ESPNHS Volleyball

By Kirstin Olsen



The final two games of the 2011 season were both decided in dramatic five-set fashion. Before closing the book on the season, these two classics deserve a second look.

What: Division II California Interscholastic Federation final

Who: No. 15 Presentation (San Jose) vs. No. 42 La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad)

Score: Presentation 3, La Costa Canyon 2

Game 1 highlights: With a plethora of offensive weapons, including six players over 6-feet, La Costa Canyon came out swinging. Cosy Burnett came up with key kills, and although the Mavericks struggled a bit on defense and with their passing, they took the first game 25-20.

Game 2 highlights: Presentation played great defense and libero Kathleen Bozzo served tough and got LCC in passing trouble, but the Mavericks still prevailed 25-20 to take a 2-0 lead. “We were kind of a deer in the headlights," coach Sue Dvorak said.

Game 3 highlights: With their backs against the wall, the Panthers fought for every ball and didn’t give up, even surviving a match point. Junior outside hitter Alex Sheredy and setter Veronica Blither stepped up their games, and momentum shifted with a 26-24 Presentation win. "As soon as we calmed down and figured out we could play with them, we got a little more confidence," Dvorak said. "Their shoulders relaxed a little it and they started digging balls better and blocking better, and it was a fun match.”

Game 4 highlights: With ninja-like defense and steady all-around play, Presentation dominated the fourth game and won 25-15. Setter/hitter Madison Cooper was a key contributor with her left-handed craftiness and great court sense.

Game 5 highlights: The Panthers got on a roll and never looked back. Cooper served tough, and Emily Sklar closed out the match with one of her 22 kills as Presentation prevailed 15-9.

They said it: “For me it just meant that I could end my high school career on a good note and finish with no regrets. We made school history as the first team to ever win state, and MVP is pretty good.” -- Sklar

Notes: The win marked the first CIF state championship for Presentation. ... The Panthers finish with a 39-2 record.

What: Division I California Interscholastic Federation final

Who: No. 9 Palo Alto vs. No. 12 Marymount (Los Angeles)

Score: Palo Alto 3, Marymount 2

Game 1 highlights: Melanie Wade was a threat in the front and back rows for Palo Alto, and the Vikings cruised to a routine opening-game win, 25-17.

Game 2 highlights: Marymount put up a good fight, but Palo Alto libero Shelby Knowles came up huge and had key digs forthe Vikings. Marymount's Lauren Greskovics-Fuller struggled a bit to connect with Kaitlyn Edwards on the slide, and the Palo Alto defense and passing proved to be too much. Palo Alto put itself on the brink of a repeat title with a 25-23 win.

Game 3 highlights: Greskovics-Fuller moved the ball around beautifully and got all her hitters involved. Ashlie Williams was unstoppable in the middle and Lanti Moye-McLaren was a threat in the front and back rows, hitting a variety of angles. It could have gone either way, but the Sailors rallied at key points to win the game 25-22 and keep their season alive.

Game 4 highlights: Marymount came out on fire, holding the lead almost the whole game. Greskovics-Fuller spread the ball around, and Renee Meyer-Whalley came in and served tough to close out the game 25-20 and force a fifth game.

Game 5 highlights: Outside hitter Manon Greskovics-Fuller got hot offensively for Marymount, and the Sailors would not let a ball drop. At 13-7, all signs were pointing to a Marymount win. But then the momentum shifted. Maddie Kuppe went back to serve. “When we sided out and I got back to the end line I was like 'Wait ... we can do this," Kuppe said. "It was like a second switch for me.” Palo Alto roared back, and at 12-13 the fans started to chant “I believe my team can win.” Wade answered with two of her 27 kills. After Marymount hit a ball out, Palo Alto found itself with a 17-15 win. “I am just super proud of our team, the way we came back,” Wade said.

They said it: “I am waiting for the ref to say, 'Oops we made a mistake. You guys actually lost. It’s going to take me a couple of days to figure out how the heck we did that. I’m proud that the seniors got this experience, though, because they worked their butts off all year. It would have been a big dud if we had a wipeout in the fifth set after being up 2-0. So I’m really happy that their efforts were rewarded with this." -- coach Dave Winn

Notes: Palo Alto (36-3) became the first team in school history to win back-to-back state titles. ... Wade, a senior, was named MVP.

By Kirstin Olsen


The final two state champions of the 2011 volleyball season were crowned Saturday night in California, and it very well might have been a case of saving the best games for last.

In the CIF Division II state championship, Presentation (San Jose, Calif.) rallied from two sets down and fought off a match point to win its first CIF state championship in volleyball.

Led by 20 kills from Duke commit Emily Sklar, undersized Presentation took down taller La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-15, 15-9.

In the first two games, La Costa Canyon, ranked 42nd in the POWERADE FAB 50 national rankings, was in system and had a bevy of hitters to feed, particularly middle Natalie Bausback and outside hitter Cosy Burnett.

But the No. 15 Panthers rallied in the third set with steady play and smart hitting. Veronica Bither and Madison Cooper started to get all their hitters involved and had a great total team effort, never looking out of system.

The Division I final was packed full of drama as well.

No. 9 Palo Alto rallied from a six-point deficit in the fifth game and claimed back-to-back CIF state championships with a 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 17-15 win over No. 12 Marymount (Los Angeles).

In the first two games, Palo Alto was in a great rhythm, utilizing 6-foot-5 middle blocker Melanie Wade, a Washington commit, and getting great passing and hitting from senior outside hitter Maddie Kuppe.

But the momentum took a sharp turn starting in the third game.

Marymount took over with amazing defense and good all-around play. Lanti Moye-McLaren was a key weapon in the front and back row, hitting a variety of angles, and Marymount setter Lauren Fuller did a great job moving the ball around to her hitters.

In the last game, Marymount was up 13-7, but Palo Alto steadied its play and fought its way back in to win the match 17-15.

Wade finished with 26 kills, and the Vikings became the first Palo Alto team to win two straight titles.

By Kirstin Olsen

TLC Photos Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) will be making its fourth straight trip to the Texas state semifinals.

No. 21 Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) is cruising through the 3A Conference bracket with wins over North Lamar and Prosper. The Leopards' only losses this season came in August at preseason tournaments. Tulsa commit Nicole Newton and Iowa State commit Andie Malloy signed their letters of intent last week. Junior outside hitter/middle blocker Ebony Nwanebu had verbally committed to USC. The Leopards will face Sinton this week in the state semifinals.

No. 17 Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.) has only one loss this year, to No. 7 Berkeley Prep, and may get another shot at the Bucs in the state final. This week the Hornets will take on Bolles in the FHSAA 4A semifinals while Berkeley Prep faces No. 22 Cardinal Gibbons. The Hornets boast junior outside hitter Lindsey Owens, senior libero Alex Beecher, sophomore setter Allie Monserez and senior middle blocker Maura Mulligan.

No. 16 Palo Alto (Palo Alto, Calif.) has had an up-and-down year but is in contention for another state final appearance if they can make it through the CIF Central Coast Section. The Vikings face Salinas this week in the Division I semis. The Vikings' go-to hitters are 6-5 middle blocker Melanie Wade, a Washington commit, and 6-2 outside hitter Maddie Kuppe, a UConn commit. Senior setter and Pacific commit Kimmy Whitson has also starred this year.

No. 27 Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.) has had a commendable season with a second-place finish at Durango, sixth at the Cal Challenge and second at Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions. The Sailors boast standout twins Lauren Fuller, a setter and Arizona commit, and Manon Fuller, an outside hitter and Virginia commit. Junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Edwards has stepped up her game as a key contributor this season.

By Walter Villa

Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the POWERADE FAB 50 last year when it ran into Mercy (Louisville, Ky.).

The matchup, which came in the final of Berkeley’s Premier Volleyball Tournament, was won by Mercy in five sets. Mercy won the final set 19-17 to knock the Bucs off the top spot.

This year, Berkeley is ranked third in the FAB 50 and is off to another strong start at 6-0, including a five-set win over 2010 state champ East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.).

But the Bucs will be challenged to an even greater degree this Friday and Saturday when they host the 19th annual Premier tournament. The field will again include Mercy, which is unranked this week but has won the tournament six times in the past eight years.

To his credit, Berkeley coach Randy Dagostino, whose team won the tournament the other two years, keeps inviting Mercy back.

“I’m always looking for teams that will push us and make the tournament better,” Dagostino said.

Dagostino may have “discovered” another such team in No. 18 Chattahoochee (Johns Creek, Ga.). The Cougars went 50-5 last season but really opened eyes this year. They are the only team to beat No. 5 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) so far this season.

Chattahoochee (25-4) is 5-0 this season against Kentucky teams, including wins over No. 34 Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) and Mercy.

The other teams entered at the Premier are No. 50 Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.); Lake Mary (Lake Mary, Fla.); Leon (Tallahassee, Fla.); Francis Howell (St. Charles, Mo.); and Springstead (Spring Hill, Fla.).

Berkeley is the top seed in the tournament, but Dagostino doesn’t think his team has “clicked” just yet. He’s had to replace three of his seven starters from last season, and Dagostino says star outside hitter Jordan Burgess has yet to hit her peak since returning from Turkey, where she was playing for the U.S. Youth National team.

“She’s had a lot of nagging – I don’t even want to call them injuries,” Dagostino said. “She’s just played a lot of volleyball, and she missed a couple of weeks of jelling with her teammates while she was in Turkey.

“But we’re working hard. We’ll get there.”

Young guns in Vegas

Six underclassmen made the 17-player All-Tournament team last weekend at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., including 5-foot-7 freshman opposite hitter Faith Ma’afala of Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii).

Three sophomores made the team: 6-2 outside hitter Brittany Abercrombie of La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.); 6-2 middle blocker Crissy Jonesof Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.); and 5-9 setter/outside hitter Alex Filley of Assumption (Louisville, Ky.).

The two juniors on the prestigious team are 6-3 middle blocker Taylor Paulson of Assumption and 5-7 outside hitter Amanda Benson of Xavier (Phoenix, Ariz.).

Glass half full, or half empty?


Los Alamitos coach Dave Huber was pleased with his team’s performance at Durango, especially the way they battled after blowing a 24-21 second-set lead to Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.) in the semifinal.

“To kind of have one taken from us like that, I didn’t know how we would respond,” Huber said. “But we regained our composure and got to the final. I’m proud of the way we fought back. Our girls were in it physically and mentally.”

Coach Pat McDougall of La Costa Canyon was also feeling good, even after his team lost in the semifinals to Assumption.

“We had only played two matches coming into Las Vegas,” said McDougall, who also praised his new setter, Jordan Robbins, a 5-10 junior. “We didn’t know what to expect, but I’m very happy with the results.”

Meanwhile, Marymount coach Cari Klein was upset her team continued a recent trend of falling behind early only to rally late.

“Our kids gave a great effort,” Klein said after the loss to Los Alamitos. “But we need to get better. We need to block smarter. We seem to think we can give up points and battle back, but we can’t do that against really good teams.”

Senior setter Lauren Fuller was named to the all-tournament team, and Klein praised Fuller’s twin, Manon Fuller, a 6-0 senior outside hitter and said that 6-2 junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Edwards has “come alive.”

By Kirstin Olsen/ESPN HS

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The talent stepped up on Day 2 of the Durango Fall Classic as teams made their runs deep into the tournament.

We salute the top 10 players.

Rebecca Strehlow, Long Beach Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.): The 6-foot-1 setter/outside hitter is the complete package. She can pass, set, hit, block and serve. She is strong and takes control of the game. The only problem is that she can’t pass, set and hit every ball, and her team needs more of her. Though the Bruins didn’t have the best showing, UCLA coach Mike Sealy has a great player coming into his program next year.

Sara Hughes Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.): The 5-11 setter/opposite is the most well-rounded player on her team. Only a junior, Hughes shows her overall skills as she fights for balls and bangs them on the right down the line. Her skills from the beach shine through with her excellent ball control and court sense. Any program would be lucky to have Sara fight for them.

Kelly Murphy, Walton (Marietta, Ga.): This 6-1 senior outside hitter was a powerhouse for her team. She sides out like a champ and can move the ball around.

Lauren Fuller, Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.): You can tell a good setter when you almost don’t notice her but see they ball spread around evenly. This 5-11 senior can back set a pipe, set a quick from her knees and has a sisterly connection with outside hitter/twin sister, Manon. She is athletic and strong and has a nice high quick delivery.

Crissy Jones, Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.):This 6-2 sophomore middle blocker takes control of the net when she’s up. With a nice high reach and a quick snap on quick sets, she's a nice addition to Los Al’s balanced attack on the outside.

Abby Hornacek, Xavier Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.): The 6-1 opposite with an unconventional style brings it on the right side. Her hard angle is hard to stop and she puts up a nice block as well. She is well-rounded with her game, and she does a good job making good decisions.

Misty Ma’a, Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii): The 6-1 outside hitter hits some sharp angles and put up a wall of a block on the net. She was the main offensive weapon for her team this weekend and did a great job moving the ball around with good court vision.

Katie George, Assumption (Louisville, Ky.): The girl in the helmet was an inspiration for all this weekend as the 5-11 setter did everything she could for her team. She set and passed and hit a few rotations, showing her versatility as a player.

Karlee Fuller, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.): The 6-foot outside hitter led the attack for the Mavericks. As part of a solid front row, Karlee chiseled away at opposing teams' blocks and helped lead her team to the semifinals.

Skylar Dykstra, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.): The 5-10 outside hitter was a force on the left for the Sea Hawks. She used a variety of shots and displayed excellent ball control to give her team the balance it needed.