redondo tourney could be more important in the rankings to Westview and Otay Ranch, the two CIF San Diego Section schools.
This week's biggest mover in the rankings is new No. 15 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.). The Spartans went unbeaten at the Bellarmine Prep tourney in San Jose (Calif.), topping Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) in the championship match 25-18, 25-19. They went from No. 32 to No. 15 in this week's FAB 50.
Click here for the complete Week 6 rankings.
By Walter Villa
Courtesy of Dave RossSam Hunt, a star volleyball player at Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), will play football at Air Force next fall. "I've gotten more calls from colleges about Sam than any other player," Servite volleyball coach Matt Marrujo says.
This season is Sam Hunt’s volleyball finale, and it is looking like it could be a great one.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior middle blocker plays for Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), the No. 5 team in the POWERADE FAB 50 national rankings.
But after the season ends, Hunt will focus on a different sport. After competing in volleyball, basketball and football for much of the past three years, Hunt will concentrate on football for Air Force, where he will also study engineering.
Hunt, 18, and Servite volleyball coach Matt Marrujo both used the words “mature decision” to describe Hunt’s choice to attend Air Force.
“Right out of college, you get a guaranteed job in your field,” Hunt said. “Rather than going to another college and wondering if I will have a job after I graduate, here I get a guarantee.”
Added Marrujo: “It’s a great opportunity. I would love to see him play college volleyball. But he has always been up-front with us. There are more scholarships in football.”
Ed Chan/ESPNHSThanks to his great leaping ability, Sam Hunt was used on special teams last fall to try to block field goals.Marrujo said Hunt’s leaping ability has improved due to volleyball, which has helped him in football, where he plays wide receiver. In fact, Hunt was also used last year to get up and try to block field goals.
Servite football coach Troy Thomas said part of Hunt’s appeal for Air Force is that he can create mismatches because of his size and body control.
“He has huge growth potential,” Thomas said. “Being in a Division I weight room, you will see him put on 25 pounds and becoming a tough cover and a tough guy to bring down.”
Hunt played baseball as a freshman and didn’t play competitive volleyball until a year later.
He earned all-league honors as a junior, and Marrujo said it’s difficult to predict just how good he could have become had he played volleyball full-time.
“He jumped in with us right away,” Marrujo said. “I’ve gotten more calls from colleges about Sam than any other player.”
Hunt said he enjoys volleyball and dreams of winning a regional title (there is no state title in California), even though teams such as No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) and No. 4 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) could stand in the Friars’ way.
It was his brother, Ben Hunt, who convinced him to try volleyball. Ben, a 6-4 sophomore, is an outside hitter for Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
Ben said his brother could have been recruited by the likes of Stanford and USC had he devoted himself to volleyball.
“It (stinks) for volleyball to lose a great athlete like Sam,” Ben said. “But seeing him play football, he is great at that, too. Sam can pick up any sport and in a week look like a natural.”
Sam Hunt, who has a 4.0 GPA, said he doesn’t really have a favorite sport. He just loves to compete and enjoys whatever sport he’s playing at the time.
But it is fair to say that volleyball has helped him become a better wide receiver.
“In volleyball, you have to be quick with your footwork, moving side to side,” he said. “As a receiver, I need to be able to move laterally or vertically and go get the ball, really attack.”
Hunt ran a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash before last season, but he feels he got a lot faster as the season progressed.
And that’s what makes him such an intriguing prospect.
By his own admission, Hunt felt “rookie-ish” at the start of every season, always transitioning over from a different sport.
He felt he made a lot of “dumb mistakes” early in the 2011 football season before he started running better routes and making difficult catches look easy.
Air Force coaches have told Hunt that if he gains a bit more weight, he will be moved to tight end. Hunt would prefer to stay at receiver, where he can jump over cornerbacks and grab touchdown passes.
Hunt knows there aren’t a lot of catches to go around in Air Force’s run-dominated option attack but says he is “fine with that.”
He’s also fine with the rigors of basic training. His grandfather was in the Navy and worked on submarines, disabling bombs. Two of his cousins were also in the Navy and traveled all over the world.
Those family members -- as well as other people he’s met -- have said that basic training is much harder mentally than it is physically.
“My recruiter didn’t sugarcoat it. He said it was going to (stink) my first two years,” Hunt said. “But I’m willing to go through the discipline and toughness.
“It seems hard. The (drill sergeant) will yell at you. But people get through it every year.”
Hunt will owe the Air Force a five-year commitment after graduation. At that time, he will give the Air Force three options of where he would like to be stationed.
After that, Hunt is free to either re-enlist or leave the military.
But all those tough decisions are years away. For now, Hunt wants to enjoy his senior season of volleyball and would love to go out on top.
“Sam has the perfect build for volleyball and is very quick to the pin,” Marrujo said. “He reads the game very well for a guy who hasn’t played a lot. Because of football, he is a very strong and physical player at the net and hits the ball hard.
“I think there is no question he could have been a Division I volleyball player.”
Courtesy of Dave RossSam Hunt, a star volleyball player at Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), will play football at Air Force next fall. "I've gotten more calls from colleges about Sam than any other player," Servite volleyball coach Matt Marrujo says.This season is Sam Hunt’s volleyball finale, and it is looking like it could be a great one.
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior middle blocker plays for Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), the No. 5 team in the POWERADE FAB 50 national rankings.
But after the season ends, Hunt will focus on a different sport. After competing in volleyball, basketball and football for much of the past three years, Hunt will concentrate on football for Air Force, where he will also study engineering.
Hunt, 18, and Servite volleyball coach Matt Marrujo both used the words “mature decision” to describe Hunt’s choice to attend Air Force.
“Right out of college, you get a guaranteed job in your field,” Hunt said. “Rather than going to another college and wondering if I will have a job after I graduate, here I get a guarantee.”
Added Marrujo: “It’s a great opportunity. I would love to see him play college volleyball. But he has always been up-front with us. There are more scholarships in football.”
Ed Chan/ESPNHSThanks to his great leaping ability, Sam Hunt was used on special teams last fall to try to block field goals.Servite football coach Troy Thomas said part of Hunt’s appeal for Air Force is that he can create mismatches because of his size and body control.
“He has huge growth potential,” Thomas said. “Being in a Division I weight room, you will see him put on 25 pounds and becoming a tough cover and a tough guy to bring down.”
Hunt played baseball as a freshman and didn’t play competitive volleyball until a year later.
He earned all-league honors as a junior, and Marrujo said it’s difficult to predict just how good he could have become had he played volleyball full-time.
“He jumped in with us right away,” Marrujo said. “I’ve gotten more calls from colleges about Sam than any other player.”
Hunt said he enjoys volleyball and dreams of winning a regional title (there is no state title in California), even though teams such as No. 1 Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) and No. 4 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) could stand in the Friars’ way.
It was his brother, Ben Hunt, who convinced him to try volleyball. Ben, a 6-4 sophomore, is an outside hitter for Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
Ben said his brother could have been recruited by the likes of Stanford and USC had he devoted himself to volleyball.
“It (stinks) for volleyball to lose a great athlete like Sam,” Ben said. “But seeing him play football, he is great at that, too. Sam can pick up any sport and in a week look like a natural.”
Sam Hunt, who has a 4.0 GPA, said he doesn’t really have a favorite sport. He just loves to compete and enjoys whatever sport he’s playing at the time.
But it is fair to say that volleyball has helped him become a better wide receiver.
“In volleyball, you have to be quick with your footwork, moving side to side,” he said. “As a receiver, I need to be able to move laterally or vertically and go get the ball, really attack.”
Hunt ran a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash before last season, but he feels he got a lot faster as the season progressed.
And that’s what makes him such an intriguing prospect.
By his own admission, Hunt felt “rookie-ish” at the start of every season, always transitioning over from a different sport.
He felt he made a lot of “dumb mistakes” early in the 2011 football season before he started running better routes and making difficult catches look easy.
Air Force coaches have told Hunt that if he gains a bit more weight, he will be moved to tight end. Hunt would prefer to stay at receiver, where he can jump over cornerbacks and grab touchdown passes.
Hunt knows there aren’t a lot of catches to go around in Air Force’s run-dominated option attack but says he is “fine with that.”
He’s also fine with the rigors of basic training. His grandfather was in the Navy and worked on submarines, disabling bombs. Two of his cousins were also in the Navy and traveled all over the world.
Those family members -- as well as other people he’s met -- have said that basic training is much harder mentally than it is physically.
“My recruiter didn’t sugarcoat it. He said it was going to (stink) my first two years,” Hunt said. “But I’m willing to go through the discipline and toughness.
“It seems hard. The (drill sergeant) will yell at you. But people get through it every year.”
Hunt will owe the Air Force a five-year commitment after graduation. At that time, he will give the Air Force three options of where he would like to be stationed.
After that, Hunt is free to either re-enlist or leave the military.
But all those tough decisions are years away. For now, Hunt wants to enjoy his senior season of volleyball and would love to go out on top.
“Sam has the perfect build for volleyball and is very quick to the pin,” Marrujo said. “He reads the game very well for a guy who hasn’t played a lot. Because of football, he is a very strong and physical player at the net and hits the ball hard.
“I think there is no question he could have been a Division I volleyball player.”
By Kirstin Olsen
MORE FROM LONE STAR CLASSIC: Photo gallery
The 25th annual Lone Star Classic National Qualifier hosted 1,400 of some of the best teams in the nation this past weekend. The majority were Texas teams competing for bragging rights in their state and a bid to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships in June and July.
In the 18 Open division, Skyline 18 RSB Royal took down Austin Juniors 18 Mizuno 25-23, 25-21. The two all-star teams boasted some of the cream of the crop in Texas, including ESPNHS All Americans Amy Neal, Katy Beals and Molly McCage for Austin Juniors and Andie Malloy of Skyline Dallas.
In the 17 Open division, TAV 17 Blue cruised to the gold bracket title with a 25-11, 25-20 win over Kuikahi 17 Wahine. TAV boasts second-team ESPNHS All-American Ebony Nwanebu.
In the 16 Open division, Houston Juniors 26 Elite took down Skyline 16 RSB Black in the gold bracket final, 25-20, 25-27, 15-12. Houston Juniors boasts LSU commit Mylan Eugene.
Inky Ajanaku, 2012, Club One 18 Black
Her Club One team plays in the National division, but this Stanford commit and Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Okla.) senior stands out. The true middle plays outside hitter for her club team and hits high and hard over the block. It is easy to see why she was the Gatorade State Player of the year in Oklahoma and was named to the ESPNHS All-American first team.
Molly McCage, 2012, Austin Juniors 18 Mizuno
McCage is a woman among girls on the court. The Texas commit and Klein Collins (Spring, Texas) senior has an impressive vertical and is versatile in the middle with her attack in front or behind the setter. She has a great stature and will be an asset for Longhorns coach Jerritt Elliott next year.
Chloe Collins, 2013, Houston Juniors 17 Elite
She's only 5-8, but Collins plays much bigger than that. The lefty Texas commit runs a 6-2 offense setting and hitting for her team. The senior at Cypress Woods (Cypress, Texas) is a great athlete and has an explosive vertical leap.
Tayler Higgins, 2013, Kuikahi 17 Wahine
This 5-8 junior setter and Hawaii commit helped run the show for the Wahine. Higgins is the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Hawaii and a key member of state championship team at Punahou (Honolulu). Her team played great defense and she continued to feed her hitters and spread the ball around to get them optimal opportunities to score.
Haleigh Nelson, 2013, Triangle 17 Black
The 6-4 middle blocker was solid in the front row all weekend and helped her team to a fourth-place finish. The junior at Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) has not committed to a school, but with her height and skill she'll be a great addition to any Division I program.
Bob Booth for ESPNHSSarah Sponcil of Spiral jump sets at the Lone Star Classic.Ebony Nwanebu, 2013, TAV 17 Black
This 6-foot-4 USC commit is coming into her own after helping her team win the 17 Open division. Her stature and size are a college coach’s dream, and now she is taking advantage of those assets. She would absolutely punish the opposing team's outside hitters with her solid block, and she led her team in points as well. Under the tutelage of TAV coach Ping Cao, Nwanebu, a junior at Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas), will surely improve even more before she goes to USC.
Elizabeth Shurbet, 2013, Alamo 17 Keapa Premier
This fiery little setter is fun to watch. She is a great athlete and hustles for every ball. The Kansas State commit sets consistently and will be an asset to the Wildcats in 2013.
Sarah Sponcil, 2014, Spiral 16 Black
The 5-foot-10 setter is wise beyond her years. She is the best athlete on her team and is an excellent competitor. Her volleyball IQ is high for her age, and she fights for every ball. The Veritas Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) sophomore is getting a lot of looks from college coaches and will be an excellent player at the next level.
Ashlie Reasor, 2014, Alamo 16 Kaepa Premier
This solid lefty opposite is a major contributor for her team’s offense. Her 6-1 frame and whip of an arm has caught college coaches' eyes. The sophomore at Ronald Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) helped lead her Alamo team to a sixth-place finish.
Abby Detering, 2014, Academy Cleveland 16 N Harvey
The 6-1 lefty from Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio) is a great asset for her team with great hands and an explosive attack. Only a sophomore, the News Herald Player of the Year has a bright future with interest from Ohio State, Illinois, Alabama, Iowa and FSU.
MORE FROM LONE STAR CLASSIC: Photo gallery
The 25th annual Lone Star Classic National Qualifier hosted 1,400 of some of the best teams in the nation this past weekend. The majority were Texas teams competing for bragging rights in their state and a bid to the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships in June and July.
In the 18 Open division, Skyline 18 RSB Royal took down Austin Juniors 18 Mizuno 25-23, 25-21. The two all-star teams boasted some of the cream of the crop in Texas, including ESPNHS All Americans Amy Neal, Katy Beals and Molly McCage for Austin Juniors and Andie Malloy of Skyline Dallas.
In the 17 Open division, TAV 17 Blue cruised to the gold bracket title with a 25-11, 25-20 win over Kuikahi 17 Wahine. TAV boasts second-team ESPNHS All-American Ebony Nwanebu.
In the 16 Open division, Houston Juniors 26 Elite took down Skyline 16 RSB Black in the gold bracket final, 25-20, 25-27, 15-12. Houston Juniors boasts LSU commit Mylan Eugene.
Inky Ajanaku, 2012, Club One 18 Black
Her Club One team plays in the National division, but this Stanford commit and Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Okla.) senior stands out. The true middle plays outside hitter for her club team and hits high and hard over the block. It is easy to see why she was the Gatorade State Player of the year in Oklahoma and was named to the ESPNHS All-American first team.
Molly McCage, 2012, Austin Juniors 18 Mizuno
McCage is a woman among girls on the court. The Texas commit and Klein Collins (Spring, Texas) senior has an impressive vertical and is versatile in the middle with her attack in front or behind the setter. She has a great stature and will be an asset for Longhorns coach Jerritt Elliott next year.
Chloe Collins, 2013, Houston Juniors 17 Elite
She's only 5-8, but Collins plays much bigger than that. The lefty Texas commit runs a 6-2 offense setting and hitting for her team. The senior at Cypress Woods (Cypress, Texas) is a great athlete and has an explosive vertical leap.
Tayler Higgins, 2013, Kuikahi 17 Wahine
This 5-8 junior setter and Hawaii commit helped run the show for the Wahine. Higgins is the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Hawaii and a key member of state championship team at Punahou (Honolulu). Her team played great defense and she continued to feed her hitters and spread the ball around to get them optimal opportunities to score.
Haleigh Nelson, 2013, Triangle 17 Black
The 6-4 middle blocker was solid in the front row all weekend and helped her team to a fourth-place finish. The junior at Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) has not committed to a school, but with her height and skill she'll be a great addition to any Division I program.
Bob Booth for ESPNHSSarah Sponcil of Spiral jump sets at the Lone Star Classic.This 6-foot-4 USC commit is coming into her own after helping her team win the 17 Open division. Her stature and size are a college coach’s dream, and now she is taking advantage of those assets. She would absolutely punish the opposing team's outside hitters with her solid block, and she led her team in points as well. Under the tutelage of TAV coach Ping Cao, Nwanebu, a junior at Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas), will surely improve even more before she goes to USC.
Elizabeth Shurbet, 2013, Alamo 17 Keapa Premier
This fiery little setter is fun to watch. She is a great athlete and hustles for every ball. The Kansas State commit sets consistently and will be an asset to the Wildcats in 2013.
Sarah Sponcil, 2014, Spiral 16 Black
The 5-foot-10 setter is wise beyond her years. She is the best athlete on her team and is an excellent competitor. Her volleyball IQ is high for her age, and she fights for every ball. The Veritas Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) sophomore is getting a lot of looks from college coaches and will be an excellent player at the next level.
Ashlie Reasor, 2014, Alamo 16 Kaepa Premier
This solid lefty opposite is a major contributor for her team’s offense. Her 6-1 frame and whip of an arm has caught college coaches' eyes. The sophomore at Ronald Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) helped lead her Alamo team to a sixth-place finish.
Abby Detering, 2014, Academy Cleveland 16 N Harvey
The 6-1 lefty from Lake Catholic (Mentor, Ohio) is a great asset for her team with great hands and an explosive attack. Only a sophomore, the News Herald Player of the Year has a bright future with interest from Ohio State, Illinois, Alabama, Iowa and FSU.
By Cosy Burnett
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how she decided to go to Brigham Young University.
When I was 12 years old, I decided it was time to make my entree into college recruiting. I looked up the phone number of the head coach of BYU (my dream school) on the Internet and called her and left a message.
It went something like this ...
Courtesy of Cosy BurnettCosy Burnett poses next to the BYU logo on the back of her car.“Hi, my name is Cosy Burnett, I’m 12, I’m 6-foot tall and play middle blocker for Wave 13-1s in San Diego. You don’t know me, but I’m going to go to BYU and play for you some day, so I thought it would be a great idea if we met. I’ll be at Junior Olympics in Dallas next week, so come by our court and watch our team win the gold.”
She didn’t come, as far as I know, but when I went to camp later that summer with hundreds of girls, the coach paused when she called my name and looked up and said, “So YOU are Cosy.”
Choices
As time progressed and other schools became interested in me, I opened my mind to a lot of different options and experiences. I was really lucky to have some great choices and flattered to have offers from the best schools and programs in the country -- schools that I would have never dreamed I could go to.
I had a coach from a top program give me some great advice my freshman year. He said to keep a list of my top five schools, and only five. If I liked a new school, I needed to evaluate it compared to my top five, and if I brought it up, I would need to drop one down. This helped me keep things simple and organized when recruiting got crazy. It takes a lot of time to investigate whether a school is a good fit, so make sure you spend that time on your top five.
Questions to ask yourself
-- Where would I want to be if I were injured and couldn’t play?
-- Does the school have the major I want, and will my practice schedule/coaches allow me to follow it?
-- Will a degree from this school help me reach my life goals?
-- What kind of support does the school give its athletes?
-- How do I fit with the team/coaches?
-- What will be my role on the team?
-- Can I see myself thrive and be happy there?
Time to commit
It’s hard to know when the time is right to commit. I tried to take my time and enjoy the process, but the pressure does heat up quickly. After one particular tournament, I was discussing the pros and cons of my top two schools with my parents. In the end, the deciding factor was going to a school where I would be the happiest. There are so many people who want to define success, but to me success equals happiness. In volleyball, in school and in life. I told my parents that I really wasn’t waiting for a better offer.
It was BYU … and apparently had always been.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – what to expect on your campus visits – here.
Cosy Burnett is a junior outside and opposite hitter at La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) who also plays for Coast Volleyball Club in San Diego, Calif. Her high school team competed in the state finals for Division II last season and she has competed at nationals five times with her club teams. In the latest installment of her blog, she explains how she decided to go to Brigham Young University.
When I was 12 years old, I decided it was time to make my entree into college recruiting. I looked up the phone number of the head coach of BYU (my dream school) on the Internet and called her and left a message.
It went something like this ...
Courtesy of Cosy BurnettCosy Burnett poses next to the BYU logo on the back of her car.She didn’t come, as far as I know, but when I went to camp later that summer with hundreds of girls, the coach paused when she called my name and looked up and said, “So YOU are Cosy.”
Choices
As time progressed and other schools became interested in me, I opened my mind to a lot of different options and experiences. I was really lucky to have some great choices and flattered to have offers from the best schools and programs in the country -- schools that I would have never dreamed I could go to.
I had a coach from a top program give me some great advice my freshman year. He said to keep a list of my top five schools, and only five. If I liked a new school, I needed to evaluate it compared to my top five, and if I brought it up, I would need to drop one down. This helped me keep things simple and organized when recruiting got crazy. It takes a lot of time to investigate whether a school is a good fit, so make sure you spend that time on your top five.
Questions to ask yourself
-- Where would I want to be if I were injured and couldn’t play?
-- Does the school have the major I want, and will my practice schedule/coaches allow me to follow it?
-- Will a degree from this school help me reach my life goals?
-- What kind of support does the school give its athletes?
-- How do I fit with the team/coaches?
-- What will be my role on the team?
-- Can I see myself thrive and be happy there?
Time to commit
It’s hard to know when the time is right to commit. I tried to take my time and enjoy the process, but the pressure does heat up quickly. After one particular tournament, I was discussing the pros and cons of my top two schools with my parents. In the end, the deciding factor was going to a school where I would be the happiest. There are so many people who want to define success, but to me success equals happiness. In volleyball, in school and in life. I told my parents that I really wasn’t waiting for a better offer.
It was BYU … and apparently had always been.
Read the previous installment of Cosy's blog – what to expect on your campus visits – here.
By Mark Tennis and Kirstin Olsen
Tom HauckEsperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) claimed the title at the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions and moves up to No. 3 in the FAB 50 rankings.
The Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions last weekend in Santa Barbara, Calif., offered the possibilities for some upsets in a match-style tournament, and it did not disappoint.
Previous FAB 50 No. 6 Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) dominated the field with some spirited play and ended its trip with a huge win over previous No. 2 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) in the final.
The Aztecs defeated the Mustangs 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 and finished the weekend 4-0. Sophomore opposite Jake Arnitz led the way with 53 kills in the tournament. He had 17 in the final and added five blocks.
Since Esperanza is not a solid No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section behind FAB 50 No. 1 Loyola of Los Angeles - the Aztecs are not top-ranked in the Orange County Register's poll - that helped clear the way for unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.) to grab the No. 2 ranking in this week's FAB 50.
Wheaton Warrenville South could still get hopped at some point by a top California team, but if the Tigers were to finish unbeaten and win a state title, its chances of being the FAB 50 mythical champion are better this week than before.
Click here for the complete Week 5 rankings.
Tom HauckEsperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) claimed the title at the Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions and moves up to No. 3 in the FAB 50 rankings.The Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions last weekend in Santa Barbara, Calif., offered the possibilities for some upsets in a match-style tournament, and it did not disappoint.
Previous FAB 50 No. 6 Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) dominated the field with some spirited play and ended its trip with a huge win over previous No. 2 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) in the final.
The Aztecs defeated the Mustangs 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 and finished the weekend 4-0. Sophomore opposite Jake Arnitz led the way with 53 kills in the tournament. He had 17 in the final and added five blocks.
Since Esperanza is not a solid No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section behind FAB 50 No. 1 Loyola of Los Angeles - the Aztecs are not top-ranked in the Orange County Register's poll - that helped clear the way for unbeaten Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton, Ill.) to grab the No. 2 ranking in this week's FAB 50.
Wheaton Warrenville South could still get hopped at some point by a top California team, but if the Tigers were to finish unbeaten and win a state title, its chances of being the FAB 50 mythical champion are better this week than before.
Click here for the complete Week 5 rankings.
GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS
| Rank | School (City, State) | Rec |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LaVista South Papillion, NE | 41-0 |
| 2 | Lake Travis Austin, TX | 50-0 |
| 3 | Assumption Louisville, KY | 43-1 |
| 4 | St. James Academy Lenexa, KS | 47-1 |
| 5 | Berkeley Prep School Tampa, FL | 30-2 |
| See the full girls' volleyball rankings » | ||