PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 1 of 54 The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School Sophomores in the Country Written by John Tawa Thursday, 25 March 2010 Soph 79 Libero Haley Pouliezos Below, please find 428 sophomores of distinction the nation enjoyed watching last fall. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Before we get to the Class of 2012 honorees, you should know that this is by far the hardest list we do and it gets tougher every year. The Frosh 59 list is tough because we don’t yet know the athletes, but is made easier because so few freshmen are making significant contributions on the varsity level. Picking All Americans is tough because so many have become exceptional players and deserve recognition for what they’ve accomplished in state; yet, having seen them both high school and club, we have an idea about how to distinguish the truly exceptional from the merely exceptional. The Soph 79 list stands in the middle, which is why it is such a massive project. On the one hand, we are still getting to know these athletes. On the other, they are already making their marks on high school varsity programs across the nation. The Soph 79 list also gets bigger every year. Last year it was massive at 280 names. This year it has expanded by more than 50 percent! And what a class it is, with mind-blowing talent and athleticism. That may explain why it took a full two weeks to complete this year. Whew! Of the 428 players listed below, the first 79 are our “Soph 79,” in our estimation the top http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 2 of 54 sophomores based on high school achievement in the land. I have bolded those five words because being on the Soph 79 does not mean you are one of the top 79 recruitable players in the class. You may be, but that’s not what this list is for. This list recognizes outstanding high school varsity achievement. Period. So, if you were hurt and hardly played, like Plano West’s Laura Jones, or you are a great player on a JV or a varsity bench, don’t look for your name below. You won’t find it. Not this list. Not this year. In addition to the Soph 79, you will find five sub-categories for the remaining super sophs, from “Highest Honorable Mention,” which has 65 players; all the way to “Honorable Mention,” which has 80. (Incidentally, I count about a dozen in the HM category who would be considered among the top 100 recruitable athletes in the class, currently). Note that for the first time we do not list those players, about 150 or so, for whom we needed more information. We tried but couldn’t get it for one reason or another. Remember, AND NEVER FORGET, this recognition is based solely on High School Achievement, not club acclaim, college potential or reputation. Please appreciate the distinction between “high school achievement” and where a player might rank as a recruit for the next level. I say this every year, but moms, dads and coaches have a way of forgetting that, especially when the Top 50 Juniors list, which is a recruiting list, comes out next December and their Soph 79 daughter is not on it. Have we missed some? Undoubtedly. We try our best, canvassing high school and club coaches across the country at least eight times over a six-month period, but some worthy sophomores always fall through the cracks. We rely heavily on coaches to tell us who the top sophomores are and, when they don’t deliver, players are sometimes omitted or the information on them is incomplete at best. In several instances below, we reached out to coaches specifically to supply us with more information about their players only to be met with stony silence. We apologize in advance for any oversights or errors in the information below. Without further ado, the top high school playing sophomores in the nation… THE 2009 SOPH 79 Fayette Adelaja, 6-1 MB, Parkview Baptist (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) – Advocate Small School Player of the Year and Division III District MVP, Adelaja is a brilliant athlete and easy leaper who put up 341 kills, 82 aces and 64 blocks in 2009. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 3 of 54 Leigh Andrew, 5-11 OH, Westminster Academy (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Broward County’s Class 3A-2A-1A Player of the Year, Andrew is a physical marvel who excelled in all areas for the 26-7 Lions. She had 356 kills and 212 digs on the year, including 19 kills and 22 digs in a state 2A semifinal loss to eventual champion The First Academy. Inky Ajanaku, 6-3 MB, Bishop Kelley (Tulsa, Oklahoma) – Inky teamed with her junior sister Kitan to form an unstoppable tandem in the middle for the state 5A champs. The 6-3 sophomore led a balanced Comet team with 228 kills and also set the team standard with 60 solo blocks. A very competitive player and avid learner, Ajanaku should be one of the most dominating players in the state next fall. Amelia Anderson, 6-1 MB, Crystal Lake Central (Crystal Lake, Illinois) – A force at the net, Anderson propelled Central to the state 3A Final Four in 2009, amassing 328 kills, twice as many as anyone else on the team, and 95 stuff blocks for a 37-5 team. She was an All Conference and All Area pick. Shelby Anderton, 5-11 Setter, Evangelical Christian (Cordova, Tennessee) – Anderton led ECS to a Tennessee state title in 2009. A leader in all statistical categories for the Eagles, Anderton was region MVP as well as a member of the Best of Preps team by the Commercial Appeal. She is a strong setter and dominant front row player being recruited throughout the SEC. Mary Hannah Arrington, 5-9 OH, Pope (Marietta, Georgia) – Nicknamed “Mannah,” this bright and talented all-around star is actually a lefty, but was taught by a coach assuming she was right handed and now does everything, including serving and hitting, using her right arm. Her serving helped the Greyhounds win their first state title last fall. Down 13-8 in the fifth versus Walton, Arrington served out the match. Selected to the All Area team, Mannah finished the year with 406 kills, 59 aces and 270 digs, all second on the team. “She is one of the best all around players I have ever coached,” said Bryan Pope. “She can hit, serve, play defense, pass...you name it. Her skills are hard to match, but what is really great- her attitude. She is extremely coachable, ALWAYS puts her team first and, no matter what, she gives her best on every play.” Natalie Bausback, 6-2 MB, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, California) – First Team All League and First Team All CIF SDS Div. I, Bausback contributed 217 kills and more than 100 blocks for the CIF-SDS Division I champs. Morgan Bergren, 6-0 S, Delta (Muncie, Indiana) – The Eagles weren’t quite the state powerhouse in 2009 than their state championship team of a year before, but Bergren, who amassed more than 1,000 assists for the second straight season and also led Delta in digs with 255, had another great year. She was named All County and All Conference and Second Team All State. Martenne Bettendorf, 6-0 OH, Central Catholic (Portland, Oregon) – A willowy sophomore with a whip for an arm, Bettendorf was an attacking machine for the Rams, who captured the state 6A title in 2009 and lost only once. She repeatedly beat triple blocks in the state final, delivering 21 kills to help her team overcome Jesuit in four sets. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 4 of 54 Mackenzie Bigbee, 6-1 RS, Williamsburg (Iowa) – Bigbee’s added 100 kills in 2009 to her freshman total of 224 and became a six-rotation force for Williamsburg, also contributing 266 digs, 70 aces and 67 blocks. A scary blocker with a whip for a left arm, Bigbee was a Second Team All State pick in Class 3A by the Iowa Coaches Association. Haley Bodway, 6-1 OH/MB, Jefferson (Bloomington, Minnesota) – A physical attacker and strong six-rotation talent, Bodway was one of only three sophomores to earn Third Team All Metro recognition in 2009. The four-year starter has been All Conference for the past three years and was Honorable Mention All State in 2009, after amassing 449 kills (5.35 per game), 285 digs and 76 total blocks. Madison Bugg, 6-0 S/OH, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, North Carolina) – MVP of the Class 3A state tournament, Bugg led the Crusaders to a 27-1-1 record in 2009, a top 25 national ranking and a state title in their first year in this classification. Named North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Bugg recorded 234 assists, 229 kills, 175 digs and 76 aces on the year. Jordan Burgess, 6-0 OH, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida) – Florida’s 3A Player of the Year, Burgess was integral to everything the Bucs did in 2009. She was a primary passer and added 385 digs defensively. She led the offense with 363 kills and 71 aces and added 48 blocks. Berkeley Prep finished 29-3 on the year and won the 3A title and the spunky Burgess, who finished fourth in the state’s Miss Volleyball balloting, was a big reason why. Sarah Burrington, 6-5 MB, Riverview (Florida) – Towering middle averaged more than five kills and two blocks a game in 2009 and was named Second Team all-Hillsborough County. Kinsey Caldwell, 5-7 S, Waverly-Shell Rock (Waverly, Iowa) – Named to the nine-player IGCA Elite All-State team, Caldwell, who was recognized as Second Team All State in Class 3A by the Des Moines Register, led the state in assists with 1167 in 2009 and led the Go-Hawks to a 47-5 record and the Iowa 3A title. Caldwell, one of two great sophomores on the squad, also contributed 116 kills, 195 digs, 42 blocks and 64 aces. Paige Caridi, 5-11 OH, Westlake (Austin, Texas) – One of only two sophomores ever to start on the outside for the Chaps, Caridi entered the starting lineup early and never left it. Named Texas Newcomer of the Year by LoneStarVolleyball.com, Caridi amassed 269 kills, third on the team, added 313 digs and 33 blocks for a 38-7 team that finished as Texas 5A runner up. “She is incredibly poised, disciplined and very competitive,” said coach Al Bennett. “She emerged as a strong leader on the court when the pressure was the highest. She has the entire skill package as an outside hitter and her numerous awards this year have recognized her play on the court.” Jaclyn Clark, 5-8 OH, Saugus (California) -- Do-everything outside hitter was MVP of prestigious Crescenta Valley Tournament en route to All-League and All-Area 1st Team honors, racking up kills (332) and digs (3310) enough to lead both statistical categories for her team. One coach predicted that by the time Clark is done, she will probably rank as the top high school player, statistically, to ever come out of the Santa Clarita Valley. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 5 of 54 Megan Courtney, 6-1 S/OH, Archbishop Alter (Kettering, Ohio) – The only sophomore in Ohio to earn All-State recognition on either the first or second teams, Courtney, a First Team pick in Division II, had a monster year for a 19-8 team that lost in the regional finals in five sets, a match the Knights might have won had Courtney not been hobbled by an ankle sprained early in the first set. On the year, Courtney led Alter in kills (342), assists (482) and blocks (92) while finishing second with 236 digs. “She is our #1 hitter AND our #1 setter AND our #1 server AND our #1 blocker,” said coach Tina Jasinowski. “Not many players are that impactful as BOTH a hitter and a setter and I think that's one of the things that clearly sets her apart from her peers.” <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Amanda Crask set Mercy Academy to the Kentucky state title in 2009 and earned herself a spot among the Soph 79. Photo by www.arcticferret.com Amanda Crask, 5-7 Setter, Mercy Academy (Louisville, Kentucky) – A first-year starter, Crask set the Jaguars in every match in 2009 and did so with great success. Despite having a team with very little varsity experience, Mercy nonetheless repeated as Kentucky state champions with Crask running the offense and averaging 9.1 assists per set. Also the team leader in aces, Crack, a very athletic left hander, made the All Region team as well as the All State Tournament team. Mackenzie Dagostino, 5-10 S/RS, Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Florida) – The fiery leader of the Class http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 6 of 54 3A state champions, Dagostino, daughter of the team’s legendary head coach, doesn’t get as much ink as fellow soph Jordan Burgess, but is equally important to the team’s fortunes. The First Team Hillsborough County pick was dominant in the Bucs’ state-title run and finished the year with 667 assists, 223 kills, 269 digs, 66 aces and 59 blocks. Nicole Dalton, 6-2 OH/S, Chaparral (Parker, Colorado) – Highly skilled and a true all-around talent, Dalton led Chaparral in kills with 286 in 2009 despite swinging less than full time. She was a primary passer in serve receive, contributed 249 digs, 60 solo blocks, 200 assists and 31 aces. She was a First Team All Conference and Second Team All State selection for a team that finished 22-7 and advanced to the state 5A tournament. Kryssi Daniels, 5-10 OH, Winston County (Double Springs, Alabama) – A four-year starter, Daniels put up virtually identical numbers in 2009 as she did her freshman year: 789 kills, 485 digs, 117 blocks and 103 aces. She led her high school in all four categories and to a 53-9 mark. Winston County did not make the Elite Eight from a district that produced the 2A state champion and runner up, but the team was ranked No. 2 during the season. First Team All State in 2A, Daniels also was Player of the Year by the Daily Mountain Eagle. Litsa Darby, 5-8 S, Ashley Hall (Charleston, South Carolina) – SCISA 3A Player of the Year after leading Ashley Hall to the state Independent Schools 3A title for the second straight year, Darby amassed almost 1,000 assists for the Lady Panthers while exceeding or approaching triple digits in digs, kills and blocks. Darby, who plays older than she is, is an athletic marvel who excels on the second contact hit and is an effective blocker. In addition to her all state honors, she was named First Team All Lowcountry by the Post and Courier and recently was named Miss Volleyball for independent school players. Ally Davis, 6-1 MB, Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Illinois) – First Team All Area, Davis, a great leaper and emerging team leader, dominated the net for one of Illinois’ best teams, amassing 230 kills and 113 blocks, both team highs. Cassie Effken, 6-1 MB, Pius X (Lincoln, Nebraska) – Effken emerged as the go-to player on a young Thunderbolts team that compiled a 38-12 record and again reached the Class B state tournament. She set school records for kills in a season (458) and blocks in a season (90), while earning 3rd Team All Nebraska, First Team All Class B and First Team All City honors. She also was named to the Class B All State Tournament team. Samantha Epenesa, 6-0 OH, Edwardsville (Illinois) – A superior athlete and sky walker, Epenesa came into her own in 2009, amassing 356 kills, while adding 261 digs, 43 aces and 68 total blocks. She was named Second Team All State by the Champaign News-Gazette and was the Telegraph’s Large School Player of the Year. Macey Gardner, 6-0 OH, Gilbert (Arizona) – This 5A First Team All State selection amassed 590 kills, 348 digs and 92 aces in 2009 for the 36-9 Tigers, a perennial large-class state contender. She has been described as the most intimidating attacker in the Cactus State. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 7 of 54 Megan Gilbert, 6-0 MB, Tripoli (Iowa) – Iowa’s Class 1A Player of the Year, Gilbert led favored Tripoli to another state title in 2009. A superb athlete, Gilbert averaged five kills and 1.5 digs per set while totaling 67 blocks and 61 aces. Mara Green, 6-1 MB, Eagles Landing Christian (McDonough, Georgia) – One of the best athletes in the country in her age group, Green’s long arms and high flying jump (10-4) allowed her to go over any block out there. She dominated small school volleyball in Georgia in 2009, amassing 200 kills (while hitting .577!) and added 75 stuff blocks. With Green in the middle, ECLA had the best season in school history. Green was selected Area POY and First Team All State in Class AA/A. McKenzie Hart, 5-8 MB, Langdon (North Dakota) – After leading Langdon Area to the state title as a freshman, Hart helped her team to a 38-4 mark in 2009 and a spot in the Region finals. The only sophomore named All State, Hart, who terminates with power and accuracy, set a new school record with 550 kills (five per set), while also leading the team with 65 stuff blocks. Strong all around, Hart finished second on the squad in digs (422) and aces (82). Alexia Heist, 5-8 Setter, Eastwood (El Paso, Texas) – The All-City setter amassed 1067 assists, 123 kills, 453 digs and 87 aces in 2009 for a 23-8 team. She is smart, athletic and gritty and one of the best golfers in the nation in her age classification to boot! Ashley Hinsch, 5-9 Setter/RS, Zumbrotta-Mazeppa (Zumbrotta, Minnesota) – Named Player of the Year by the Red Wing Republican Eagle as well All Conference and Honorable Mention All State, Hinsch led the Cougars in kills (211), assists (435) and aces in 2009 and was second in digs behind the team’s libero. A three-year starter, Hinsch is an excellent leaper and great all-around athlete and the setter for the national top 10 Northern Lights club team. Katie Hogan, 6-1 MB, Scott City (Missouri) – The star of the Class 2 state champs, Hogan put up monster numbers for the 36-3-1 Rams in 2009. Her 260 kills, 167 blocks and 314 digs made her a shoo-in for Missouri First Team All-State honors. Brittany Howard, 6-3 OH, Mountain View (California) – The Spartans didn’t quite have the success they enjoyed a year ago, but that didn’t stop Howard, one of the best sophomores in the nation, from putting another great year together. Named both to the San Jose Mercury-News First Team and its Sophomore of the Year, Howard was Mountain View’s best passer, blocker and hitter in 2009. In 33 matches, she amassed 478 kills, with a high of 43, and added 240 digs. Alexis Huntey, 6-2 MB, Morley Stanwood (Morley, Michigan) – First Team All State and Pioneer Dream Team Player of the Year, Huntey recorded 559 kills (4.7 per game) in 2009. She added 138 blocks, 418 digs and 79 aces for a 34-8 team. Alyssa Ivey, 5-8 S, Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tennessee) – Ivey hit and set in a 6-2 for the AAA runners up in 2009. She contributed 879 assists, 257 digs, 98 kills and 67 aces. Ivey is a player who can do it all and a leader by example. She was named First Team all-Midstate and First Team All State by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 8 of 54 Haley Jeffcoat, 5-9 OH, St. Catherine’s (Racine, Wisconsin) – Conference Player of the Year, Jeffcoat piled up 358 kills, 95 aces and 198 digs, leading St. Catherine’s to a 32-5-2 record and its first conference championship in school history. A dynamic attacker with an explosive approach and powerful swing, Jeffcoat was the team’s go-to hitter to be sure, but also excelled in all rotations. She was an Honorable Mention All State pick. Andrea Kacsits, 6-4 MB, Rockford (Michigan) – A dominating presence in the middle with a nonstop motor, Kacsits had a team-leading 446 kills and 126 blocks for a team that compiled a 4219-1 record in 2009 and reached its first-ever regional championship match. She was a First Team All Conference, First Team All Area, First Team All Region and Second Team All State pick. Mackenzie Kleespies, 5-9 OH/Setter, Avon Grove (West Grove, Pennsylvania) – Kleespies set and played outside for Avon Grove, which played only 20 matches in 2009. In 64 sets, this versatile player recorded 363 kills, 82 aces, 359 digs, 95 blocks and 125 assists. She was First Team All Conference, First Team All Area, First Team All District and All State. Morgan Kuhrt, 6-0 OH, Waverly-Shell Rock (Waverly, Iowa) – Named First Team All State 3A by both the Iowa Girls Coaches Association and the Des Moines Register, Kuhrt put up monster numbers for the 3A state champs in 2009. She slammed home a team-leading 449 kills on a strong offensive squad, while adding 351 digs, 77 solo blocks and 49 aces. Haley Lawless, 6-3 OH, Seton Catholic (Chandler, Arizona) – The 2008 PrepVolleyball.com National Freshman of the Year had another sensational campaign, overcoming injury to lead Seton Catholic to a repeat state title in Division 4A-II. Lawless finished the year with 609 kills, 108 aces and 77 blocks and was a First Team selection on the six-player All Arizona team put out by the Arizona Republic. Cati Leak, 6-1 OH, Guntersville (Alabama) – This powerful hitter wowed in the state 4A finals, delivering 28 kills and 20 digs in a four-set win over defending champion Jacksonville. Leak, who earned state tournament MVP honors, also was a First Team All State selection by the Birmingham News, the only sophomore on the 12-player team, and by the Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association. Leak finished the year with 627 kills and 473 digs for a 62-7 team. Courtney Liddle, 5-11 OH, Nature Coast (Brooksville, Florida) – A very strong all-around player, Liddle finished 2009 with 353 kills, 293 digs and 127 aces and was a First Team All Conference and First Team All County choice. Her serve is a serious weapon! Savvy and a super hard worker, Liddle has strong leadership skills that even seniors respect. Katie Lindelow, 6-0 OH, Mandeville (Louisiana) – A dominator regardless of class and not just in Louisiana but the nation as a whole, Lindelow has all the shots and can defend as well as any libero. First Team All District and First Team All Metro, Lindelow amassed 426 kills, 390 digs, 81 aces and 78 blocks in 2009. She basically put her team on her back and carried them through districts into the playoffs and all the way to the state quarterfinals. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School S... Page 9 of 54 Molly Locke, 5-9 OH, Page (Franklin, Tennessee) – A great player, Locke gives everything she has 100 percent of the time, whether in practice or during matches. She contributed 576 kills, 460 digs and 152 aces for a team that placed second in the state in Class AA. Locke was named First Team All State Class AA and Third Team all-Midstate. Misty Ma’a, 6-0 OH, Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii) – Named First Team All State by the Honolulu Advertiser and as the ninth ranked player regardless of class in Hawaii by the StarBulletin, Ma’a helped the Warriors to an upset win over Punahou in the state Division I finals, delivering 12 kills, seven digs and six blocks. On the season, this smooth operator averaged three kills per set with 61 blocks and 100 digs. Andie Malloy, 6-1 S/MB, Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) – Malloy delivered 16 kills, 10 assists and three blocks in an MVP performance as Lovejoy swept Monahans to repeat as Texas 3A champions. A special all-around talent and gym rat, Malloy set the Leopards from the back row and hit out of the middle in the front. She led Lovejoy in kills and kill percentage. “She is a special player with the ability to run an offense from anywhere on the court,” said coach Ryan Mitchell. “When she gets to the front row you have to account for where she is at all times with her ability to hit high. She is a student of the game...loves to be in the gym and never wants to be outworked.” Tai Manu-Olevao, 6-0 OH, Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) -- Named Second Team All State by the Honolulu Advertiser and as the tenth ranked player regardless of class in Hawaii by the StarBulletin, Manu-Olevao is an athletic attacker and heavy hitter who was integral to Punahou’s attack. She slammed 24 kills in a losing effort in the state Division I final versus Kamehameha. Molly McCage, 6-3 MB, Klein Collins (Spring TX) – A member of the USA Youth National Team, McCage is a beautiful athlete who soars to 10-5 and beyond and will be a top 5 national recruit in this class. Very agile and athletic, she brings energy and leadership to the court. Named team MVP, McCage helped the Tigers surpass the 20-win mark for the first time in school history. The First Team All District pick finished the year with 391 kills and 147 total blocks. Victoria McPherson, 6-0 MB, North Broward Prep (Coral Springs, Florida) – A powerful front row presence, McPherson had 286 kills in 2009 to repeat as First Team All Area by the SunSentinel. Leah Mikesky, 6-1 OH, Schulenburg (Texas) – District 26-2A Offensive MVP and Honorable Mention All State, Mikesky is more than a leaper; she is a feared terminator who’s been scoring at will her first two years in high school. Mikesky put up astronomical numbers in 2009, recording double figure kills and digs in 20 of her team’s 37 matches. She finished the year with a school record 701 kills, 547 digs, 93 aces and 51 blocks. Katie Mitchell, 6-1 MB, College Park (The Woodlands, Texas) – An impact player in all six rotations, Mitchell affirmed her status as one of the nation’s best sophomores by amassing 447 kills, 279 digs, 135 total blocks and 34 aces in 2009 for one of the top teams in the Lone Star State. In addition to being her district’s Offensive Player of the Year, Mitchell was a Third Team All-Greater Houston pick. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 10 of 54 Melissa Morello, 5-10 OH, Nicolet (Glendale, Wisconsin) – A Second Team All State pick in 2009, the only sophomore named to the first or second teams, Morello led Nicolet to a 35-4 mark last fall and to the state tournament for the first time in 29 years. She led the squad in kills with 381 and was second in digs with 295. The unquestioned go-to player on offense, Morello, a First Team All Conference pick, also is an outstanding defender and student ranked in the top 10 in her class. Taylor Morey, 5-6 OH, Burris (Muncie, Indiana) – An amazing sophomore, Morey covered half the court on serve-receive for the 40-0 Owls, who won the state 2A title yet again and finished as the No. 3 team in the nation. Playing middle back, Morey led Burris in digs and scored a ton of points on her serve. Up front, this shot maker extraordinaire led the team with 330 kills. She was named First Team All State in Class 2A. Bethany Moss, 5-9 OH, Fowler (Colorado) – The Colorado 2A Player of the Year, Moss overcame a back injury to lead the Grizzlies to a repeat state title and 30-1 mark. She had 20 kills and 12 digs in the finals to earn state tournament MVP honors and finished the year with 615 kills, 443 digs and 78 aces, all team highs. Kelly Murphy, 6-1 OH, Walton (Marietta, Georgia) – First Team All State in Class AAAAA, the hard-hitting Murphy led the Raiders to a 44-6 record in 2009 and a runner up finish in the state tournament. Her 613 kills in one season ranks her among the top 10 all time in state history. Murphy added 179 digs, 61 aces and 55 blocks. Amy Neal, 5-10 OH, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) – The undisputed leader of a team that was ranked highly in the state of Texas and in the nation most of the year, Neal was the only sixrotation player on coach Julie Green’s team in 2009 and excelled both front row and back. Named MVP of her district and to the 4A All State team, Neal had 538 kills, 374 digs and 99 aces for a 46 -4 team. Amanda Orchard, 6-0 MB/OH, Lake Zurich (Illinois) – All Conference and All Area, the longarmed and high-flying Orchard contributed 240 kills, 149 blocks, 201 digs and 30 aces to the cause in 2009. She may have been the best player in the North Suburban Conference and helped her team to a 34-win season and a spot in the IHSA Elite Eight. Ciara Parker, 5-6 S, Snow Canyon (St. George, Utah) – A tenacious volleyball player with a strong all-around game, Parker led Snow Canyon (31-5) to the Utah 4A title again this year. Parker delivered 27 assists in the finals win over Dixie to earn state tournament MVP honors. Named Southern Utah Volleyball Player of the Year and 4A Player of the Year by both the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune, Parker amassed 843 assists, 117 kills, 126 aces and 328 digs on the year. Her 18 aces in a match and 126 in a season were both stats records. Haley Pouliezos, 5-5 Libero, Windsor (Imperial, Missouri) – A member of the USA Youth National Team, Pouliezos led Windsor in digs, averaging 7.28 per set in 2009, while passing half the court and contributing two service points per set. The leader of the defense and the team as http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 11 of 54 a whole, Pouliezos is equal parts effort and natural athletic ability and was named “Best Digger” at the high performance championships over the summer. First Team All Conference and First Team All Region, Pouliezos is the best, smartest player on her team, said coach Stephany Dueker. “I wished and wished for a 6-0 middle for years,” said Dueker. “And I got a 5-5 libero that I wouldn’t trade for a 6-0 middle!” Paulina Prieto, 6-2 MB, Palmer Trinity (Miami, Florida) – The four-year varsity performer was a First Team All-Miami Herald choice after amassing 355 kills, 106 blocks and 65 aces in 2009. Prieto is a Puerto Rican powerhouse as physical as anyone in this class with a game similar to Tori Dixon, the future Minnesota Golden Gopher. Leigh Pudwill, 6-2 OH, Centennial (Circle Pines, Minnesota) – Voted her team’s Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row, Pudwill led her team to its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2009, amassing a team leading 369 kills and 228 digs in 92 games while finishing third in both blocks and aces. Named Honorable Mention All State by the Minnesota High School Coaches Association and Second Team All State by the Pioneer Press, Pudwill also earned All Conference and Third Team All Metro recognition. “Leigh is the most driven player I have ever seen or coached,” said Jackie Rehbein-Manthey. “She possesses it all power, ball control, aggressiveness, height (with a great vertical), quickness, drive, passion and a high volleyball IQ (and a 4.0 student). I am fortunate enough to coach Leigh in high school and love every minute of it!” http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 12 of 54 Matalee Reed Matalee Reed, 6-2 MB, Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas) – Reed amassed 407 kills, 72 blocks and 91 aces in 2009 and was named Middle Blocker of the Year in the City of Richardson volleyball honors. “She has been a key player on the net and as a server,” said coach Melissa Christman. “Her vision, knack for putting the ball in the right place and her high IQ make her a leader even though she is one of the youngest players on the court.” Katherine Rifilato, 5-9 OH, Bayfield (Colorado) – The Wolverines were 25-3 and advanced to the state 3A semifinal match in 2009. Rifilato, a First Team All State 3A striker, was a big reason for Bayfield’s success. She finished third in 3A in kills even though a shoulder injury limited her to setting the last few weeks of the season and was third in all classifications in aces. Cinnamon Sary, 5-10 S, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, California) – Named Honorable Mention All County by the Orange County Register, Sary surely deserved first-team consideration, despite Orange County being volleyball rich, after what she accomplished for the state-champion http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 13 of 54 Sailors in 2009. Silky smooth, Sary was at her very best late in the year, guiding Newport to one win after another over nationally-ranked opponents. Sary earned a spot on the all state tournament team after delivering 33 assists in the state final sweep of Salinas, capping a year in which she amassed 1,151 assists while adding 161 digs and 71 blocks. She was named National Sophomore of the Year by ESPNRise. Brooke Schulte, 5-10 OH, Mater Dei (Breese, Illinois) – The team MVP and kills leader, Schulte had almost 300 terminations for the Class 3A runners up. She also led the team with 253 digs and added 82 blocks in a year that was as dominant in fact as it was statistically. Schulte was a First Team All St. Louis Area pick. Morgan Shannon, 5-9 OH, Cave Spring (Roanoke, Virginia) – First Team All District, First Team All Region, First Team All Area and First Team All State, Shannon might be the best sophomore Cave Spring assistant coach Mark Tanis said he has ever seen. She set single match (24) and single season (362) school records for kills this season and also led the team in blocks. She served at over 91% and was 2nd on the team in service aces. Shannon almost never came off the court this season, was one of the team’s dig leaders and was one of the team's primary serve-receive passers in every rotation. “She was a major offensive threat and defensive presence from anywhere on the court and was clearly one of the major reasons that Cave Spring was 23-4 for the season, losing a 5-set thriller to eventual state champion Loudoun County in the state semifinals,” Tanis said. Lauren Sieckmann, 5-10 S/RS, Marian (Omaha, Nebraska) – Sieckmann scored a rare double by leading the Crusaders in both assists (660) and kills (330) during a campaign in which Marian won its first Class A title in 10 years and lost only once against 42 wins. Already committed to Nebraska, Sieckmann was recognized in-state as the consensus Player of the Year by the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal-Star. The Gatorade committee also took notice and named Sieckmann 2009 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year. Sieckmann also was honored as PrepVolleyball.com 2009 National Sophomore of the Year. Courtney Smith, 6-0 OH, Greenwood (Bowling Green, Kentucky) – The only sophomore and one of only three public school students named to the All-State team in 2009, Smith was a mainstay of the Greenwood offense in 2009, amassing 724 kills, a rate of almost seven per set. She also led the team in digs with 403 and was the top passer. She is one her way to destroying the school record book, said coach Holly Whittinghill, who added that Smith has the potential to be the state Player of the Year when she’s a senior. Alexa Strange, 5-10 S/RS, San Clemente (California) – A huge talent, Strange, named MVP of 15 National in Miami in July, stepped onto the varsity court two months later and shined. The southpaw led the Tritons in assists and was a close second in kills and aces. She was named First Team All South Coast League. Sammie Strausbaugh, 5-8 S/OH, Dover (Pennsylvania) – A do-it-all player, Strausbaugh averaged five kills, 3.5 digs and 3.5 assists per game for Dover in 2009. Named All State for the second straight year, Strausbaugh has an effective jump serve, runs the offense as a setter, http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 14 of 54 terminates plays with kills, does her part passing, and even lends a hand at the net blocking. Behind her leadership, Dover reached the district semifinals in 2009. Rebecca Strehlow, 5-11 S/RS, Wilson (Long Beach, California) – The Bruins were ranked among the nation’s top 100 teams all season long and Strehlow was a catalyst. The intense redhead averaged a double-double and could be counted on to take the big swings or come up with a big block match in and match out. In a true 6-2 offense, she finished the year with 491 assists over 89 sets, while adding 343 kills, 245 digs, 71 blocks and 52 aces. Taylor Treacy, 6-0 MB, Irmo (Columbia, South Carolina) – Though Treacy’s high school coach has not responded despite several direct requests, Treacy was an impact player for Irmo in 2009, a great athlete and “elbows above the net” blocker with great lateral and vertical ability. Alexis Viliunas, 6-0 S, Lyons Township (La Grange, Illinois) – Named Second Team All State by the Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News-Gazette, Viliunas had a monster year in leading nationally-ranked Lyons to a 37-5 record and second place in the Illinois 4A tournament. Utilized more as a hitter in 2009, Viliunas responded with 210 kills to go along with her team-leading 543 assists. She was a top server and blocker as well. Berkley Whaley, 6-1 OH, Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Florida) – Named Pinellas County Player of the Year by the St. Petersburg Times, the uber-athletic Whaley led the county in kills, averaging more than six per set, and carried the Spartans to the regional semifinals in 2009. Natalie Wichern, 5-10 S, Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis, Indiana) – A fierce competitor and hard worker, Wichern set Brebeuf to the Indiana 3A title and a high national ranking in 2009. On the year, she amassed 1,157 assists and 143 digs for a 34-1 team. Very cerebral, Wichern earned AllCounty honors from the Indianapolis Star as well as First Team All State 3A honors from the Indiana coaches association. Katherine Workman, 5-11 OH, La Reina (Thousand Oaks, California) – A dynamic attacker, Workman amassed 415 kills for the Regents in 2009. She also led the team with 343 digs and was a Second Team All CIF-SS Div. II pick. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Shelby Workman, 6-0 RS/S, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kansas) – One of the most versatile players nationally in this class, Workman again led the Stags to a state 5A title. She excelled in the front row as a terrific offensive player and was equally adept at passing. On a very strong 38-5 team, Workman amassed 266 kills, 307 assists and passed a 2.1 in 98 sets. She was named First Team All State 5A, First Team All KC Metro by the Kansas City Star and a member of the 5A All State Tournament team. Anne Yanda, 5-9 Setter, Holy Innocents (Atlanta, Georgia) – A member of the All Area Team and All State Team as well as Team MVP, Yanda put up 612 assists and added 193 digs and 65 kills in 85 games in 2009. A dynamic court leader who works very hard, Yanda is one of the Peach State’s top setters regardless of class. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 15 of 54 HIGHEST HONORABLE MENTION (66) Lori Angello, 5-10 OH, Lansing (Kansas) – A lefty OH with high volleyball I.Q., Angello led her team in kills with 331. Fearless and deceptively strong, she is a pure point scorer for her team. She was All League, Second Team All State and a member of the 5A State Tournament team. Haley Bonneval, 6-1 OH, Fontainebleau (Mandeville, Louisiana) – New to the game but learning quickly, Bonneval, a 10-0 toucher, averaged 17 kills per match for Fontainebleau, which built a 30-1 record with her in the lineup. She was First Team All District, First Team All Metro and All State despite being sidelined by injury for 10 matches. Whitney Burmeister, 5-9 OH, Jackson County Central (Jackson, Minnesota) – Playing on one of the state’s best teams, Burmeister led the Huskies in kills (322; almost four per game), digs (341) and service-receptions in 2009, while adding more than 100 blocks. She was named All Conference, Second Team All Area, the only sophomore named on the first three teams, and Honorable Mention All State. Elizabeth Campbell, 6-1 MB, Wakefield (Raleigh, North Carolina) – A Duke recruit, Campbell helped Wakefield achieve a 25-1 record in 2009, ringing up 261 kills and 57 total blocks. Imposing, aggressive, quick and agile, Campbell was First Team All Conference as well as Academic All Conference and shared team MVP honors with Penn State-bound senior Katie Slay. Allison Cappelino, 5-8 OH, Penfield (New York) – Cappelino is the full package, said coach Drew Solomon. She is a strong attacker, above average defender, reliable passer and potent jump server who plays much larger than her 5-8 frame. In the Sectional playoffs, she recorded 35 kills and 28 digs in a five-set loss to 2008 state champion West Irondequoit. For the season, Cappelino amassed 461 kills (4.6 per set), while adding 310 digs and 70 aces. She was a First Team All County and First Team All Greater Rochester pick. Jennifer Carlson, 5-4 Libero, Marist (Atlanta, Georgia) – Region 6AAAA Player of the Year and an All State pick, the strong passing Carlson passed a 2.37 with 223 digs for the state runners up. Taylor Cook, 5-10 OH/MB, Lesterville (Missouri) – A do-it-all player for the Missouri Class 1 champions, Cook delivered 18 kills and 11 digs for the 27-5-2 Lady Bearcats in 2009. Named First Team All Region and First Team All State, Cook led Class 1 in kills, averaging almost six per set, and was among the state’s top five in any classification. Erin Crandall, 5-7 OH, Cattaraugus-Little Valley (Cattaraugus, New York) – First Team All State in Class D, Crandall led her 8-member Cattaraugus team to its first ever Class D State final, extending eventual winner Edison to five games before giving up the fight. Crandall’s leadership and all-around game helped the Lady Timberwolves to a 19-3-2 record. She was part of a sister http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 16 of 54 duo on the outside, teamed with her 8th-grade-sister, Sarah. Adrianna Culbert, 5-11 S/RS, Kellogg (Delton Michigan) – Explosive First Team All Stater was big factor in getting team to Class B finals. Julia Doyle, 6-1 S, Wayzata (Plymouth, Minnesota) -- Named Third Team All Metro, Doyle led the Trojans to a State runner-up finish in Class AAA and a fourth consecutive Classic Lake Conference title. The southpaw, who also was All Conference and a member of the State AllTournament team, really emerged as a leader during the fall season, displaying an increasingly mature, hard-working, and confident approach to the game. On the court, Doyle distributed the ball with great accuracy, consistency and decision-making. With her length she was both a threat to attack and a shutdown blocker versus many left-side hitters throughout the season. She was also feared for her laser jump float serve and seemed to go on runs at the most important junctures. For the season, she finished with 874 assists (8.4/game), 204 digs (1.96/game), 108 kills (0.263 attack efficiency), 67 aces and 59 blocks. Maddy Doyle, 5-9 OH, Mercy (Farmington Hills, Michigan) – A southpaw, Doyle was OH1 for coach Loretta Vogel and was instrumental in leading Mercy to the Class A Final Four in 2009. She hit .417 on the season and was one of just two sophomores to earn Second Team All State honors. A strong athlete, Doyle also has the requisite skills to be an impact setter or libero. Darian Dozier, 6-0 OH, St. John’s College Prep (Washington, D.C.) – The ultra-athletic Dozier had 214 kills and 65 aces for the Cadets in 2009, but makes her reputation as a defensive fiend. Her 432 digs (4.9 per set) rank among the best in the nation. Nicole Edelmen, 6-1 S/RS, Fairview (Boulder, Colorado) – First Team All Region and HM All State 5A, the smooth and athletic Edelman averaged seven assists, two kills and two digs per set for the Knights in 2009. Emily Ehrle, 6-1 OH, Crowley (Texas) – A future, high-profile recruit, Ehrle did it all for her high school program in 2009. A brilliant student, she led the Eagles with 479 kills, 73 aces, 240 digs and 37 blocks. “She was our ‘go to girl’ on offense,” said coach Kim Wheeler. “When we had to have a kill she had the ability to put it down. Emily played all the way around, and had a significant impact to the team in other ways such as leadership and enthusiasm on the floor.” Krissi Fitzpatrick, 6-0 OH, St. Francis Borgia (Washington, Missouri) – Named Second Team All State in Class 3, Fitzpatrick was key to Borgia’s success in compiling a 2009 record of 26-9-2. She led the team in kills with 287, while adding 180 digs and 66 blocks. A strong leader and clutch player, Fitzpatrick also was a First Team All District, First Team All Area and First Team All Region selection. Janaya Fox, 6-0 OH, Bellevue East (Bellevue, Nebraska) – Second Team All Metro and HM All State, the high-rising Fox was one of the top attackers in Nebraska in 2009. Lauren Hazekamp, 5-7 Setter, Fruitport (Michigan) – The setter led the area with 10.07 assists http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 17 of 54 per set and added 1.5 kills and 2.4 digs in 2009. She was named First Team All State in Class B. Ashley Holder, 5-7 Setter, Marist (Chicago, Illinois) – All Conference and All Area by the Southtown Star, Holder was first on the Redhawks and in the area in assists with 796, first in aces and service points and second in digs. She is smart and skilled and freezes blockers with her deceptive jump sets. She is a fierce competitor who enjoys pressure and knows how to run an offense and instill confidence in her hitters. Jenelle Hudson, 5-9 Setter/OH, Bonita Vista (Chula Vista, California) – Hudson started the year setting and hitting, but became a hitter only later in the year as the Barons needed her to pass and to hit in all six rotations. Hudson, who averaged more than 4.5 kills per set, was the team’s main scorer in every match it played. She was First Team All Metro Conference in 2009 and is so talented that coach Woodie Taetafa said that Hudson is more advanced at the same age than the likes of Jen Saleaumua, who was 2000 Student Sports Magazine National Player of the Year. Alyssa Hunt, 6-0 MB, Independence (Coal City, West Virginia) – First Team All State Class AA, Hunt contributed 324 kills and 92 solo blocks in 100 games for the Patriots in 2009. Jayden Julian, 6-0 OH/MB, Holy Cross (Covington, Kentucky) – Among the leaders in kills and digs in Northern Kentucky in 2009, Julian, who led the team with 329 kills and 236 digs, was First Team All City, First Team All Conference, All District and All Region and Second Team All State. “Jayden is the real deal,” said coach Becky Houston. “This very talented sophomore plays any position and provides the leadership qualities any coach would enjoy!” <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]-->Elaine Kramer, 5-8 OH, Gretna (Nebraska) – Second Team All State and First Team All Omaha, Kramer was third in all of Class B in kills in 2009, amassing more than 320. Angela Lowak, 5-11 OH, New Braunfels (Texas) – A member of the USA Youth National Team, the athletic Lowak averaged four kills and more than three digs per game for the Unicorns in 2009. Lowak was First Team All District. Olivia Magill, 6-2 MB, Seattle Prep (Seattle, Washington) – First Team All League and Honorable Mention All State, Magill’s menacing net presence helped Seattle Prep take fourth place at the 3A state tournament in 2009. A high flyer with a massive wingspan, she racked up 130 stuff blocks last fall, while hitting .322. Alyssa Mason, 6-2 MB, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, California) – Despite playing the season with a broken foot, the intimidating Mason managed 262 kills and 91 total blocks for the California Division II runners up. Mason was Second Team All CIF-SS Div. II. Mackenzie Mayo, 5-5 Libero, Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) –A tremendous passer and back row anchor, the hard-working Mayo ran the defense for a 46-4 team in 2009. She had 575 digs and passed a 2.5 and was a unanimous choice as Defensive Player of the Year in her district. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 18 of 54 Brianna McComeskey, 6-0 MB, East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Florida) – Team leader in kills and blocks in 2009, McComeskey was co-MVP of the team as well as First Team All Pinellas County, where the St. Petersburg Times described her as “A rare combination of size, strength and smarts.” Julie Monroy, 5-9 OH, Union Catholic (Scotch Plains, New Jersey) – A strong hitter, this First Team All State selection helped the Vikings reach the non-public school state final again, where they lost to nationally ranked IHA. Monroy is a well-rounded, dynamic, Division 1-caliber player with the ability and skill set to play any position on the court. Tiffany Morales, 5-6 Libero, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, California) – A highly skilled passer and defender, Morales almost always betters the ball. A human vacuum cleaner at left back, she uses her vast experience to put her in the right position before her opponent attacks and then uses her sheer athleticism to make plays most players can't make. Bay League Libero of the Year and First Team All Area by the Daily Breeze, Morales completed 2009 with 498 digs, 64 aces and 118 assists. Thea Munch-Soegaard, 6-2 OH, Tascosa (Amarillo, Texas) – First Team All State 5A by the TGCAA, Munch-Soegaard is a terminal attacker who paced the Rebels in several categories in 2009. She hit .424 and added almost three digs, two aces and 1 1/2 blocks per game. Meghan Niski, 5-9 OH, St. Charles East (St. Charles, Illinois) – An explosive, dynamic, aggressive player who does everything well, Niski was All Conference and All Area for the Saints after contributing 182 kills and 155 digs in 2009. Paige Neuenfeldt, 6-1 MB, Seaholm (Birmingham, Michigan) – Long and athletic, Neuenfeldt dominated the middle for the Maples in 2009. In 125 games, she compiled 537 kills, 107 blocks and 227 digs. She was selected Third Team All County and Honorable Mention All State. Riley Nordgaard, 5-10 OH, Canby (Minnesota) – All Conference MVP and Second Team All Area, Nordgaard delivered a team-leading 333 kills and a team-leading 350 digs in 2009 for a 28-2-2 team. Toni Okuyemi, 5-9 MB, Wayzata (Plymouth, Minnesota) -- Okuyemi was the best attacker and blocker for the State runner-up and Classic Lake Conference champion Trojans. She is a springloaded middle who consistently beat her opponents to the point of attack all season. She relied on extraordinary quickness and explosiveness as well as guile and great touch on the ball. Voted All Conference and to the State All-Tournament team, Okuyemi was particularly devastating off of one foot behind the setter. She also has the work ethic and 'never quit' attitude that any great middle blocker must possess and pestered some middle blockers headed to Big 10 teams next fall. For the season, she finished with 264 kills (2.54/game hitting at a 0.271 clip) and 90 blocks (26 solo, 64 assist). http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 19 of 54 Hadley Orr, 6-0 OH, Clinton Central (Michigantown, Indiana) --An athletic presence on the court with solid all-around volleyball skills, Orr is an explosive outside hitter with the ability to put a ball away from any position on the court. Sidelined by injury during the first half of the 2009 campaign, Orr returned to average 3.2 kills and 5.0 digs per game. She was named First Team All Conference and First Team All County and Second Team All State in Class 2A. Allison Palmer, 5-9 Setter, Laguna Beach (California) – One of the top young setters in California, there are some who believe she’ll be even better than acclaimed sister Alexandra Palmer by the time she graduates. Playing for a 17-10 team, Palmer, who was All Area Underclass by the Orange County Register, recorded more than 700 assists while also leading the team in aces. Her almost 200 digs also rated as one of the best marks on the Breaker team. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Sierra Patrick, 5-10 OH/RS, Westwood (Round Rock, Texas) – A great athlete, Patrick will be the team’s go-to attacker in 2010, but was a fine second option last fall, amassing 342 kills while adding 63 blocks and 103 digs for a 40-6 team that was ranked among the state’s top 10. Patrick earned First Team All District honors and was recognized as the team’s Outstanding Hitter. Cassie Pelloni, 6-2 OH, Pennfield (Battle Creek, Michigan) – An extreme terminator with a rocket launcher for a right arm, Pelloni had 478 kills in 2009 and her 4.2 kills per set ranked her among the nation’s leading sophomores. Pelloni, who was All KVA as well as Second Team All State Class B, also contributed 74 solo blocks, 48 aces and almost 250 digs for a 35-11-2 team. Kelly Perillo, 6-0 MB, Charter School (Wilmington, Delaware) – A First Team All State pick in 2009, Perillo averaged 4.5 kills per game and demonstrated one of the most powerful spikes in the state consistently last fall. Named team captain, the first time in 25 years that a sophomore had achieved that distinction in coach Dave Stover’s tenure, Perillo also led the team in blocks and was second in digs. “She has a great attitude, takes instruction well, follows the game plan, and works harder than any other player on the team,” said Stover. “Probably the nicest aspect of her game is her total lack of ego; her only concern being the success of the team.” Emma Pettit, 5-10 S, Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins, Colorado) – The Sabercats made the state tournament this year in Class 4A, led by Pettit, daughter of coaching legend Terry Pettit, who averaged 3.6 assists and 2.2 kills per set. Pettit, a club setter, has beautiful hands and was born with a high volleyball I.Q. Sierra Porter, 5-9 Setter, Rocky Mountain (Meridian, Idaho) – The best 5A setter in the state, Porter led Rocky Mountain in assists (634) and aces (66) in 2009. Playing for one of the state’s top teams, the athletic, hard-working Porter also had 237 digs and 72 blocks. She was named First Team All Conference. Bridget Powell, 5-6 Libero, Mother McAuley (Chicago, Illinois) – Powell piled up almost 500 digs in 2009, amazing considering the state plays 2 out of 3. Quick and with a natural ability to read the block, she was one of only two sophomores to earn All-Area recognition by the Daily Southtown Star. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 20 of 54 Kate Praslicka, 5-7 Setter/OH, Waxahachie (Texas) – District kill leader with 528, Praslicka helped the Indians to a 32-12 mark in 2009 and was recognized as District MVP. She also led the team in assists with 512 and added 70 aces. “Kate has great athletic ability combined with an incredible work ethic,” said coach Sandy Faussett. “Defensively she has great instincts, and as a setter does an outstanding job of running our offense. She is smart on the court and displays poise under pressure.” Grace Rebarchak, 6-2 MB, St. Paul’s (Mobile, Alabama) – The athletic middle had almost 200 blocks for the 5A runner up Saints in 2009 and is an emerging offensive force or coach Kelli Hillier. She was Second Team All State. Joy Reinke, 5-11 OH, Tri-City Christian (Vista, California) – Reinke was the driving force behind Tri-City’s second consecutive appearance in the California Div. V finals. She broke the school record for kills, amassing 414 (3.9 per game), was first in aces with 74 and second in digs with 326. She posted 11 double doubles and had 20 matches with double digit kills. Reinke was First Team All League, First Team All CIF-SDS Div. V and was named to the State Tournament Team. Annie Reiswig, 5-10 MB/RS, Truckee (Nevada) – One of the best hitters in the northern part of the Silver State, Reiswig contributed 215 kills in 2009 for the Nevada 3A champs and was named Honorable Mention All Sierra Nevada as well as First Team All League and First Team All State in 3A. She is also a 4.0 student and was honored with the All-State Academic Award. Natalie Riddering, 5-10 OH, El Camino (California) – Heavy armed, heady attacker had 382 kills in 2009 for the Eagles, who were 31-7 and won the section title in 2009. Riddering was league MVP and First Team All Area by the Sacramento Bee. Caroline Rose, 5-7 OH, York (Elmhurst, Illinois) – A dynamic attacker with a great vertical and a very strong defender, Rose finished 2009 with 230 kills and 328 digs and earned all-DuPage County honors. “She is a ball of energy and her feats surprised me many times throughout the season, whether it was an amazing dig, hit, or block against a tough opponent,” said coach Patty Iverson. “Our senior outside hitter was during part of the season and Caroline picked up the slack and then some. She is a major reason for our success this past season.” Lauren Saar, 5-9 OH, Plainwell (Michigan) – First Team All State, Saar was very effective as a classic L2 who would run through a wall for the team. She finished 2009 with 473 kills, 593 digs and 49 aces for one of Michigan’s best teams. Anna Schlaak, 6-0 MB, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (New Richland, Minnesota) – The two-time All Area pick completed her sophomore season with 324 kills, 213 digs and 107 blocks. She is a terrific athlete with a heavy arm and dominated the court for her team. Katarina Schulz, 6-0 RS, Xavier Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) – A devastating offensive player and consistent defender, Schulz missed time due to injury in 2009 but averaged almost four kills, one block and one dig per set when she was in the lineup for the Arizona 5A champs. Second Team http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 21 of 54 All Area, First Team All Region and First Team All State 5A, Schulz, a powerful lefty with setting skills as well, averaged double figure kills in the state semifinals and finals. Allie Schumacher, 6-2 RS/OH, Puyallup (Washington) – Schumacher broke Christal Morrison’s single-season kills record in 2009, recording 465 (4.6 per game) while adding 47 blocks. Coach Tony Batinovich, who has coached Morrison and Stevie Mussie, said that Schumacher, who was voted First Team All League and First Team All Area by the News Tribune, is a sure fire Division I player. Ariel Shonk, 5-8 Libero, Riverwood (Sandy Springs, Georgia) – Team captain for a Riverwood team that reached the Elite Eight in Class AAA in 2009 before falling to the eventual state champs, Shonk is a superb defender who has already amassed 1,000 career digs through two seasons. Named First Team All Region and to the All State team, Shonk also is a strong server and passer. Gaby Smith, 5-8 OH, Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Virginia) – An all-around talent with great speed and a strong work ethic, Smith led Princess Anne to a school-record 21 wins in 2009 while amassing 335 kills, 235 digs, 35 blocks and 35 Aces. Team MVP, this jumping jack was named First Team All District, First Team All Metro and Co-Player of the Year in the Metro Region. Taylor Snyder, 5-9 S, Newport Central Catholic (Newport, Kentucky) – Snyder set a young team to the Kentucky state tournament in 2009. Along the way, NewCath’s team captain and MVP copped MVP honors at the 35th District Tournament and was part of the 10th Region’s All Tournament team. Snyder, who also made the All State Tournament Team and was HM all-Metro, finished the year with 655 assists (8 per game) while adding 78 aces and 93 digs. Sam Staker, 6-2 OH, Taylorsville (Utah) – Second Team All State in Class 5A for the second straight year, Staker, who sets during club season, was an offensive force and a huge blocking threat for Taylorsville in 2009. Cassie Strickland, 5-7 OH, Edison (Huntington Beach, California) – We didn’t receive information about Strickland’s high school exploits, but her game is well known to us. Strickland plays with an intensity and ferocity, front row and back, that makes you want like the dickens to be her teammate. She is a warrior and a great six-rotation talent. Shelby Sullivan, 6-1 MB, J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) – On a stacked team that played for the Texas 4A title, Sullivan contributed two kills (260 total) and almost one block (116) per game. A member of the USA Youth National team, Sullivan can attack from all angles and puts up a block that changes the way opponents run their offense. She was First Team All City in Richardson and District 10-4A co-Blocker of the Year. Sutton Sunstrum, 5-9 OH, Carroll (Southlake, Texas) – MVP of 15 Open at JOs in 2009, Sunstrum is a nice blend of smarts and athleticism. She led 32-11 Carroll in kills in 2009, but has the skills to one day be a superb collegiate libero. She was Newcomer of the Year in District and Carroll’s best server and most consistent player. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 22 of 54 Nici Thaler, 5-4 Libero, Rock Bridge (Columbia, Missouri) – One of the best liberos in the state, Thaler had a school-record 411 digs in 2009, 250 more than any of her Bruin teammates. She also was a standout on serve receive and second on the team in aces. She was a First Team All Region pick. Jussy Tuscherer, 5-10 OH, Northwestern (Mellette, South Dakota) – Arguably the best sophomore in the state, Tuscherer was team captain for the Wildcats and led them to a 29-3 mark in 2009. First Team All State and a member of the Aberdeen American News All-Area Team, Tuscherer contributed 307 kills, 188 digs and 79 blocks and was a primary passer in serve receive. Melanie Wade, 6-5 MB, Palo Alto (California) – First Team All League and HM All-Merc, Wade set a single-season blocks record for Paly with 111 while adding 253 kills for a team that finished 365 in 2009 and won 33 in a row in one stretch. Her intimidating block changes matches, but Wade is quickly developing into an offensive threat at the net as well. Nicole Walch, 6-2 MB, Martin County (Stuart, Florida) – A consensus First Team All Area pick by multiple publications, Walch teamed with her senior sister, Elise, to produce a dream season for the 33-1, state 5A-champion Tigers. A physical player and big block, Walch amassed 291 kills and 63 solo blocks in 2009 and also contributed 44 aces and 101 digs in 96 sets. Meghan Wentzel, 5-9 Setter, The Branson School (Ross, California) – Running a 5-1 offense for the first time in her life, Wentzel set Branson all the way to the California Division V state title in 2009. She averaged a team leading 9.0 assists per game and also was second on the squad in aces and third in digs. A member of the All State Tournament team, head coach Michelle Brazil said Wentzel makes great decisions and “is not afraid to make the gutsy play, which often results in a one or no-blocker-up scenario.” Kyndal Williams, 5-8 Setter, Helena (Montana) – First Team All Conference and First Team All State, Williams averaged nine assists and two aces per game in 2009 for a 21-3-3 Helena team. “Kyndal was the single most important player on our team,” said coach Sheila Williams. “She willed our team to wins and is an outstanding leader.” Nikki Yost, 5-9 OH, Connelly (Anaheim, California) – Yost was the hitting star for the Koalas, who won their fourth consecutive section title in 2009. She led her team in kills (237), digs (184) and aces (65) and was both league MVP and CIF-Southern Section Div. V Player of the Year. Sheridan Zarda, 5-5 Libero, St. James (Lenexa, Kansas) – A leader by word and by deed and the back row anchor for the 40-4 Thunder, Zarda had 391 digs and 35 aces in 2009 for the Kansas 4A champs. This hustler earned Second Team All State and HM All Area honors and was a member of the 4A State Tournament team. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 23 of 54 ELITE HONORABLE MENTION (77) Kendall Pierce Tanna Aljoe, 5-9 Setter, Grapevine (Texas) – The athletic Aljoe led Grapevine to a 24-16 mark in 2009 and to the 5A playoffs. Aljoe was First Team All District 5-5A. Lexi Anderson, 5-8 RS, Horizon (Scottsdale, Arizona) – An outstanding defender, Anderson led the surprise Arizona state champion with 586 digs. Her 176 kills placed her third for coach Valorie McKenzie’s team. She is a club setter. Annie Arnzen, 5-10 OH, Mt. Spokane (Mead, Washington) – The top player on one of the top Class 3A teams in the state, Arnzen had 247 kills, 120 digs and 39 aces in 2009. She was First Team All League and First Team All State. Bianca Arrellano, 5-8 OH, Xavier Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) – A wonderfully athletic club setter, Arrellano played on the outside for the Gators in 2009 and excelled, amassing more than 300 kills and almost 300 digs for the state 5A champs. She was named First Team All Area and Second Team All State. Coach Tim McHale called Arrellano a “tireless worker” and “as tough a competitor as I have worked with.” http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 24 of 54 Dana Backlund, 5-10 S, Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, California) – The Second Team All Area performer led MV in assists with 632 while adding 130 digs, 91 kills and 48 aces. Casie Baer, 5-8 Setter, Canby (Minnesota) – Named Player of the Year by the Marshall Independent, Baer led Canby to a 28-2-2 record in 2009 and within two wins of a trip to the Minnesota Class A tournament. On the year, Baer recorded 847 assists, while adding 104 kills, 55 aces and 238 digs. Kehaulani Baker, 5-8 S, Basha (Chandler, Arizona) – HM All State 5A, Baker ran a 5-1 offense in 2009 for Basha, which placed fifth in Class 5A-I. Versatility and strength are her assets as she hits a heavy ball and plays crazy defense. She led her high school in games played (116), assists (951) and aces (46) and was second in digs (260). Sarah Baugh, 5-9 S/OH, North Kitsap (Poulsbo, Washington) – A unanimous choice as MVP of the Olympic League, Baugh compiled a team-leading 321 assists, a team-leading 295 kills and 191 digs in 2009 for a team that was ranked as high as No. 3 in the state during the regular season. A cerebral setter, Baugh combined great physical skill with the knowledge of whom, when and where to set the ball, as well as when to be offensive herself. As a hitter, she possesses both power and finesse. Alex Beecher, 5-8 Libero, Bishop Moore Catholic High School (Orlando, Florida) –A ball control maven, Beecher makes it look easy. She led her team in digs with 345 and aces with 34 in 2009, all the while with a smile on her face. Beecher was named Second Team All Central Florida, the only soph to earn better than HM honors. Aubrey Bekendam, 5-9 OH, Hamilton (Hamilton City, California) – Named Second Team All State Div. V by MaxPreps, Bekendam amassed 445 kills and 295 digs in 2009 for a 36-6 team. Kennedy Bryan, 6-1 OH, Chattahoochee (Alpharetta, Georgia) – Effective in all six rotations, Bryan is a strong attacker and blocker at the net and moves and reads well on defense. In 2009, Bryan contributed 327 kills (3.1 per game) while adding 276 digs, 58 aces and 41.5 blocks. She was selected to the All Area team. “Kennedy is a smart volleyball player, which makes her talent even more deadly,” said coach Jennie Coniker. “She can basically play anywhere on the court at any time you need her to and take care of the ball in a crunch.” Vivian Burcescu, 6-2 OH/MB, Walter Panas (Croton, New York) – Burcescu helped lead her team to an undefeated Conference I-B league title in 2009. Burcescu led the team in both blocks (65) and aces (53) while compiling 198 kills (3.7 per game) with a hitting percentage of .347. She played all the way around and was a contributor on defense and serve receive. Burcescu was a member of the All-Section, Super 70, and All League teams. “At our school I anticipate Vivian to rewrite the record books before she graduates,” said coach Joe Felipe. “I expect Vivian to not only be the best player in our section by the time she is a senior, but possibly the state.” Kelsey Chambers, 5-8 MB, Jordan (Minnesota) – HM All State by the Pioneer Press, Chambers http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 25 of 54 led the Jaguars with 524 kills in 2009, while also setting the team standard in aces and blocks. She added almost 200 digs for an 18-10 team. Morgan Cormier, 5-10 MB, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, California) – Cormier played a supporting role in 2009 for the California D-III champs – 180 kills, 132 blocks, 49 aces – but coach Kelly Drobeck says that Cormier, who was Second Team All League, First Team All CIF SDS Division III and a member of the D-III All State Tournament team, has the potential to be the top middle in the county by the time she’s a senior. Cassidy Croci, 6-0 MB, St. Ursula (Toledo, Ohio) – First Team All City League and Second Team All District, Croci was second on the Arrows in kills with 210 in 2009. She led the team with 126 total blocks and also was first in kill efficiency and attack percentage. Alyssa Davis, 5-9 Setter, Plainwell (Michigan) – Silky smooth setter earned First Team All State honors in starring role on one of the state’s finest teams. She finished 2009 with 1,217 assists, 118 kills, 365 digs and 67 aces. Adena Delozier, 5-8 Setter, Altoona (Pennsylvania) – First Team All Conference and First Team All District, Delozier amassed 851 assists in 2009, while adding 109 kills, 113 digs, 54 aces and 67 blocks for the Lions. "Without a senior on our team we relied on our sophomore setter, Adena Delozier, to be our court leader,” said coach Karan Price. “Her ability to run a fast tempo offense along with her competitiveness and court savvy helped us win our district championship, regional playoffs and move into the first round of the PIAA State Championships this past season." Amy Dion, 5-5 Libero, Huntley (Illinois) – The fleet-footed libero led the area in digs in 2009 with 380. She added 45 aces and was named First Team All Fox Valley. Cody Dodd, 6-3 RS/MB, Cookeville (Tennessee) – Her team’s MVP, Dodd averaged almost five kills and 3.4 blocks per game in 2009, while adding more than two digs per game. She made the All District Tournament and All Region Tournament teams and also was an All-Midstate pick. Caiti Donahoe, 5-10 Setter, Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) – Second Team All Area, Donahoe was the quarterback for a very successful Gibbons team last fall. She is smart, has good size and excellent hands. Ryan Farley, 5-9 Setter, La Jolla (California) – One of the top setters in San Diego County, Farley delivered 905 assists for the Vikings in 2009, while adding 228 digs and 57 aces. She was both a First Team All Western League pick, rare for a sophomore, as well as First Team All CIF-SDS Division III. Sarah Farmer, 6-0 Setter, Tupelo (Mississippi) – One of three Farmer sisters who helped lead Tupelo to the state large-class championship in 2009, Sarah Farmer, playing front row only, averaged 5.4 assists, 1.2 kills and 2.1 blocks per game in 2009. A solid setter with the athleticism to grow further in the position, Farmer made the State All Tournament team. “She http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 26 of 54 was able to put pressure on defenses with her ability to elevate and set or hit,” said coach Clint Jordan. “The disruption her ability caused allowed both of her sisters to hit on single blocks the entire time she was on the net. She was the key to our offense and allowed us to take chances on defense because of her one-on-one blocking ability.” Kelsey Fien, 6-3 MB, Frontier (Bakersfield, California) – Heavily recruited, Fien recorded 240 kills (2.7 per set) while adding 61 total blocks and 143 digs in 2009. Fien helped lead the Titans to the Central Section Div. II title. First Team All League, Fien is a powerful player who can hit a heavy ball and has great ball handling skills. Liz Fortado, 6-2 RS, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) – The powerful southpaw was a First Team All District pick and helped Marcus to the 5A regional finals in 2009. Kellie Goedken, 6-0 MB, Sheldon (Iowa) – A good arm out of the middle, Goedken amassed more than 250 kills in 2009 for a Sheldon team that reached the 2A finals. Also a good blocker, Goedken was Second Team All State. Kamrin Gold, 6-1 Setter/OH, Carman-Ainsworth (Flint, Michigan) – Blessed with great hands and feet for a tall player and a blazing fast arm swing, Gold led her high school team in kills, assists, aces and blocks in 2009. The team struggled but Gold, who was an All Region pick, did not. She will be one of the most highly recruited players in the 2012 class. Krystalyn Goode, 6-4 MB, Nicolet (Glendale, Wisconsin) – Coming on strong, Goode’s presence at the net helped the Knights get to the state tournament for the first time in 28 years. She finished the season with 142 kills, but “makes her money” by being a HUGE intimidator on the block. She finished 2009 with 108 solo blocks and altered countless more shots. A brilliant student, Goode will be a force her last two years of high school. Michelle Griffith, 5-7 S, College Park (The Woodlands, Texas) – Montgomery County Setter of the Year, Griffith contributed 831 assists, 260 digs and 31 aces in 2009 for one of the top teams in Texas. She was also named Academic All–District and First Team All County. Kelsie Groot, 6-0 MB, Northwood (Irvine, California) – First Team All League and First Team All City by the Irvine City News, Groot was Northwood’s MVP after compiling 347 kills and 160 digs in 2009. She had an astounding 41 kills in one five-set win. "Kelsie Groot was the heart and soul of our team," said Coach John Gaido. "She's the best player in the 10 year history of Northwood volleyball. As one of the team captains, she led by example, encouraged teammates and competed harder than anyone. Kelsie is not only a great athlete, but a great person as well." Mary Henry, 5-10 Setter, Marian (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan) – Named Third Team All Area, Henry directed the Mustangs’ high-powered attack in 2009. She amassed more than 1,500 assists and 300 digs for a 77-2 team that won the Michigan Class A title. Deven Hunter, 6-1 MB, McNary (Keizer, Oregon) – A talented multi-sport athlete, Hunter has the potential to be big time in volleyball with some focus and attention to the sport. A tower in http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 27 of 54 the middle blocking and hitting, she led the Celtics to the state 6A tournament in 2009. Cheyanne James, 5-10 OH, Kellam (Virginia Beach, Virginia) – James exploded onto the scene as a freshman offensive standout. As a sophomore, she improved her ball handling and became a six-rotation contributor and led her team to district semifinal appearance. She was voted AllDistrict and All Region and Second Team All Area. Kelly Johnson, 6-1 Setter, Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, California) – After leading PV in kills as a freshman, Johnson switched to setter this year, led the team in assists (seven per game), was second in blocks and third in digs. She led the team to the CIF Playoffs and was named Second Team All Bay League. Kalah Jones, 6-0 OH, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Georgia) – Powerful, intimidating attacker had 390 kills (3.9 per game) for a Sandy Creek team that reached the state AAAA Final Four MacKenzie Kitchel, 6-0 OH/MB, Center Grove (Greenwood, Indiana) – Named HM All-South by the Indianapolis Star, Kitchel, the daughter of former Indiana hoop star Ted Kitchel, is a good one who will only get better. She had 251 kills and 100 blocks in 2009 for the Trojans and did not come off the floor for a team that reached the Final Four in Class 4A. Lindsey Knapp, OH, Boca Raton (Florida) – First Team All Area in one publication, Second Team All Area in another, Knapp recorded 284 kills and 174 digs in 2009, helping the young Bobcats to reach the state 6A Final Four. Rachel Lentz, 6-0 MB, Hempfield (Landisville, Pennsylvania) – Lentz’ high level of play as a middle was instrumental in guiding the Black Knights to the LL and District III titles and the PIAA semifinal match last fall. A good athlete who loves to compete, Lentz developed into a primary offensive threat for Hempfield. She produced 331 kills and 59 blocks, both team highs, for coach Patrick Shawaryn. A hard worker with exceptional balance, a live arm and a very quick first step, Shawaryn expects Lentz to develop into one of the best middles in the state by next fall. Makenna Lommori, 5-10 Setter Yerington (Nevada) – Honorable Mention All Sierra Nevada, First Team All League and First Team All State in 3A, Lommori was the most talented of four starting sophs who helped lead Yerington to the state 3A finals. She finished the season with 710 assists, 48 blocks, 218 digs, 154 kills and 61 aces. Jackie Macy, 5-9 Setter, St. Lucy’s (Glendora, California) – A 5-1 setter in 2009 for the Regents, who reached the CIF-SS Div. II quarterfinals, Macy delivered more than 700 assists while adding 162 digs and 29 aces. She made 1st team All-Sierra League and 2nd team All-CIF. Gabby Mallette, 6-1 MB/OH, The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida) – A transfer from Orange Park, Mallette, a 10-2 toucher and great athlete, made an immediate impact for The Bolles School in 2009. She had 172 kills and almost 100 blocks as the Bulldogs compiled a 22-9 record and reached the Florida 3A semifinals. Mallette earned Second Team All Area recognition. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 28 of 54 Amy Matula, 5-10 Setter, St. George’s (Collierville, Tennessee) – An All Region performer named Best of Preps by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Matula set St. George’s to third place in the state in 2009, recording 289 kills, 134 aces, 279 digs and 606 assists. Megan McGehee, 6-3 MB, Lee’s Summit West (Lee’s Summit, Missouri) – Blocking leader for the Titans with 90, McGehee added 211 kills for a 30-4 team. She was First Team All Conference and All District. Maura McGivern, 5-11 OH, Hayden (Topeka, Kansas) – First Team All City in Topeka, McGivern helped the Wildcats to a second-place finish in the 4A state tournament. A dynamic player, she was selected to the All 4A State Tournament team, capping a year in which she delivered 356 kills and 47 blocks. Taylor Migliazzo, 5-4 Libero, St. Teresa’s (Kansas City, Missouri) – Honorable Mention All Region, Migliazzo, the libero for national club champion KC Power 16-1, averaged 5.3 digs per set and passed a 2.4 for St. Teresa’s in 2009. “Her athletic ability is hard to deny and other teams fear her,” said head coach Amy Carlson. Jasmine Morrow, 5-6 OH, Evangel Christian (Dale City, Virginia) – Area Player of the Year, this high flyer was Old Dominion Association of Church Schools state MVP as well as First Team All State after amassing 315 kills, 373 digs and 114 aces. Dani Musselman, 5-9 OH, Washburn Rural (Topeka, Kansas) – Topeka City Newcomer of the Year, Musselman, a First Team All League pick, had 278 kills, 153 digs and 51 aces for the 41-4 6A state champions. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Sara Myers, 6-0 OH/MB, Bishop Lynch (Dallas, Texas) – Very diverse, Myers can dominate from any position up front. She had 337 kills and 60 solo blocks in 2009. Above average in the back row as well, Myers is competitive, with an intense personality and strong leadership skills. She was Second Team All State TAPPS 5A and District Newcomer of the Year. Janelle Nagy, 5-11 Setter, Airport (Carleton, Michigan) – Nagy possesses all the tools to be a great setter, said coach Barb Kohn. She is quick to the ball with great hands and gets better every day. In 2009, she broke 1,000 assists for Airport while adding 157 kills, 230 digs and 70 aces. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Caitlin Nolan, 5-6 Libero, Carroll (Southlake, Texas) – A relentless defender and pinpoint passer, Nolan jump-started Carroll’s offense in 2009. Victoria Phillips, 5-8 Setter, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, North Carolina) -- Carolina 3A allconference, Phillips led the state-champion Crusaders with 652 assists in 77 sets (8.5 avg.) in 2009. Extremely fast and athletic, Phillips added 106 digs and 34 aces. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 29 of 54 Kendall Pierce, 5-6 OH, Eden (New York) – Pierce earned a six-rotation starting spot on one the top prep programs in the East and is one of the state’s top defenders in any class. She was second on the Raiders in digs in 2009 and hit. 246 on the year. Katherine Plessy, 5-10 OH, Walton (Marietta, Georgia) – Kelly Murphy got the ink for Walton last fall, but fellow sophomore Plessy, a Texas transplant, recorded 388 kills (3.4 per game) for the state AAAAA runners up and was team captain. Emily Podschweit, 5-7 OH, Pleasant Valley (Bettendorf, Iowa) – Mighty mite earned First Team All Metro honors by the Quad City Times after averaging 3.21 kills and 4.21 digs per set one year removed from devastating knee injury. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Hannah Rauch, 6-0 OH, Centennial (Frisco, Texas) – Blessed with a blazing fast arm, Rauch delivered 280 kills (3.6 per game), 129 digs and 49 aces for the 37-7 Titans in 2009. Darby Reeder, 5-5 OH, Whittell (Zephyr Cove, Nevada) – Considered the best libero in Northern Nevada, Reeder hit outside for her high school in 2009 and made the 2A All-North Team as well as HM All Sierra Nevada. She led Whittell to the 2A state finals in spite of the team’s losing its top middle, outside and setter to season-ending injuries. Ashley Rosch, 6-0 MB, Cary-Grove (Cary, Illinois) – A great slide attacker, Rosch delivered more than 150 kills in 2009 for the Illinois 4A champs and also was a terrific blocker, getting her hands on more than 200 attacks. Claire Sames, 5-9 MB, Shakopee (Minnesota) – Sames has started for two years for the Sabers. Both seasons have culminated in Minnesota large-class state titles. A quick and versatile attacker, the “Sames threat” in the middle took pressure off of Shakopee’s outside hitters and helped the team be successful. Sames finished 2009 with 150 kills and 57 blocks and was both HM All Conference and a member of the 2009 All State Tournament team. Peyton Schlosser, 6-0 OH, Pompano Beach (Florida) – A scoring machine, Schlosser generated 255 points on her serve (57 aces), tops among small schools, and added 222 kills and 84 blocks. She was a First Team All Area pick. Karis Schneider, 6-1 OH, Thousand Oaks (California) -- First Team All League, HM All Area and MVP of the Lancers in 2009, Schneider was TO’s offensive leader. She hits a heavy ball from the left side or back row. Patreece Spence, 5-6 OH, Archmere Academy (Wilmington, Delaware) – Nicknamed “Spanky,” Spence averaged 3.3 kills and 3.3 digs per set in 2009. First Team All Conference and Second Team All State, Spence became a huge offensive threat to her opponents while dazzling them with her aggressive digging style. Bailey Springer, 6-1 OH, All Saints Episcopal (Fort Worth, Texas) – One of the leading attackers http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 30 of 54 in the Metroplex, Springer averaged almost six kills per set in 2009 (458 total) while adding three digs and almost one ace. She was named First Team All Conference. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Laura Steiner, 6-1 MB, Fort Collins (Colorado) – HM All State 5A, Steiner is a power-packed athlete with a blazing arm. Grace Streicher, 5-9 Setter, Cherokee (Marlton, New Jersey) – Streicher set a single-season assist record in 2009 for the Chiefs, who compiled a 21-5 record and reached the state Group IV quarterfinals. Team captain as a sophomore, Streicher also was First Team All Conference, First Team All South Jersey and Second Team All State Group IV. Lianna Sybeldon, 6-2 MB, Ponderosa (California) – A 10-0 toucher and dynamic, quick attacker, Sybeldon was Honorable Mention All League in 2009. Jordan Timmer, 5-10 Setter, Lowell (Michigan) – One of the state’s finest setters, Timmer is a strong athlete who has taken the Lowell program to new heights in two short years. She broke the school’s single-season assist record in 2009 and also was second on the team in kills. Timmer, who was an All Conference pick, also was MVP when her club team, MVA, won JVDA nationals in the 15 Club division last summer. Jordyn Ute, 5-0 Libero, Elgin (Marion, Ohio) – The only libero honored as All State in Division III (Third Team), Ute set school records for digs in a match (48) and a season (685) in 2009. Kathleen Vogel, 5-10 OH, St. Teresa’s (Kansas City, Missouri) – First Team All Region, Vogel averaged almost four kills and three digs per set in 2009. A big swinger, Vogel led St. Teresa’s in kills. She finished second in digs as well as service aces. Natalie Vondrak, 6-1 MB, Bishop Heelan (Sioux City, Iowa) – Honorable Mention All State, Vondrak was a strong hitter out of the middle for one of the state’s best teams and added almost one solo block per set in 2009. Nicole Walker, 5-10 OH, Burke (Omaha, Nebraska) – HM All Nebraska Class A, the consistent Walker finished among the top 10 in Class A in kills in 2009, recording almost 300 terminations. Walker also had 290 digs and 45 aces for a team that was among the state’s top 10. Kathleen Wallace, 5-8 OH, The Branson School (Ross, California) – A great leaper who knows how to score, Wallace averaged 3.4 kills per set in 2009 for the California D-V champs. Also blessed with a potent jump serve, Wallace, who was 15 American MVP at JOs last summer, learns quickly and is a hard worker. Crystal Whitten, 5-6 OH, Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kansas) – HM All State 6A, First Team All League and First Team All Metro, Whitten amassed 415 kills and 171 digs in 2009. Morgan Wilkening, 5-10 MB, Fleming (Colorado) – The Wildcats didn’t win Class 1A in 2009, http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 31 of 54 but the state runners up got another great year from Wilkening, who was a repeat First Team All State selection. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Kasey Williams, 5-9 Setter, Middleton (Wisconsin) – First Team All Conference, Williams can take any pass and seta hittable ball to an attacker. Williams had almost 1,200 assists in 2009 and added almost 200 digs for a state tournament team. Laura Williams, 5-10 OH, Lyons Township (La Grange, Illinois) – A two-year starter, Williams helped Lyons reach the state Class 4A title match in 2009. Named All Conference, Williams recorded 233 kills, 195 digs, 58 aces and 26 solo blocks for a 37-5 team last fall. An all-around talent who can also set, her aggressive serve helped to keep teams off balance all year long. Lindsey Wintzinger, 5-10 OH, Huntsville (Alabama) – A club setter, Wintzinger played outside for the Panthers in 2009, because they had a pretty good senior setter, her sister, Chelsea, the Alabama Gatorade POY. Lindsey Wintzinger delivered the final kill for Huntsville in 2009 to wrap up the 6A title and finished third on the squad with 292 kills. She also had 327 digs, 52 blocks and 90 aces. She was Second Team All State and a member of the Class 6A State AllTournament team. Margaret Wuebker, 6-0 MB, Marion Local (Maria Stein, Ohio) – Second Team All Conference and Second Team All District, the fiercely competitive Wuebker was a key and vastly improved member for the undefeated Ohio D-IV champs. Touching 9-10 off of one foot, she led Marion Local in blocks and third in kills and became more and more of a go-to player down the stretch for coach Amy Steininger. Nicole Yuede, 5-8 OH, Francis Howell North (St. Charles, Missouri) – The Knights won their district for the first time in several years last fall and with Yuede as a mainstay. She led the team in almost every major category, including kills (2.72 per game) as the team’s go-to hitter and digs (3.53 per). She also used her wicked jump serve to set a new school record with 80 aces. She was First Team All Conference, District MVP and Honorable Mention All Region. HIGH HONORABLE MENTION (70) http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 32 of 54 Alyssa Lelm Brooke Aiazzi, 5-6 OH, Yerington (Nevada) – A tough defender with a competitive streak, Aiazzi contributed 317 digs, 245 kills and 24 aces to the cause of the state 3A runner up in 2009. She earned Honorable Mention All Sierra Nevada recognition as well as First Team All League and First Team All State honors in 3A. Tyana Andrews, 6-0 OH/S, Centralia (Washington) – Andrews has a great all-around skill set that allowed her to transition from middle as a freshman to the outside hitter and setter positions as a sophomore. She led a team with no seniors on it to a 19-11 record, almost identical to 2008, while leading the team in kills, blocks and hitting percentage. A selfless player who will do whatever it takes to help the team, Andrews was named to the Chronicle All-Area team and was an All-State http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 33 of 54 honorable mention pick. Tarryn Angermeier, 5-10 MB, Dorman (Roebuck, South Carolina) – Very bright and a member of the All Area Academic Team, Angermeier was a formidable net presence for the state 4A champs in 2009 and arguably the most potent offensive weapon for the Cavaliers in their championship sweep of Lexington. On the year, she hit .338 and amassed 272 kills while contributing 65 solo blocks and 31 aces. Jazzmin Babers, 6-0 MB, Midway (Waco, Texas) – Babers made her presence felt in her first year on varsity, recording an astounding 160 solo blocks. Named Middle Blocker of the Year in District 16-4A, Babers, whose father is a college football coach, was named Newcomer of the Year as well as all Super Centex Volleyball by the Waco Tribune. Katie Bange, 6-4 RS, Pope (Marietta, Georgia) – An intimidator on the right side, Bange blocked 51 balls in 2009 for the AAAAA state champs, but challenged and altered scores more. She also added 244 kills as a potent third option on the nationally-ranked Greyhound team. Annika Bastanchury, 6-1 RS, Santa Ynez (California) – Called “Robin Hood” because she was the 2007 California Indoor State Archery Champion, Bastanchury produced 212 kills, 62 aces, 161 assists and 46 blocks in 2009. She was First Team All League, described by coach Chip Fenenga as a “sweet heart but the fangs come out when the whistle blows.” Camille Benson, 5-7 Libero, Burnsville (Minnesota) – A tireless worker, Benson’s backcourt prowess helped the Blaze reach the state AAA tournament in 2009, where they finished third. Benson, who had 15 digs in the win over Stillwater for third, averaged almost five digs per set in 2009. A great leader and tough competitor, Benson “finds a way to get balls up in the air that shouldn't be hers, and that honestly deserve to be points,” said Burnsville coach Ryan Dehnel. Hannah Berling, 5-9 Setter, Lakota East (Liberty Township, Ohio) – Berling averaged more than eight assists per game in 2009 and was First Team All-GMC. “She makes the offense happen,” said coach Emily Langan. “Whether it be a quick set to the middle or a shoot set outside, she gets the ball where it needs to go.” Catherine Chason, 5-7 S, Greater Atlanta Christian (Atlanta, Georgia) – A club libero, Chason excelled as a high school middle as a freshman and played setter as a sophomore. Can you say all-around talent? A truly great passer and exceptional athlete, Chason was needed at setter for GAC in 2009 and led her team to a 31-7 record and Final Four finish at state. She finished the year with 694 assists, 71 aces and 166 digs and was named to the Area 4A/AA All-tournament team. Chason also was selected First Team All County and Honorable Mention All State. Taylor Gibson, 5-7 S, Guntersville (Alabama) – A great athlete, Gibson led the Wildcats to a 627 record in 2009 and the Alabama 4A title. She compiled 1505 assists last fall in 161 games, but her skills extend beyond delivering a hittable ball to her teammates. She’s a great blocker for her height (77 blocks) and her cat-like reflexes help her cover a lot of ground both on defense (297 digs) and in chasing down errant passes. Gibson was a member of the Class 4A All-State http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 34 of 54 Tournament team. Abby Gilleland, 5-10 S, Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, Illinois) – Team MVP, First Team All Conference and Honorable Mention All Area, Gilleland is a strong setter and powerful allaround athlete who contributed 662 assists, 160 digs and 123 total blocks to her team, which finished 27-11 in 2009. Lexi Gober, 5-7 Setter, Edwardsville (Illinois) – One of the top young setters in Illinois, Gober, a technically clean setter with great skills, recorded 729 assists in 2009, while adding 168 digs, 37 blocks and 53 kills. She was named Second Team All Area. Jessica Graham, 5-8 OH, Northwood Academy (Charleston, South Carolina) – SCISA All State, Graham led Northwood to a Final Four performance in the state independent league tournament. The backbone of her team, Graham led the Chargers in kills and digs in 2009. Meghan Haggerty, 6-3 MB, Benet Academy (Lisle, Illinois) – Very athletic and fast improving, Haggerty led the Redwings in blocks and hitting percentage while finishing third in total kills. A 10 -3 toucher, Haggerty is being very heavily recruited. Katie Harrington, 5-10 Setter/OH, Newark Catholic (Newark, Ohio) – First Team All District and HM All State, Harrington was a talented setter and go-to hitter for NewCath in 2009. Karlie Hauer, 5-10 MB, Andover (Minnesota) – Hauer made quite a splash in her first varsity campaign. She finished second on a top 10 team in kills with 274 and first in blocks with 87. A big jumper, she is fairly new to the game and has lots of untapped potential. Emily Jaska, 5-7 Setter, Lorena (Texas) – First Team Super Centex selection amassed almost 1,000 assists in 2009 for the Lady Leopards. Isia Johnson, 5-10 OH, Auburn (Washington) – Second Team All League and HM All Area by News Tribune, Johnson averaged almost four kills per game in 2009. Jessica Johnson, OH, Land O’Lakes (Florida) – A versatile player, Johnson led an 11-9 team in kills with 261, twice as many as anyone else on her team, and was second in aces and third in digs. She was named Second Team All North Suncoast. Devin Judge, 6-0 RS/MB/Setter, Sprayberry (Marietta, Georgia) – Playing multiple positions because of injuries to teammates, Judge showed her versatility, finishing with 210 kills, 236 assists, 185 digs, 84 blocks and 71 aces for the 33-14 Yellowjackets. Jasmine Julye, 5-10 MB, Tehachapi (California) – Talented in all aspects, Julye was First Team All League in 2009. A blocking machine, Julye had 79 solo blocks and 155 assisted blocks for a 29 -5 team and added 165 kills as a straight-down hitter. Tori Kemper, 5-7 OH, Valley Catholic (Beaverton, Oregon) – An explosive player, Kemper http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 35 of 54 helped lead Valley Catholic to a third-place finish in the Oregon 3A championships. She was a First Team All League performer during the regular season, averaging a team-leading 3.5 kills per game, while adding 2.7 digs, second only to libero. She was Second Team All State. Victoria Kirkemo, 5-9 OH, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colorado) – Second Team All Centennial League in 2009, Kirkemo led the 21-8 Bruins in aces with 53 and was among the team’s leaders in kills (254) and dig (186). Katie Klein, 5-9 RS, Rosary (Fullerton, California) – A lefty, Klein averaged 4.5 kills and 1.5 aces per game in 2009. “Her ability to hit high with range allowed her to score from the right side in both the front and back rows,” said coach Tim Layton of the Second Team All League pick. Desi Koleva, 5-9 OH, South Torrance (Torrance, California) – First Team All League, Koleva, a strong athlete with a smart game sense, recorded 303 kills, 231 digs and 53 aces in 2009. The game’s in her genes – her mom once set the Bulgarian Junior National Team. Delaney Laper, 5-9 OH, North Tonawanda (New York) – Part of a 1-2 punch that helped NT to a sectional title, Laper is a strong all-around player who has a lot of shots in her arsenal, combined with great court vision and superior ball control. She finished 2009 with 429 kills, 411 digs and 60 aces. Kaitlyn Layden, 5-11 OH, Chapel Hill (North Carolina) – Layden was an All Conference performer and Team MVP in 2009 for the 25-6 Tigers. Morgan Lear, 5-3 Libero, Jupiter (Florida) – First Team All County, Lear had 459 digs and 62 aces in 2009. Ashley Lechleidner, 5-8 OH, Ponte Vedra (Florida) – Puerto Rican transplant is an athletic leaper who led Ponte Vedra in kills and aces in 2009. Erin Lehman, 6-0 OH/MH, Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay, Wisconsin) -- Fox River Classic Conference Co-Player of the Year, First Team All Area and Honorable Mention All State, Lehman averaged more than five kills per set for a 16-6 team in 2009. Alyssa Lelm, 5-10 MB, Deer Creek-Mackinaw (Mackinaw, Illinois) – A great athlete who touches 10-0 with extraordinary hang time, Lelm made two All Tournament teams in 2009 while amassing 278 kills (almost four per set), 184 digs and 63 blocks. Named Second Team All Conference, coach Jennifer Mallicoat said that Lelm, a two-year starter, has great awareness, plays smart and has Division I potential. Marissa Lisenbee, 6-2 MB/RS, Seminole (Florida) – HM all-Pinellas County and Second Team All Conference, the efficient Lisenbee had 246 kills, 104 digs and 61 solo blocks in 2009. She plays smart, is quick to the block and a player you must account for when she is in the front row. Madison Loebel, 6-2 MB, Indian Rocks Christian (Largo, Florida) – A strong, tall player who http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 36 of 54 plays at a very high level all the time, Loebel was Honorable Mention All County in 2009 after producing 282 kills (second on team), 55 blocks (first) and 45 aces (first) in 2009. Blessed with a very heavy arm swing, Loebel also got some time in the back row, recording 122 digs. Kayla Lowers, 5-8 OH, Parkersburg (West Virginia) – A hitting machine, Lowers smashed 418 kills and added 360 digs, 48 blocks and 58 aces for the Big Reds, who finished second in the state in Class 4A. She was a member of the West Virginia All State team as well as a member of the All State Tournament team. Marah Maycock, 5-8 Setter/OH, Randolph (New York) -- Maycock is a big-jumping, blue-chip athlete who excels in any sport she attempts. A top hoops player in Western New York, Maycock possesses cat-like reflexes and a slingshot arm that helped Randolph's young team to a 16-2 record. She was named Second Team All State in Class D. Genelle McFarland, 5-9 MB, Watertown (Wisconsin) – Stuck in the middle for the second straight year, McFarland made the most of it, producing 192 kills. A great defender, she added 247 digs. Coach Travis Hull said she’ll be a force in 2010 when she transitions to the outside. Kennedy McGrath, 5-5 Libero, Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, California) – A transfer from Mira Costa, McGrath led the Sea Kings in digs in 2009, averaging more than five per set. The coaching staff agrees that the phenomenally quick McGrath is one of the best they have ever seen and one of the best defensive players in the Bay League last fall. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Natalie Means, 5-9 OH, East Kentwood (Kentwood, Michigan) – Quick, with a great touch and good all-around feel for the game, Means recorded 521 kills in 41 matches for the Falcons. She also had 38 aces and averaged 2.6 digs per set. Kyana Miller, 5-7 Setter, Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego, California) – The crafty Miller, a first-year varsity player, amassed 730 assists in 2009 and her average of 9.7 per game led San Diego County. Miller also led the team in aces and earned Second Team All League and First Team All CIF Div. III San Diego Section honors. Mallori Moffat, 5-6 Setter, Martin County (Stuart, Florida) – A tough athlete, Moffat set in a 6-2 for the Florida 5A champs and recorded 574 assists, 226 digs and 93 kills. A spitfire, look for Moffat to run the team alone in 2010. Nicole Moorman, 6-1 MB, Moon Township (Pennsylvania) – A first year varsity player, Moorman recorded 128 kills and 74 blocks for the Tigers in 2009. First Team All Section, Moon coach Jason Ferri said that Moorman could be a Division I prospect before she’s done. Kelsey Morgan, 5-9 Libero, Northern Valley Regional (Old Tappan, New Jersey) – Capable of covering a tremendous amount of area, coach Melissa Landeck said that Morgan’s digging ability and service reception were of equal importance to the team’s success in 2009. She finished the year with 166 digs in a state where teams play matches to best of three sets. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 37 of 54 Jennifer Morrissey, 5-7 Setter, Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Maryland) – Relatively inexperienced, Morrissey stepped into the role of a 5-1 setter and performed for the Falcons. She averaged almost 10 assists per game and was so tough that she played the championship game of the MD/DC Private School tournament with a wrist that was fractured in two places and led her team to victory. She was selected first team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). Haley Mueller, 5-9 OH, Deer Park (Texas) – A six-rotation player for a 34-8 team, Mueller was named Newcomer of the Year for District 22-5A. She finished 2009 with 252 kills and 257 digs. Mary Nilles, 5-11 Setter/RS, Batavia (Illinois) – First Team All Conference in 2009, Nilles was an effective setter in Batavia’s 6-2 offense in 2009 and also contributed with very strong blocking on the right side. Ellen Novotny, 5-11 OH, Houston (Germantown, Tennessee) – All Region performer had 279 kills and 219 digs in 2009. Noel Pauga, 5-11 OH, Liberty (Peoria, Arizona) – Hard hitter had 217 kills and almost 200 digs in 2009. Meredith Peacock, 6-0 MB, Hickory Grove Christian (Charlotte, North Carolina) – The best hitter in the MAC, Peacock averaged 4 kills per set (345 total) in 2009. A strong athlete and hard worker, Peacock earned All Conference honors and helped her team reach the semifinals of the NCISSA 3A state tournament. A great blocker, Peacock had 54 solo stuffs and 133 block assists. Halle Peterson, 5-10 Libero, Rockford (Michigan) – Peterson will set this team in 2010, but she was a tremendous libero in 2009, leading the team in digs with 454 while adding 67 aces. Adrien Richburg, 6-3 MB, Sachse (Texas) – District Blocker of the Year, Richburg also averaged more than two kills per set and led her team deep into the 5A playoffs. Emily Riese, 5-10 Setter, Fond du Lac (Wisconsin) -- Honorable Mention All-State, Riese, running a 5-1 offense, compiled 971 assists, 162 kills, 104 aces and 234 digs for a team that reached the state Division I tournament. Strong, Riese is able to make great sets off of less than stellar passes and was a big factor attacking and blocking in the front row for her team. Courtney Rolf, 6-0 MB, Eastwood (Pemberville, Ohio) – Ranked among the top 10 in Wood County in kills, blocks, aces and digs, Rolf is an extremely aggressive swinger and a very intimidating net presence who helped Eastwood go deep in the playoffs in 2009. She finished the year with 230 kills, 266 digs and 68 solo blocks. Coach Jeffrey Beck, who led Perrysburg to the state Final Four in 2006, said that Rolf, who was First Team All District, is stronger and more skilled than the D-1 recruits he had on that squad. Emily Schadow, 5-7 S, Jefferson (Bloomington, Minnesota) – Coach Michelle Grice asserts that Schadow, who started as a 5-1 setter as a freshman, emerged as one of the state’s best assist http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 38 of 54 makers during a sophomore year in which she averaged 9.74 assists per set. Named Honorable Mention All Conference, the jump-setting Schadow has surpassed 1,000 career assists. Michaela Schimmer, 6-1 S/RS, Northwest (Grand Island, Nebraska) – Second Team All Area and Honorable Mention All State, Schimmer played front row only for the Vikings in 2009 and contributed 231 kills, 147 assists, 82 digs and 67 solo blocks. She is strong, competitive, aggressive and passionate. Lauren Schlobohm, 6-0 MB, Owatonna (Minnesota) – “Aggressive, energetic, quick and athletic,” are words used individually and collectively to describe this sophomore, who led the Huskies in kills (201), aces (56) and blocks (98) in 2009. She was named All Area by the local Owatonna paper. Morgan Schmitmeyer, 5-9 OH, Lehman Catholic (Sidney, Ohio) – Named HM All State in Division IV after finishing second on a 16-7 team in kills in 2009. Ciara Schultz, 5-11 RS, Lakeland (Michigan) – All Conference, All Area and All Region, Schultz is an all-around talent who contributed 261 kills, 78 aces and 447 digs to the cause in 2009. A lefty with an aggressive jump serve, her sis is 6-4 Kaitlyn Schultz, so there might be some growing left in this budding talent. Kayla Sears, 6-0 OH/RS, Moorpark (California) – Long, lean and ultra athletic, Sears reminds Moorpark coach Brendan Hanson of former player Rachael Kidder, now at UCLA. She has a natural movement to the ball and generates power with her long whip. Sears led Moorpark in kills in 2009 while also serving as a primary passer and strong defensive presence. Her jump serve, Hanson said, was very effective and helped his young team win games. Morgan Semmelhack, 6-0 MB, York (Elmhurst, Illinois) – York’s leading blocker in 2009, with 126 rejections, Semmelhack can play several positions along the front row. She had 140 kills hitting out of the middle and also was one of the team’s toughest servers. Kolby Sharp, 6-0 MB, Lutheran South Academy (Houston, Texas) – A two-year starter, Sharp used her athleticism to lead the team in kills and blocks in 2009. She was named to the TAPPS 44A First team and TAPPS 4A All-State Second team. Jennifer Shults, 5-11 OH, Roswell (Georgia) -- A former level 9 gymnast, Shults is new to volleyball but coming on fast. She is an explosive jumper who can hit the ball straight down. In 2009, she terminated 268 times while adding 151 digs. A Second Team All Region pick, Shults is also a star in the classroom! Kate Sommer, 5-4 OH, Lighthouse Christian (Santa Monica, California) – All League and All CIFSS Div. V, Sommer is even better as a club libero, using her athleticism to hold down the back row for her Sunshine team. Megan Sturm, 5-6 Setter, Cardinal Ritter (Indianapolis, Indiana) – Sturm broke the school http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 39 of 54 record for assists in 2009, notching 984 or 9.46 per set. The two-year starter added 202 digs and 42 aces. Laynie Timmons, 5-11 MB, St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kansas) – Loaded with potential, Timmons has speed, agility and long, long arms that make her a gangly wall in the middle. Blessed with great determination, she ranged side to side for 125 stuff blocks in 2009 and became a more potent offensive threat as the season wore on. “She was like our spring flower who blossomed by the end of the season,” said coach Kim Bogart. “She can only get better and will be a definite force. Her drive and understanding of the game will make her a great all around player.” Taryn Trubich, 5-9 OH, Plainfield Central (Plainfield, Illinois) – All Conference and All Area in Plainfield, Trubich is a hard-working, competitive athlete who led the Wildcats in kills (230) and aces (62) in 2009 and was second in digs with 242. A primary passer, Trubich also has setter skills. She was a Second Team All County pick. Christina Vucich, 6-3 MB, Green Hope (Morrisville, North Carolina) -- Long, graceful and powerful, this lefty with setter skills played in the middle for Green Hope and led the team in both blocks and hitting percentage. Very smart and a natural on the right, Vucich produced 124 kills in 2009 and was the team’s strongest offensive threat. Madison Ward, 6-0 OH/S, Cache (Oklahoma) – A high flyer soaring well above 10-0, Ward has led her small school to the state tournament the past two years. A potent offensive threat, Ward also is a solid setter with good ball control and a desire to get better. Jenna Weigand, 5-9 OH, Zionsville (Indiana) – A strong athlete and power hitter, Weigand led Zionsville in kills in 2009 with 276 in 105 games and also contributed 208 digs. Named her team’s Most Improved Player, Weigand made the Indianapolis Star All-North team. Isabella Zaliagiris, 6-1 MB, Newton Conover (Conover, North Carolina) – Get the ball in the air and watch Zaliagiris convert it into a kill. That was the strategy for Newton Conover in 2009 and the physical lefty delivered, earning Conference POY honors. Lauren Zielinski, 6-4 MB, Marist (Chicago, Illinois) – Quick for her size and beginning to realize how dominant she can be, Zielinski was a scary blocker who led the team in solo stuffs and was among the leaders in all of the Chicagoland area. You simply can’t get the ball around “Spiderman.” A high efficiency hitter as well, Zielinski earned All Conference recognition and has the reach to hit over most blockers and the power to hit through them. Natalie Ziskin, 5-7 S, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills, New York) – One of the best young setters in the state, Ziskin averaged seven assists per set for a young team that finished third in the state in Class A with 11 underclassmen on the roster. She also added 54 aces and 43 blocks in 105 games while excelling in the classroom. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 40 of 54 SPECIAL MENTION (55) Kaitlin Weinbarg Callie Aberle, 5-8 OH, Spanish Springs (Sparks, Nevada) – The top OH for the Cougars, Aberle led Spanish Springs to its first playoff berth ever. She led her team in aces, kills, digs and passing. Very athletic, she has a fast arm and a willingness to hit any set. Julie Amos, 5-9 OH, Cardinal Ritter (Indianapolis, Indiana) – All City First Team, Amos is a hardworking, six-rotation player who averaged 2.96 kills and 2.32 digs per set in her first year on varsity. Rebecca Arndt, 6-0 MB, Lassiter (Marietta, Georgia) – Arndt successfully transitioned to the http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 41 of 54 middle from the right in 2009 and helped lead her high school to the AAAAA Elite Eight. She finished the year with 147 kills, 54 blocks and a team-leading 70 aces. Nikki Attea, 6-3 MB/RS, Williamsville North (Williamsville, New York) – One of the most dominant front court players in western New York, Attea has very quick feet and is agile for someone her height. She hits a very heavy ball and has success at all points along the net and in the back row. She led her high school team in kills, hitting percentage, blocks, and aces. Angela Augusta, 5-8 OH, Carson (Carson City, Nevada) -- The team's primary passer and the No. 1 OH as a sophomore, Augusta handled the pressure of being a go-to player and captain as a firsttime varsity player with incredible fortitude! She was a solid consistent player all season and someone the team could rely on to give everything she had. HM All League, she had 121 kills and 279 digs for the Senators. Katie Ayello, 5-5 Libero, St. Edward (Elgin, Illinois) – Named All Fox Valley, Ayello used her quickness to dig up 244 balls in 2009. Kelsey Barker, 5-10 MB, Yorktown (Indiana) – A productive part of the Yorktown attack, Barker had more than 200 kills and 40 blocks for the nationally-ranked Tigers, who finished 37-2 and runners up in Class 3A in 2009. Tori Bertsch, 5-11 Setter/RS, Post Falls (Idaho) – Tall and left-handed, Bertsch excelled in Post Falls’ 6-2 offense, helping the team win 28 matches and reach the 5A state tournament. Named Inland Empire League Newcomer of the Year, Bertsch had 490 assists, 135 kills, 104 digs, 42 blocks and 38 aces for the Trojans. Lauren Betlach, 5-11 OH, Seton Catholic (Chandler, Arizona) – Betlach averaged almost four kills per game for the repeat Arizona 4A-I champs and was named First Team All Region and HM All Area. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Veronica Bither, 5-9 S, Presentation (San Jose, California) – A transfer from Harker Prep, Bither took the reins early on for the Panthers and transformed them from a good team to a title contender. A great setter who worked in a 6-2 offense for half the season, Bither piled up a team -leading 619 assists and showed off her defensive prowess with almost 200 digs. An aggressive, confident and tough competitor, Bither also led Pres in aces with 42. Delanie Borek, 6-1 OH, Harbor (Santa Cruz, California) – She hits like a boy and averaged almost three kills per game for Harbor in 2009 while also serving as the team’s primary passer. Emily Burger, 5-10 Setter, Bloomington (Illinois) – Named All Conference, rare in the Big 12 for a sophomore, Burger had 669 assists and 230 digs for the conference champs. Greta Davis, 5-11 MB, Catholic Memorial (Waukesha, Wisconsin) – A natural athlete who also starts at goalie for the soccer team, Davis had 188 kills and 78 blocks for the state Division 2 http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 42 of 54 champion Crusaders in 2009. Shelly DeHenning, 5-11 Setter, Notre Dame (Toledo, Ohio) – A middle in the front row and setter in the back row for the Eagles in 2009, DeHenning is a hard worker who manages to keep everyone loose on the floor. She had 305 assists, which ranked second on the team, while also finishing second in aces and blocks. She added 76 kills. Second Team All City and Honorable Mention All District, DeHenning is equal parts inspiration and perspiration! Marilyn Dick, 6-0 MB, Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri) – Dick used to be a big time hoops player, but has fallen in love with volleyball. 2009 was her first year of competitive volleyball and she played well, averaging two kills, almost one block and one dig per set. Extremely athletic with boundless energy and enthusiasm, Lafayette coach Steve Burkard said that Dick could well develop into a Division I player before she’s done. Jesse Ebner, 6-0 MB, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, California) – A tremendous athlete with explosive leaping ability, Ebner led her team in blocks in 2009 while adding 2.2 kills per game and points on her powerful serve. She can hit all angles out of the middle, said coach Damien Hardy, and is an enthusiastic player to watch. Brooke Engel, 5-6 Libero, Rudder (Bryan, Texas) – A passionate player who is very quick and fearless, Engel contributed 753 digs, 78 kills and 45 aces in 2009 and was Defensive MVP for District 24-3A and was the only sophomore named Second Team All Brazos Valley (no soph was a first teamers). Engel also was her team’s MVP as well as team captain. Rachel Enloe, 6-0 OH, Juan Diego (Draper, Utah) – A powerful hitter for the Eagles, Enloe contributed 165 kills and 46 aces. A factor in all six rotations who likes to go to the floor on defense, Enloe was First Team All Region and Second Team All State. Taylor Fox, 5-5 Setter, St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kansas) – Fox stepped into Aquinas’ 6-2 offense in 2009 and ran it like a veteran on a team with six strong seniors. She finished the year with 568 assists and 129 digs and showed unexpected leadership for someone so young. Mikaela Gunderson, 5-10 MB, Luxemburg Casco (Green Bay, Wisconsin) – Named First Team All Conference, Gunderson terminated almost half her swings in 2009, recording 258 kills to go along with 48 aces and 95 blocks. Allie Hadley, 5-9 OH, Bothell (Washington) – A strong all-around player, and second team all league performer, Hadley amassed almost 200 kills and 214 digs in 2009, but her best position is setter, where she will play the next two years. Very competitive and blessed with a strong practice ethic, she makes her teammates better and is a leader on and off the court. Arianna Hayden, 5-9 RS, De La Salle Institute (Chicago, Illinois) – Starting on the right, this left -hander, who touches 9-8, led DLS in kills and was third in blocks in 2009. Her team finished in first place in the GCAC White Division with a 23-8 record. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 43 of 54 Tia Hemiller, 5-6 OH, Watertown (South Dakota) – Arrows coach Tiffany Beste said that Hemiller is the most naturally talented athlete she’s ever coached. Hemiller helped lead the team to the state tournament and finished third on the squad in kills while leading the team in both digs (334) and aces (40). Alex Heyn, 6-4 MB, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, Virginia) – A major offensive weapon for one of Virginia’s top teams, Heyn is easily one of the best sophomore middles in the state. She touches over 10-0 with a 9-6 block touch and possesses the ability to hit anywhere along the net. Heyn was Second Team All District in 2009, but has the skill set to be a national level recruit before she’s done. Shelby Hoskins, 6-1 MB, New Albany (Indiana) – Emerging as a great southern Indiana player, Hoskins contributed 287 kills, 83 total blocks and 38 aces for a 28-7 team in 2009. She was an All Conference honoree. Brittany Jack, 5-5 Libero, Pelham (Alabama) – A defensive standout on a 34-7 team, Jack was the only sophomore named to the 2009 Birmingham News All-Shelby team. Regan Jansen, 5-10 Setter, South County (Lorton, Virginia) – Recording 699 assists in a 5-1 offense, Jansen set South Lake to the Virginia 4A finals in 2009. She added 39 aces. Taylor Kasal, 5-11 OH, Downers Grove North (Downers Grove, Illinois) – A natural leader who is athletic and versatile, Kasal was used on the outside in 2009 and delivered 169 kills, placing her second on the team, while adding 145 digs and 29 blocks. Hailey Kerr, 6-1 MB, Collierville (Tennessee) – A leading blocker in the Memphis area, Kerr was All Region in 2009 as well as Best of Preps by the Commercial Appeal. Sloan Lovett, 5-9 OH, Durango (Colorado) – First Team All League and team co-MVP, Lovett excelled in six rotations for the Demons in 2009. Her ability to jump above the block in combination with a dynamic arm swing and precise placement keeps opponents off balance. Jessica Majerle, 5-10 OH, Rockford (Michigan) – Soon to be known as “Thunder Jessica,” Majerle had 250 kills in 2009 and was an All Region pick. Elayna Meachum, 5-9 Setter, Page (Greensboro, North Carolina) – Co-MVP of the Pirates in 2009, Meachum, a transfer from North Guilford, led Page to a 16-8 record. The conference leader with 575 assists (6.4 per game), Meachum added 167 digs and a conference-leading 87 aces. She was a unanimous selection to the All-Metro 4A Volleyball Team and was Second Team All Area. Elyssa Mulheron, 5-10 OH, Mt. Tabor (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) – Lanky and with a great feel for the game, Mulheron was an All Conference attacker who could be a superb libero at the next level because of her nose for the ball. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 44 of 54 Maisey Mulvey, 5-5 Libero, St. Charles East (St. Charles, Illinois) – Mulvey missed time with a hip injury to start the year, but came back strong and was a unanimous all conference choice after picking up 193 digs. Laura Neuzil, 6-2 OH, Clear Creek-Amana (Tiffin, Iowa) – Big, athletic and a hard worker, Neuzil was HM All State 3A in 2009. Sarah O’Connor, 5-10 Setter/OH, Roosevelt (Seattle, Washington) – Varsity MVP and Second Team All League, O’Connor averaged 14 kills and 13 assists per match in 2009. Voted team captain, she is a natural leader with good vision and a knack for excelling under pressure. Ixchelle Oleson, 5-11 OH, Mt. Spokane (Mead, Washington) – First Team All League in the GSL, the toughest league in the state, Oleson contributed 173 kills, 113 digs and 52 aces for one of Class 3A’s top teams. Kuulei Piena, 5-8 OH, Coronado (Henderson, Nevada) – A dynamic and explosive outside with a plus vertical that makes her hard to stop, Piena led Coronado in kills and digs in 2009. She was voted First Team All Region. Mackenzie Polen, 5-11 MB, Charleston Catholic (Charleston, West Virginia) – A strong hitter and blocker, Polen led the Class A champs in blocks with 107 while adding 439 kills, which placed her second on the squad. Honorable Mention All State, Polen also was on the State Tournament team. Taylor Racich, 6-0 RS, Dos Pueblos (Goleta, California) – Nicknamed “Poof,” Racich demanded playing time on a nationally-ranked roster with five scholarship seniors in 2009 and contributed 156 kills, 44 blocks and 47 digs for the CIF-Southern Section Division 1-A champs. Blessed also with a wicked serve she didn’t get to show off too much in 2009, Racich, a southpaw, was a Second Team All-Channel League selection. Kailey Riegel, 5-4 Libero, Kearney (Missouri) – One of two strong defenders for a team that won 25 matches in 2009, Riegel amassed more than 300 digs and passed crisply for the Bulldogs. She was First Team All Conference. Alyssa Sanchez, 5-4 Libero, Osbourn Park (Manassas, Virginia) – First Team All District and First Team All Area, Sanchez recorded 288 digs in 2009. She reads well and covers her attackers even better! Mikah Simpson, 5-8 OH, Scott City (Missouri) – First Team All District, Second Team All Region and Second Team All State in Class 4, Simpson can hit with either hand. A great athlete, she produced 162 kills and 275 digs in 2009. Simpson is a vocal leader and much improved player. Emily Sklar, 6-1 OH, Presentation (San Jose, California) – Described as a “diamond in the rough,” Sklar was a soccer player when she arrived at Presentation, but she is making a name for herself as a 10-0 touching, 4.8-in-the-40 attacker who can hit over most blocks and block most http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 45 of 54 hitters. Playing only 59 games, Sklar finished fourth on the Panthers in kills, averaging more than two per game. Presentation will be a national power next year and state championship contender. Sklar will be a big reason why. Carly Sojka, 5-10 OH, Blue Springs South (Blue Springs, Missouri) – A power hitting outside with good court vision, the two-year starter produced 177 kills in 2009. She was named All District and Second Team All Conference. Sadie Sparks, 6-0 OH, Chiawana (Pasco, Washington) – Second Team All Area, Sparks averaged three kills and three digs per set in 2009. Mel Stewart, 5-5 Libero, Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) – First Team All League, Stewart passed a 2.21 and delivered 248 digs for one of the best teams in Ohio. Amber Taylor, 5-9 MB, Evangel Christian (Dale City, Virginia) – First Team All Area and First Team All State for the Old Dominion Association of Church Schools, Taylor compiled 285 kills, 243 digs and 37 blocks in 2009. Sammy Jo Tracy, 5-3 Libero/DS, Fox Lane (Bedford, New York) – A first-year starter in 2009, Tracy led Fox Lane in digs and digs per game and received serve at a 2.3 clip. Fast and quick, she is a fearless competitor who anchored what was probably the best defensive team in the area. She had an uncanny ability to read the opposing team’s hitters and adjust to always be in the right place at the right time. For her efforts, she was recognized as an All League performer. Kimberly Vaio, 5-10 Setter/RS, Incarnate Word (San Antonio, Texas) – A mature player who plays up one or two age groups during club season, Vaio led the Shamrocks to a 37-16 season in 2009 and a berth in the state semifinals. Considered one of San Antonio’s finest setters regardless of class, Vaio is incredibly fast with nice supple hands and a great sense for the game. She was a Second Team All District pick. Janae VanDerPloeg, 5-10 OH, Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs, Colorado) – On an undefeated, state-championship team, VanDerPloeg finished second in kills and blocks in 2009. Kaitlin Weinbarg, 5-7 OH, Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Georgia) – A first-year varsity player, Weinbarg, a transfer to the Mustangs, had 200 kills, 92 digs and 59 aces in 2009 for a 35win team. Kayla Weller, 5-9 Setter, Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Georgia) – A first-year varsity player, Weller led the Mustangs in assists in 2009 with 862. A gamer, she also had 161 digs and 45 aces. Abbey Winter, 6-1 MB, Mater Dei (Breese, Illinois) – One of three key sophomores that helped Mater Dei reach the Illinois 3A finals, Winter had more than 100 kills and 132 total blocks for the 35-9 Knights in 2009. She was named Second Team All St. Louis Area. Kelley Wollak, 5-8 OH, Jefferson (Bloomington, Minnesota) – Honorable Mention All Conference http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 46 of 54 for the second straight year, Wollak, a three-year starter, moved to the outside and contributed more than 240 kills, 177 digs and a team-leading 73 aces in 2009. She is as good in the back row as on attack. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> HONORABLE MENTION (80) Carly Ochs. Photo by www.arcticferret.us Carolyn Albright, 6-1 MB, Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, North Carolina) -- Carolina 3A allconference honorable mention, the much improved Albright hit for a very high percentage and led the Crusaders with 69 total blocks in 77 sets. Michelle Ames, 5-9 OH, Davenport Central (Davenport Iowa) – Youngster only played 1/3 of the season, but full season kill numbers (3.0 per set) would have made her tops on her high school http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 47 of 54 team. Her skill captured the attention of the Quad City Times, which named her Second Team All Metro. Breanna Atkinson, 5-11 OH, Madeira School (McLean, Virginia) – One of the best sophs in Virginia, Atkinson averaged three kills a set in 2009 and took her small private school to a top 10 state ranking in the VISVA pools. Nicole Baker, 5-10 MB, Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Georgia) – A first-year varsity player, the hard-working Baker amassed 133 kills, 38 blocks and 45 aces for a 35-win team in 2009. Evelin Barajas, 5-3 Setter, Hamilton (Hamilton City, California) – Barajas had more than 1,000 assists and added more than 100 digs and 50 aces in 2009 for a 36-6 Braves team that reached the Northern California Div. V playoffs. Emily Barber, 6-1 RS, Zionsville (Indiana) – Barber collected 209 kills and 51 blocks and was a big factor in Zionsville’s 26-win season. A fierce presence on the right that helped diversify the attack, Barber exhibited strong ball-handling skills, a consistent serve and a nice back row swing as well. She was selected All-North Honorable Mention. Klaudia Basierak, 6-0 MB, Grayslake Central (Grayslake, Illinois) – A Lake County All Area pick, Basierak showed great instincts as a sophomore, generating 177 kills, 41 blocks and 33 aces. Samantha Bedard, 5-8 Setter, Mater Dei (Breese, Illinois) – Part of the Knights’ 6-2 offensive scheme, Bedard amassed almost 350 assists and was a tough, accurate server for the Illinois 3A runners up. She was Honorable Mention All St. Louis Area. Kaylee Benson, 5-9 RS, Jackson County Central (Jackson, Minnesota) – Playing on one of the state’s best teams, Benson produced double figure kill and block totals and will be a key player in 2010 when JCC works towards a state AA title. Mallory Brickerd, 6-1 OH, Broad Run (Ashburn, Virginia) – A starter and six-rotation player all year for Broad Run, Brickerd has a big arm and solid back row and serve receive ability. Sam Boesch, 5-10 RS, Huntley (Illinois) – Boesch played on the right for Huntley and was a fine secondary setter in addition to a strong right side attacker. Boesch also is a natural passer. Brittany Brown, 5-11 RS, Nazareth (LaGrange Park, Illinois) – A strong contributor for Nazareth, Brown is emerging as a force both blocking and hitting on the right side. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Paige Brown, 5-7 Setter, St. James (Lenexa, Kansas) – An effortless setter with very strong hands, Brown was part of a 6-2 offense with her All-American sister, Lauren. She finished second on the team with 464 assists, third with 46 aces, using an effective jump float, and fifth with 173 digs for the 40-4 Kansas state champs. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 48 of 54 Waverly Chin, 507 OH, Leon (Tallahassee, Florida) – After a senior got hurt, “Wavie” stepped into the starting lineup and did a fantastic job for the 26-6 Lions, who finished as Florida 5A runners up. She finished with 189 digs, 89 kills and 23 aces. Kristi Chynoweth, 6-1 MB, North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Florida) – Intimidator averaged seven kills and two blocks per match in 2009 Claire Clark, 5-10 MB, Wynne (Arkansas) – A six-position middle, Clark touches 9-10 and has a rocket arm. She should. Clark also is an elite softball player with a wicked 60-mph fastball. Gabby Crowell, 5-11 OH, Summit (Bend, Oregon) – A fiery competitor who always plays with aggression, Crowell help Summit reach the state 5A finals in 2009. A Second Team All State pick as well as Second Team All League, Crowell totaled 119 kills and 30 aces last fall. Her jump serve is getting to be the stuff of legend in Oregon almost as much as she shock of red hair! Kendyl Danelski, 5-10 MB, Preble (Green Bay, Wisconsin) – HM All Conference and HM All Area, Danelski came on strong at the end of the year and was dominant at times. She finished 2009 with 135 kills while also showing prowess blocking at the net and behind the service line. Possessing a nice array of shots, a little weight room work could make her a monster in 2010. Sarah Dashbach, 5-9 OH, Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, California) – A good passer and tremendous defender, Dashbach was an asset in six rotations for coach Damien Hardy in 2009. She averaged almost three digs per game while adding more than two kills per game. A strong arsenal of serves helped Dashbach amass more than 50 aces. Teresa Della Penna, Setter, Land O’Lakes (Florida) – The first-year setter did a nice job for an 11-9 team in 2009, recording a team-leading 370 assists while adding 97 digs, 24 aces and 41 kills. Victoria Dennis, 6-2 MB, Bonita (La Verne, California) – A fluid athlete, Dennis averaged two kills and one block per game for a Bearcat team that reached the CIF-SS Div. III finals this year. First Team All League, Dennis should improve rapidly as she adds bulk to her rail-thin frame. Taylor Dollison, 6-1 MB, Bancroft-Rosalie (Bancroft, Nebraska) – HM All State in Class C-2, Dollison is a coming middle who can block with the best of them. Maggie Dunbar, 6-2 Setter/RS, University (Normal, Illinois) – A first-year varsity player, Dunbar played all six rotations for a 32-7 team that was one of Illinois’ best. A strong, powerful player, who hits well, serves tough and is improving every day, Dunbar will be a force in central Illinois in the years to come. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->Casey Durham, 6-4 OH, Evanston (Illinois) – A starting http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 49 of 54 outside on an Evanston team that set a school wins record, Durham took over the position midway through the season and became one of the top attackers in the conference. Lydia Ely, 6-6 MB, Rosati-Kain (Saint Louis, Missouri) – Ever improving, Ely contributed 150 kills and 54 blocks in 2009. She should be a force locally and on the national scene by the time she’s a high school senior. Sydni Etheredge, 6-0 OH/MB, Riverwood (Sandy Springs, Georgia) – A transfer to Riverwood, Etheredge earned Honorable Mention All Area honors in 2009. A strong athlete, Etheredge excelled as a blocker at the net and strong server for the 25-18 Raiders. Victoria Forrest, 5-9 OH, North Cobb (Kennesaw, Georgia) – A transfer from Harrison, Forrest led North Cobb with 385 kills in 2009. Madeline Frome, 5-9 OH, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) – The team’s top attacker, Frome improved drastically throughout the season and finished 2009 as one of her league’s top hitters. Katie Gallagher, 5-7 Setter, York (Elmhurst, Illinois) – Part of a 6-2 offense at York, Gallagher plays bigger than she is. She jumps well, jump sets even better and has a strong serve. Katie George, 5-10 Setter/RS/MB, Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) – George would have been a full-time starter and likely go-to player on just about every other team in the country. For the loaded Rockets, however, she was a super utility player and did a little of everything. Look for George to be an All State performer in 2010. Jacque Grigsby, 5-10 OH, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, Virginia) – Used all over the court, including setter, Grigsby had a significant impact on the Ocean Lakes program. She generated 136 kills, filled several roles for the team and was a 2009 All-Beach District selection. Alijah Gunsaulus, 5-10 OPP/OH, Los Alamitos (California) – An accomplished club player, Gunsaulus made the move to the right side for a veteran Griffin team and made an impact on one of California’s best teams, recording 195 kills, 113 digs, 41 blocks and 29 aces. A great athlete, look for her numbers to double across the board in 2010. Jessica Hendin, 5-9 OH, Blue Valley West (Overland Park, Kansas) – Quick and explosive with a competitive drive to match, Hendin was second on the Falcons in kills and third in digs. BVW advanced to the 6A state finals for the fourth consecutive year. Sam Hill, 6-3 MB, North Central (Spokane, Washington) – HM All League, Hill puts up a massive block and has a fast improving offensive game that could make her a top player in the Evergreen State before her prep career is done. Katie Hillman, 6-0 MB, Cardinal Gibbons (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) – Contributed 132 kills and 80 blocks in 2009. A good athlete with significant upside. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 50 of 54 Katie Hughes, 5-9 OH, Seward (Nebraska) – A good power hitter and defender, Hughes contributed 88 kills and 136 digs for the Class B power. Jenna Jendryk, 6-0 S/RS, Benet Academy (Lisle, Illinois) – Athletic and able to play multiple positions, Jendryk missed time in 2009 due to injury and illness, but was a factor when healthy and was particularly strong from behind the service line. She finished third on the team in aces despite missing one-third of the season. Janelle Jenkins, 5-9 MB, Carroll (Southlake, Texas) – A great leaper and Carroll’s most efficient terminator, coach Arthur Stanfield says without equivocation that Jenkins will be a D-1 OH if she chooses volleyball over basketball, in which she also excels. She was co-Blocker of the Year in district play. Kelsie Kemper, 5-6 Setter, Crook County (Prineville, Oregon) – Part of a 6-2 offense for the 5A state champion Cowgirls, the southpaw Kemper did a great job setting and serving for coach Rosie Honl’s team. Molly Keeven, 5-4 Libero, St. Joseph’s (St. Louis, Missouri) – A strong defender, Keeven was third on the Angels in digs in 2009, amassing 209. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--> Lauren Kissell, 6-0 MB, St. Mary’s (Stockton, California) – Athletic middle averaged two kills and almost one block per set in 2009 and was named Second Team All Area by the Stockton Record. Jennifer Kowalski, 5-11 OH, Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) – Effective attacker was First Team All City League and HM All District in 2009. She has strong leadership skills and court sense. Noelle Langenkamp, 6-1 MB, Ursuline Academy (Cincinnati, Ohio) – The M2 opposite Christina Beer, Langenkamp is a big potential player who contributed 112 kills and 68 blocks, second on the team, for a 29-0 squad that won the Ohio D-I championship and was ranked No. 2 nationally. Lindsey Lerg, 5-7 OH, Mercy (Farmington Hills, Michigan) – A club Libero, Lerg used her brains to score consistently on the outside for Mercy in 2009. A great passer and defender with a scary jump serve, Lerg was an All Conference and All Region pick. Megan Lipske, 5-10 OH, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Kentucky) – Academic All State, Lipske recorded 141 kills and 38 blocks for the state runner up Valkyries in 2009. Andrea Lowrance, 6-1 MB, Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Arizona) – A powerful hitter and blocking machine, Lowrance helped the Vikings claim their second consecutive Arizona state title in 2009. She averaged two kills and almost one block per game for a 36-4 team. Maddie Manning, 6-0 MB, Ankeny (Iowa) – Manning had 128 kills for the season, but came on http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 51 of 54 strong in the state tournament for the Iowa 4A champs, hitting slide after slide after slide. A big leaper, Manning will play an even larger role for the Hawkettes the next two years. Jade Martinez, 6-1 MB, Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, Arizona) – Strong and quick, especially behind the setter, Martinez finished second on her team in blocks and third in kills in 2009. She is very agile and has a big upside. Martinez was Honorable Mention All East Sky Region. Becca Mastey, 5-5 Libero, Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay, Wisconsin) – First Team All Conference as a libero and Second Team All Area, Mastey switched to setter and ran a 5-1 the last few weeks of the season. She has great ball control and is an effort player with tremendous competitiveness. Kameron McLain, 6-1 MB, Eastside Catholic (Bellevue, Washington) – McLain missed almost one -third of the 2009 season, including a few matches after receiving a concussion while blocking! That’s right. She gets THAT high above the net! When she was on the court, McLain was very productive and had more than 100 kills and 30 aces. She was Second Team All League. Megan Miller, 5-4 DS, Lyons Township (La Grange, Illinois) – A strong passer, Miller added 65 digs for a 37-5 team that reached the Illinois state finals in 2009. She is a tenacious and enthusiastic back row presence. Nora Mitros, 6-0 RS, Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Illinois) – A great leaper, Mitros has great skills and athleticism. One rival coach marveled: “She simply crushes the ball!” Megan Morrison, MB, 5-11 Springstead (Florida) – First Team All County selection amassed 185 kills and 63 blocks in 2009. Carly Ochs, 6-0 OH, St. Joseph’s (St. Louis, Missouri) – A player with serious potential having a great club season, Ochs had moments of brilliance during the 2009 prep campaign, recording 121 kills and 40 blocks for one of Missouri’s top squads. Sofia Peterson, 6-0 OH, Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne, Florida) – Peterson averaged almost three kills per set for a 23-6 team in 2009. Ashley Porter, 5-10 MB, Tularosa (New Mexico) – A strong middle and impact server, Porter helped Tularosa from behind to win a state 2A semifinal before falling to Texico in the final. She was First Team All District and Second Team All State. Ryann Powell, 5-4 Setter, Academy of the Holy Angels (Demarest, New Jersey) – First Team All League and Third Team All County as a setter, Powell’s best work comes in the back row as a club libero, where she has terrific court sense and a high volleyball I.Q. Kelsey Reiner, 5-10 OH, St. Ursula (Toledo, Ohio) – A major contributor for the Arrows in 2009, the aggressive Reiner averaged two kills per game for TSUA in 2009. She was Second Team All City League and HM All District. http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 52 of 54 Erin Romito, 5-11 OH, Scott (Covington, Kentucky) – Romito posted 120 kills, 181 digs and 75 aces in 2009, helping her team to a 37-4 record and the runner up spot in the 9th Region behind only perennial power Notre Dame Academy. Megan Rosario, 5-5 OH, Clovis North (Fresno, California)— Team Captain and Second Team All League, Rosario is a speedy defensive player with an outstanding vertical leap. She had 181 kills and 295 digs in 2009. Allyson Schillinger, 5-4 S, Springstead (Florida) – First Team All County pick led team in assists, added 105 kills. Emily Schmal, 5-8 OH, Notre Dame (Covington, Kentucky) – The top outside for a very good Panda team in 2009, Schmal generated 212 kills from the left side for Notre Dame. She is a very athletic and aggressive player who is continually striving to better her game. Heidi Sierks, 5-10 Setter, Lake Forest (Illinois) – A fierce competitor, Sierks was HM All Conference after setting a 5-1 offense for the Scouts in 2009. Lauren Smith, 6-2 MB, Pius X (Lincoln, Nebraska) – Smith was Honorable Mention All State for a 38-12 team. Megan Spencer, 6-1 RS, St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kansas) – This hard-hitting lefty provided a strong offensive threat and big block from the right side in 2009. She was third on the Saints in blocks with 80, while adding 153 kills. Jenna Strange, 5-10 RS/OH, Loudoun County (Leesburg, Virginia) – A starting pin hitter on the AA state championship team, Strange is an outstanding athlete with good back row skills and the ability to score from the left or right side. Jackie Swalchick, 5-10 OH/RS, Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne, Florida) – Swalchick averaged almost two kills and one dig per game for a 23-6 team in 2009. Alexa Swann, 6-1 MB, Brandywine Heights (Topton, Pennsylvania) – Swann was a blocking and hitting beast as the Bullets won their league title in 2009 and made a long state playoff run. Jenessa Taylor, 6-0 OH, Sunset (Portland, Oregon) – A versatile player, Taylor also sets and plays right side. She was a key contributor for the 30-6 Apollos, who finished third in 6A in 2009. Taylor Thomas, 5-10 RS, Yerington (Nevada) – A great leaper, Thomas contributed 158 kills and 32 blocks in 2009 for a 30-6 team that reached the 3A finals one year after graduating seven seniors. Sariah Tuisaula, 5-8 OH, Wasilla (Alaska) – A big leaper and deadly terminator, Tuisaula was an http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 53 of 54 impact player for Wasilla in 2009. Jessie Tulacka, 6-1 RS, Downers Grove North (Downers Grove, Illinois) – A matchup problem for most teams, Tulacka was second on the team with 55 blocks and added 88 kills and 38 assists. She is a skilled player who will likely set the Trojans in 2010. Monica Turner, 6-3 MB, Lakeville South (Lakeville, Minnesota) – Turner was a force at the net offensively and defensively in 2009. She was a weapon that every team tried to find a way to stop… very few did. HM All Conference, Turner delivered 278 kills and 120 blocks in 2009. Sarah Vaccaro, 5-7 Setter, Miramonte (Orinda, California) -- An unbelievable competitor who truly "hates to lose," Vaccaro was a Second Team All League performer in 2009 and largely responsible for the team’s turnaround to a 63-10 record in her two years as a starter. Kaitlin Wagner, 5-10 MB, Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, Georgia) – A first-year varsity player, the fast improving Wagner contributed 88 kills and 32 blocks to the Mustang cause in 2009. Kacey Wahlig, 5-5 Setter, Freeburg (Illinois) – The Midgets won their second straight Illinois 2A championship in 2009 and Wahlig was a big reason why. The lone sophomore on the squad, Wahlig recorded 415 assists in a 6-2 offense and was a key performer behind the service line as well. A great competitor, Wahlig ran the court with authority and confidence. Rebecca Waller, 6-0 MB, Clovis North (Fresno, California) -- Team Captain and Second Team All League, Waller lead North in blocks (64) and in kills (236) in 2009. She is a dominant offensive and defensive force at the net for a growing program only in its second varsity campaign. Taylor Walter, 5-11 MB, Bosqueville (Waco, Texas) – First Team Super Centex pick had 200 kills, 99 blocks and 74 aces in 2009. Chelsea Watson, 6-1 MB, Bowling Green (Ohio) – Second Team All League and HM All District, the athletic Watson recorded 151 kills and 38 blocks in 2009. Abby Wietrzkowski, 6-0 OH, Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) – Second Team All District and First Team All City League, Wietrzkowski is a smart attacker with amazing awareness on both sides of the court. Kaitlyn Witsaman, 5-10 OH, Medina (Ohio) – A versatile player who also played some in the middle, Witsaman led the Battling Bees in block assists and was a consistent hitter for a team that reached the district semifinals in 2009. © 2010. PrepVolleyball.com. Do not reproduce except with permission. Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 April 2010 ) http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010 PrepVolleyball.com - The 2009 Soph 79: The Best VARSITY PLAYING High School ... Page 54 of 54 Close Window http://prepvolleyball.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&pop=1... 8/30/2010
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