Online Volleyball

Should Your Volleyball Club Team Wear A Red Colored Uniform?

2009-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

In this article, "Winners Wear Red," author Holger Dambeck reports that if you want to win, you need red uniforms or jerseys.

Success has a color, and the color is red. In fact, a recent study confirms previous reports that athletes wearing red uniforms win competitions more often than opponents dressed in other colors. Researchers are now hard at work deciphering the mystery behind this puzzling phenomenon.

Which team dominates Germany's Bundesliga? Bayern Munich, of course. Who won the 2008 Champions League? Manchester United. Who was the most dominant NBA player in recent memory? Michael "His Airness" Jordon, no doubt. And what do these teams and athletes share in common? Red uniforms for home games. But could their success really have anything to do with the color of their jerseys?

On several occasions in recent years, researchers have tried to tackle this question -- with startling results. Russell Hill and Robert Barton, two researchers at the University of Durham, have systematically analyzed all the matchups of the 2004 Athens Olympics. According to their findings, wearing red did in fact make a slight difference during those summer games, at least when it came to boxing, Taekwondo and wrestling.

These types of one-on-one combatant sports are the most suitable for producing reliable statistics. A major reason for this is the fact that the opponents in all three sports are randomly assigned a color -- either red or blue -- for their clothing or protective gear. According to Hill and Barton's report, published in the journal Nature in 2005, athletes dressed in red had a measurable advantage. This was particularly the case with Taekwondo (red won in 57 percent of all matchups), following by boxing (55 percent victory quotient) and wrestling (Greco-Roman style, 52 percent; freestyle, 53 percent).

Red Is a Kicker's Best Friend

In an article published in the Journal of Sports Sciences in early 2008, Hill and Barton expanded their analysis to include the teams of England's Premier League from 1947 to 2003. Their statistical analysis determined that football teams wearing red had a disproportionately higher rate of both winning home games and securing the title than teams wearing either yellow or orange. The findings were unequivocal: Three out of the four most successful English clubs donned red jerseys for home games: Manchester United ("The Red Devils"), FC Liverpool ("The Reds") and FC Arsenal.

REPRINTS
Find out how you can reprint this SPIEGEL ONLINE article in your publication. Not everyone trusts these numbers, though. Matthias Sutter and Martin Kocher, two economics researchers at Austria's University of Innsbruck, have their doubts about whether this victory-red hypothesis can hold water elsewhere in the football world. The two carefully analyzed 306 games in the 2000-2001 season of Germany's Bundesliga, concluding that neither red nor any other particular color led a team to more victories. "If anything," Sutter says about the results of the Premier League study, "what we've got here is a chicken-and-the-egg problem." For many years, he admits, the most successful teams have worn read. But what came first, he asks: the success or the red outfits? Or both at the same time?

Signaling Dominance

This issue illustrates one of the fundamental problems encountered in the interpretation of statistics. To conclude that red enhances the odds of victory is in no way borne out by comprehensive analysis. With the exception of the Bundesliga, the data reveals a much more frequent correlation between color and victory, but one that is still far from being a causal link. For example, in the case of the Premier League, it's also conceivable that red is the favorite color of particularly ambitious men. When these red-loving men are dominant in a football club, then it influences not only the team's success but also its preferred jersey color.

Despite these counterarguments, Hill and Barton are still convinced that red really does make you more successful. Their certainty might have something to do with their shared background as anthropologists. "From studies on animals and humans, we know that red is used to signal dominance," Hill told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "Among humans, rage is associated with reddening skin, which results from increased blood circulation," the researchers wrote in their article for Nature .

Red Hurts Thought

According to Barton, red most likely helps a football team because of its psychological affect on both teams. He and Hill also posit that, over the years, red might also attract more fans to a particular team, which in turn can make them even stronger. In particular, the anthropologists point to the experiments of psychologists that have shown that even looking at the color red reduces a human's capacity to perform.

Researchers at the University of Rochester in New York State and at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich have recently looked into this issue. As part of a 2007 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Andrew Elliott and his colleagues subjected participants to a series of tests aimed at examining the relation "between red and performance attainment." The results of the test gave clear evidence that exposure to red "impairs performance" and can trigger an "avoidance motivation," in much the same way as a stop sign.

Referees Favor Red

The most recent attempt to solve this mystery was made by sports psychologists at the University of Münster in Germany. According to Bernd Strauss and the other authors of a study published this year in the journal Psychological Science, when it comes to Taekwondo at least, winning with red has a lot to do with the referee. In particular, the study found that, despite equal performances, athletes wearing red so-called "trunk protectors" were given higher scores than those wearing blue.

As part of their study, the researchers had 42 experienced Taekwondo referees watch two videos, each of which included 11 fight sequences. In the first video, one athlete wears a red trunk protector while the other wears a blue one. The second film shows the same exact scenes, but with the athletes' colors switched by digitally manipulating the tapes. In the end, although the referees witnessed the same exact matches, they scored the performances differently: On average, athletes scored 13 percent more points when they were wearing red than blue.

In fact, the color's effect on scoring became even greater the closer the athletes were in terms of strength. And the greater the degree of difference in terms of their skill levels, the lower the chances were that the referees would score the videos differently. "It's really about an effect that is neither conscious nor, of course, desired by referees," says Strauss. "But it's really not so easy to outsmart our perceptions."

Giving Red the Red Card?

So, if red really does affect how referees call matches, how are we ever going to guarantee fairness? One simple way, of course, would be to choose colors for the competitors in one-on-one sports that have no effect on the outcome of the match. But that might not be as easy as it sounds. Take judo, for example, another sport which randomly allots a color -- either blue or white -- to competitors. In a 2005 study published in Nature, researchers from the University of Newcastle in Britain analyzed all the judo matches at the 2004 Athens Olympics. There conclusion: athletes who wore blue had a slight advantage.

Martial arts are one thing, but it might be quite a bit harder to change the color combinations used for football jerseys. If chance or a team of psychologists determines a team's jersey colors, the fans just might storm the barricades -- and with good reason. For some teams, giving up red might just put them at a disadvantage.

Either way, it sure would be easier to test the theory's validity if only Bayern Munich -- which has won 11 of the last 20 Bundesliga titles -- would blow it in the finals a few times.

Volleyball and Concussions - Neurocognitive Testing

2009-01-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

There is a typical warm-up drill in volleyball for hitting. All the players get on one side of the net and the coach or setter tosses up an easy ball for a spike hit, then you chase the volleyball. When I was on my 17's club team, I swung at the ball, went under the net to chase it, and the next girl, Hannah, swung just a few seconds later and I got hit on the back of the head.

I was dizzy the rest of practice, and had a headache for days. Looking back, I think I had a concussion.

Nationwide Children's Hospital has information on concussions in sports. They state that in volleyball, 53.1% of those players with a possible concussion return to the game too soon. This compares with 38.2% for football, 44.9% for soccer and 55.6% for baseball.

The Neurocognitive (Concussion) Testing

Each year, more than 300,000 sports-related traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States. These brain injuries are also known as concussions. Concussions can happen to any athlete, male or female, in any sport. While such injuries may not always be preventable, physicians and athletic trainers are able to do more to recognize and treat concussions to make sure athletes are fully recovered before resuming play.

Returning to play too soon after a brain injury, or concussion, may lead to serious life-threatening complications. A computerized neurocognitive test is one tool, when accompanied by a thorough medical exam, that may assist a qualified physician with the return-to-play decision.

Baseline neurocognitive tests evaluate the healthy athlete’s decision making ability, reaction time, attention and memory. In the event of an injury, a re-test would give the physician additional information to safely return that athlete to competition.

Although a neurocognitive test will never replace a thorough clinical exam by an experienced clinician, it can be a valuable tool in safely returning an athlete to participation.

Why is this important?
The incidence of sports-related concussion is estimated at 300,000 per year. Recent studies estimate that the likelihood of an athlete that plays a contact sport sustaining a concussion may be as high as 19% per season.

A concussion is also referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury. The brain is the control center of the body and is responsible for the way an athlete feels and acts. When a brain injury, or concussion, occurs it can alter both the physical and emotional actions of the athlete.

The results of this test will be used as a baseline test. If the athlete receives a concussion he may be retested. The results of the two tests can be compared and used, in conjunction with a thorough physical exam, to help safely return the athlete to participation.

What is a neurocognitive test?
This tests the function of the brain and how it relates specific thought processes and behaviors. This is a computerized test that evaluates these thought processes.

Is this a new procedure?
Neurocognitive testing has been used in the evaluation of mild traumatic brain injury for many years but more recently with sports concussions. Used in college and professional sports for more than five years, this test is currently being used in the NFL, NHL, NBA, USA Olympic Team, The Ohio State University and several area high schools.

What will the test be like?
The test used by Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine is a computerized test. The test will use a computerized deck of cards and the athlete’s responses to assess the athlete’s decision making ability, reaction time, attention and memory. The athlete will be allowed a practice session prior to the measured test so they are aware of the testing procedure. This test will be used as a baseline test for the healthy athlete. The entire test should take approximately 15 minutes.

When will I get the results of my child’s test?
The results will be compiled and remain on file at the Nationwide Children’s Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center in Westerville. If your child receives or is suspecting of receiving a concussion, he/she can return for further evaluation and re-testing. We can then compare the scores to see if your child’s brain function has been damaged and to what extent.

Time Magazine has an article on concussions in high school sports.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009
By Sean Gregory

Study: Kids Competing Too Soon After Concussions

Too many kids are returning to the playing field too soon after a concussion. How many? According to an alarming new study, from 2005 to 2008, 41% of concussed athletes in 100 high schools across the U.S. returned to play too soon, under guidelines set out by the American Academy of Neurology. The 11-year-old guidelines say, for example, that if an athlete's concussion symptoms, such as dizziness or nausea, last longer than 15 minutes, he should be benched until he's been symptom-free for a week. The most startling data point--uncovered by the same researchers who in 2007 brought to light the fact that girls have a higher incidence of concussion than boys--is that 16% of high school football players who lost consciousness during a concussion returned to the field the same day.

The consequences of going back early can be dire. Last September, Jaquan Waller, 16, suffered a concussion during football practice at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, N.C. A certified athletic trainer educated in concussion management wasn't onsite, and the school's first responder who examined Waller cleared him to play in a game two days later. During that game, Waller was tackled. Moments later, he collapsed on the sidelines. He died the next day. A medical examiner determined Waller died from what is called second-impact syndrome, noting that "neither impact would have been sufficient to cause death in the absence of the other impact." (See pictures of eccentric college mascots.)

Research indicates that younger, less developed brains are at greater risk of second-impact syndrome, which is why the new concussion study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, is so troubling. Submitted to a scientific journal for peer review, the yet-to-be-published study examined 1,308 concussion incidents reported by athletic trainers and found that in girls' volleyball and boys' basketball and baseball, more than half of concussed players returned to play too soon.

"These levels are way too high," says Dawn Comstock, an Ohio State pediatrics professor and co-author of the new study. She cites several factors that are driving the numbers. Not enough high schools have certified trainers who know how to deal with concussions--just 42% do, according to the National Athletic Trainers' Association. In some instances, overcompetitive coaches, who are not required to be trained in concussion management, are pushing players back onto the field. And too often the players themselves aren't reporting head trauma, with team spirit giving them too much of a warrior mentality.

Why is playing sports with concussion symptoms so risky? During a concussion, arteries constrict, slowing blood flow to the brain. At the same time, calcium floods the energy-producing portions of brain cells. That calcium plays a mean defense, blocking oxygen- and glucose-rich blood from replenishing neurons' energy supply. Brain cells get sluggish, and a concussed athlete who can't focus or suffers from slower reaction times is left more susceptible to a slew of other injuries, including another concussion. A second blow to the head could lead to more arterial constriction and more calcium infusions. "Concussion produces an energy crisis in the brain," says David Hovda, director of the Brain Injury Research Center at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. "A second concussion will cause such an energy demand that it will overwhelm the survival capability of the brain." (See the Year in Health, from A to Z.)

That's why caution should be the name of the game. Robert Cantu, a neurosurgeon and concussion expert, insists that even after a mild first-time concussion, athletes must be free of all symptoms for at least a week, both at rest and during exertion, before returning to the field. Cantu's mantra: "When in doubt, sit them out."

But coaches, parents and medical personnel should expect resistance from athletes and remain on the lookout for those trying to downplay or hide less visible symptoms like headaches. What if a college scout was at the game you sat out because you got your bell rung? "For these kids, their goals in life sometimes revolve around athletics," says Todd Lipe, Waller's coach at J.H. Rose High School, who has promised to be more vigilant in detecting and managing concussions. (The school district did not blame any individual for Waller's death, though the first responder who examined him was relieved of his duties.)

Waller's death helped prompt an athletic-safety task force in North Carolina to recommend that all public high schools in the state be required to employ a full-time certified athletic trainer by August 2011. Meanwhile, after a high school student in New Jersey died of a brain injury suffered while playing football in October, New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell introduced legislation in late 2008 that would set aside federal funding for computerized preseason baseline and postinjury neurocognitive testing for student athletes. This is a tough time to be asking for money, he says, but "when you compare this to the other injuries and ailments that we've responded to, it's embarrassing we haven't done more about concussions."

Given that concussions can be difficult to spot, the trickiest aspect may be getting kids to bench themselves after they're thumped. "You don't want to miss out," says Ryan Williams, a senior at Cibola High School in Albuquerque, N.M., who suffered two concussions this season and one last season. "You want to help your brothers." Of course, you can't help them, or yourself, if you don't know when to stay out of the game.

Why Are Volleyball Girls Smart?

2008-12-27T07:28:00.000-08:00

If you look at the GPA of almost any volleyball player you will typically find most to have higher than a 3.0 GPA. Here are the 2007 and 2008 last two years of Academic players as published by the San Diego Union Tribune.

A typical high school team has 10-15 players - notice how many players make the academic listings.

At my high school, San Dieguito, in 2007 9 girls of 12 earned all-academic in 2007 and in 2008 10 of 15 girls made the team.

SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE Girls Volleyball Academic Teams
December 23, 2007

SAN DIEGUITO

MacKenzie Aries, Sr., 3.81; Kelsey Crowe, Jr., 3.96; Desiree Etzel, Jr., 3.93; Paige Findlay, Jr., 3.43; Kelly Flannery, Jr., 3.66; Kayla Frost, Jr., 3.84; Sami Houston, Sr., 3.84; Allie McGregor, Jr., 3.46; Nora Wallenius, Jr., 3.96.

OUR LADY OF PEACE

Courtney Fleck, Sr., 3.02; Jacquelyn Phillips, Jr., 3.20; Kirstie Ruppert, Sr., 4.02; Megan Suster, Sr., 3.51; Vanessa Van Epps, Jr., 3.87; Chelsea Woerle, Sr., 3.30.

BISHOP'S

Brittany Allen, Sr., 4.03; Carly Bollert, Jr., 3.81; Laurel Casey, Sr., 4.59; Julie Gantz, Jr., 4.43; Carly Guiducci, Jr., 3.39; Kendall Lord, Jr., 3.87; Alex Pell, Sr., 3.65; Jacqueline Rhodes, Sr., 3.64.

BONITA VISTA

Christine Barrs, Jr., 3.17; Danielle Boykin, Sr., 3.03; Lauren Carlson, Sr., 3.56; Camille Countryman, Jr., 3.42; Melinda Fuimaono, Sr., 3.22; Whitney Hunt, Jr., 3.33; Sydney Seydel, Jr., 4.00; Rachel Sides, Sr., 4.06.

BORREGO SPRINGS

Jessica Dunn, Sr., 3.85; Camay Gullo, Sr., 3.66; Melinda Peiffer, Sr., 4.19.

BRAWLEY

Elin Astrom, Jr., 3.33; Miranda Boas, Jr., 4.33; Tymika Brown, Sr., 3.33; Brianne Chavarin, Sr., 4.17; Brittani Gibson, Sr., 3.25; Abbie Muller, Jr., 4.00; Courtney Stewart, Jr., 3.50.

CHULA VISTA CALVARY CHRISTIAN

Mel Robledo, Jr., 4.12; Kristina Garcia, Jr., 3.57.

VISTA CALVARY CHRISTIAN

Ciera Heimbigner, Jr., 3.60; Amy Salvato, Jr., 3.10.

CALVIN CHRISTIAN

Allie Blum, Jr., 3.61; Annette Brouwer, Jr., 3.64; Christine Schwiebert, Jr., 3.62; Elise Van Dam, Jr., 3.18.

CANYON CREST

Alyssa Anton, Jr., 3.62; Amanda Harris, Jr., 3.70; Caitlin Mikulicich, Sr., 3.28; Juliet O'Day, Jr., 3.46; Danielle Pifer, Jr., 3.26; Laura Plumb, Jr., 3.90; Megan Plumb, Jr., 3.90; Taylor Snell, Jr., 3.50; Lindsey Walker, Jr., 3.62; Carissa Yamanishi, Jr., 3.71.

CARLSBAD

Kathleen Carbone, Sr., 3.08; Ariana Covington, Sr., 3.00; Alexa Harper, Sr., 3.96; Tabitha Henken, Sr., 4.12; Kim-Lien Le, Sr., 3.44; Marisa Low, Jr., 3.85; Brittany O'Connor, Sr., 3.85; Robin Rostratter, Sr., 4.11; Cory Santos, Sr., 3.20.

CASTLE PARK

Laura Cuevas, Jr., 3.42; Alyssa Gonzalez, Sr., 3.36; Sochietta Kao, Sr., 3.84; Yesenia Obeso, Sr., 3.68; Sonia Rojas, Sr., 3.97.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC

Paige Hoffman, Sr., 3.63; Lexi Williamson, Jr., 3.50; Kim Yee, Jr., 4.25.

CENTRAL

Suede Jones, Jr., 3.04; Vivanna Morales, Sr., 3.19; Yezenia Alicia Velazco, Jr., 3.54; Nicole Vincent, Jr., 3.00.

CHRISTIAN

Rachel Allen, Jr., 3.82; Rachel Blair, Jr., 4.44; Kaitlin Bartlett, Sr., 3.69; Taryn Coughlan, Sr., 4.29; Rachel Fields, Sr., 3.56; Arianna Newman, Jr., 3.32; Brooke Wittmayer, Sr., 4.07.

CHULA VISTA

Julieanne Aquino, Sr., 3.54; Angelica Gilroy, Sr., 3.95; Ivana Sanchez, Jr., 3.14.

CLAIREMONT

Caitlin Aimalefoa, Sr., 3.14; Brooke Coopa, Sr., 3.56; Alex Esser, Sr., 3.75; Courtney Gahan, Sr., 3.36; Samantha Hovey, Sr., 3.19; Trisha Kanie, Jr., 3.46; Katie Olsen, Jr., 3.58; Jessica Read, Sr., 3.33; Shelby Turner, Jr., 3.64; Kylia West, Sr., 4.11; Mary Wood, Sr., 3.58.

CORONADO

Briana Baszak, Jr., 3.29; Maddie Boomer, Jr., 3.50; Kelsey Fitzgerald, Sr., 4.24; Melissa Humphrey, Jr., 4.14; Christy Mebust, Sr., 4.14; Rachel Ricker, Jr., 4.04.

CRAWFORD

Heather Hobson, Jr., 3.45; Gladys Munoz, Jr., 3.00; Tracy Nguyen, Jr., 3.54; Noemi Olvera, Sr., 3.50; Amanda Reynoso, Sr., 3.60; Kathleen Thol, Jr., 3.80; Julie Tran, Sr., 3.70; Soprey Tep, Jr., 3.80.

EASTLAKE

Audrey Keller, Jr., 4.33; Jasmine Mejia, Jr., 3.25; Brianne Reyes, Jr., 3.50; Alex Speaks, Sr., 3.56.

EL CAJON VALLEY

Allison Frederick, Jr., 3.87; Jessica Gibson, Sr., 3.63; Tahmina Habibzada, Jr., 3.77; Liela Hoeschen, Sr., 3.95; Stephanie Smith, Sr., 3.97.

EL CAMINO

Allysa Chung, Sr., 3.65; Madelaine Jo Estrabillo, Jr., 4.06; Rosa Fesili, Jr., 3.38; Elizabeth Hafemann, Jr., 3.38; Simone Haynesworth, Sr., 4.17; Kimberly Lane, Sr., 3.85; Alissa Mikami, Sr., 3.41; Jewel Pereyra, Jr., 4.03; Sandra Pritchard, Sr., 3.00.

EL CAPITAN

Heather Brewer, Sr., 3.10; Steffanie Charlesworth, Sr., 4.02; Katherine Dudley, Sr., 4.72; Sarah Laff, Sr., 3.71; Sarah McDonald, Sr., 4.56.

ESCONDIDO

Jessica Archie, Sr., 3.18; Amira Attar, Sr., 4.07; Courtney Brewer, Jr., 3.12; Lindsey Brewer, Jr., 3.32; Lacey Bridges, Sr., 4.30; Jenna Godinez, Jr., 3.76; Sarah Hall, Sr., 4.05; Krystle Osby, Jr., 3.00; Jenny Pasch, Sr., 3.81; Sidney Schroeder, Jr., 3.24; Mariel Sena, Jr., 4.10; Tayler Williams, Sr., 3.17.

ESCONDIDO ADVENTIST

Jennifer Buchheim, Sr., 3.76; Abbigail Duong, Jr., 4.04; Elizabeth Duran, Sr., 3.73; Cailey Lushanko, Sr., 3.15; Meghan McGee, Sr., 3.83; Jillian Nicola, Sr., 4.10; Angela Payaban, Sr., 4.01; Alisa Ward, Sr., 3.06.

ESCONDIDO CHARTER

Angel Cazares, Sr., 3.19; Sarah Huffman, Jr., 3.67; Amelia Morley, Jr., 4.00; Natalie Shapiro, Sr., 4.00.

FALLBROOK

Bonnie Marie Brazee, Sr., 3.31; Britney DeStefani, Sr., 3.08; Lauren Goodell, Jr., 3.08; Holly Herter, Sr., 3.05; Stephanie Jansen, Sr., 3.97; Michell Morton, Sr., 3.11; Sha'Dare McNeal, Jr., 3.21; Kerry Popko, Sr., 3.28; Hailey Van Wechel, Sr., 3.00.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN

Alicia Buckley, Jr., 3.63; Elizabeth Barrett, Sr., 4.16.

FRANCIS PARKER

Hannah Benjamin, Jr., 4.33; Annie Condon, Jr., 4.15; Devin Degraw, Jr., 3.41; Carolyn Hillgren, Jr., 3.75; Kassy Lee, Sr., 4.66; Carolyn Neilson, Jr., 4.14; Alexis Nicholas, Sr., 3.70; Megan Piacquadio, Sr., 4.23; Analise Roland, Jr., 3.77.

GRANITE HILLS

Laura Fry, Sr., 3.20; Kristine George, Jr., 3.20; Molly Hillenbrand, Sr., 3.40; Courtney Lyons, Jr., 3.00; Kimberly McCalmont, Jr., 3.10; Caitlin Miller, Sr., 4.70.

GROSSMONT

Nathalie Donche, Sr., 3.00; Megan Enright, Jr., 4.00; Devynne Johnson, Sr., 3.30; Caroline Kuhns, Sr., 4.40; Megan McManus, Jr., 3.80; Leslie Montag, Jr., 4.40; Katie Patterson, Sr., 4.50; Leticia Torriente, Jr., 4.00.

GUAJOME PARK

Cory Bockhorst, Sr., 3.54; Sarah Chavez, Sr., 3.15; Carly Hunter, Sr., 3.13; Maya Koue, Sr., 4.13; Kimberly Lam, Jr., 4.34; Jenn Murray, Sr., 3.70; Samantha Meyers, Sr., 3.13; Robin Rhine, Sr., 4.41; Amanda Serdahely, Sr., 4.13.

HELIX

Madison Bala, Jr., 4.64; Jenelle Bryant, Jr., 3.96; Alexandra Eatchel, Sr., 3.88; Alexandra Reardon, Jr., 4.16; Alexandra Sarzyniak, Jr., 3.43; Chelsea Shepard, Jr., 4.39; Courtney Skaggs, Jr., 4.07; Jessica Smith, Sr., 4.52; Katherine Taylor, Jr., 3.36.

HIGH TECH

Erica Adriany, Sr., 3.64; Emily Burns, Jr., 3.95; Margaret Oka, Jr., 3.97; Anne Schnieder, Sr., 4.26; Elizabeth Tagaloni, Sr., 3.76.

HILLTOP

Brittni Campos, Sr., 3.22; Alyssa Hiatt, Sr., 3.29; Chelsey McGrath, Sr., 3.89; Alyson Merz, Sr., 3.70; Chelsea Tripp, Sr., 3.57; Kelsey Welch, Jr., 3.42; Stephanie Wertz, Jr., 3.63.

HOOVER

Ayak Abiel, Jr., 4.00; Veronica Cornejo, Jr., 3.25; Jamellah Johnson, Jr., 3.25; Sandy Khanitha, Sr., 3.00; Apple Phimmasone, Sr., 4.00; Megan Tran, Jr., 3.75.

HORIZON

Torrie Bradley, Sr., 3.66; Monique Correia, Jr., 3.40; Regina Dowdy, Jr., 4.50; Christina Duenas, Sr., 3.40; Rachael Everett, Jr., 3.84; Amanda Hoskins, Sr., 4.74; Bethany Mead, Sr., 4.00; Rachel Ortiz, Sr., 4.10; Shannon Vinson, Sr., 3.50; Dominique Garcia, Jr., 4.28.

IMPERIAL

Ariel Andrade, Sr., 3.69; Teine Asaeli, Sr., 3.67; Dani Castleberry, Jr., 3.31; Caitlin Johnson, Sr., 4.08; Raquel Fimbres, Sr., 3.67; Julie Middleton, Jr., 3.67.

JULIAN

Brenda Abarca, Sr., 4.26; Caitlin Boyer, Sr., 3.22; Brianna Bustillos, Sr., 4.21; Allison Cauzza, Jr., 3.44; Emily Hanson, Jr., 3.36; Kelsey Johnston, Jr., 3.27; Kailee Olson, Sr., 3.36; Jennifer Rainey, Jr., 3.15.

KEARNY

Joslyn Caudillo, Sr., 3.93; Louise Pimental, Sr., 3.44; Lara Rocchi, Sr., 3.75.

LA COSTA CANYON

Nicole Chu, Jr., 4.04; Katie Fuller, Jr., 3.71; Kassandra Hernandez, Sr., 3.11; Hannah Johnson, Jr., 3.83; Krista Merchat, Sr., 4.26; Alyssa Reyes, Sr., 4.44; Lydia Rudnick, Jr., 4.13; Samantha Slavinsky, Jr., 4.04; Laura Watt, Jr., 3.70.

LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY

Kenna Foltz, Sr., 3.59; Alexandria Geisler, Sr., 3.96; Jessica Hershfield, Sr., 3.92; Jordan Krant, Jr., 3.86; Grace Murk, Jr., 3.02.

LA JOLLA

Meghan Barry, Sr., 3.92; Karly Deer, Jr., 3.83; Madeline Goese, Jr., 3.67; Meredith Green, Jr., 4.17; Melissa Helm, Sr., 4.00; Allison Marsh, Sr., 4.23; Allyn Meyer, Sr., 4.04; Caitlin Parmer, Jr., 4.67.

LINCOLN

Josie Tautafu, Jr., 3.00; Samantha Milo, Jr., 3.33; Desiree Santos, Jr., 3.00.

LUTHERAN

Sara Hooper, Jr., 3.73; Christine Whiteaker, Jr., 4.00.

MADISON

Victoria Quintanar, Sr., 4.19.

MAR VISTA

Hannah Bossenger, Jr., 3.40; Nastassia Cunniff, Jr., 3.30; Monique Ferreyra-Ramirez, Jr., 3.14; Janet Miguel, Sr., 3.08; Chelsea Pino, Sr., 3.09; Ashley Sevilla, Jr., 4.20; Sialoren Spaulding, Jr., 4.38; Tessa Swier, Sr., 4.04; Sabylle Wein, Sr., 3.14.

MATER DEI CATHOLIC

Celia Wright, Jr., 3.40; Lauren Judal, Jr., 3.70; Carly Byrn, Sr., 3.20; Denisse Martinez, Sr., 3.30; Jhazmine Lynch, Jr., 3.30; Ebone Henry, Jr., 3.96.

MIDWAY BAPTIST

Carolina Arreola, Sr., 3.34; Amanda Eldridge, Jr., 3.63; Arianna Lujano, Jr., 3.03.

MIRA MESA

Christina Brown, Jr., 3.00; Brianna Daum, Jr., 4.00; Melissa Farin, Jr., 4.17; Amy Khuu, Jr., 4.00; Brittany Kvalvik, Jr., 3.67; Aarika Pereria, Jr., 3.08; Shelby Watson, Jr., 3.42; Justine Maeva, Sr., 3.00.

MISSION BAY

Rosie Belden, Jr., 3.96; Brooke Bruce, Jr., 3.68; Braelyn Chapman, Jr., 3.67; Sarah Curiel, Jr., 3.89; Kelsey Dorn, Sr., 3.02; Jenny Felix, Jr., 3.13; Joy Libs, Jr., 4.00; Brittany Moore, Sr., 3.59; Nhi Nguyen, Sr., 3.82; Sonya Novak, Sr., 4.02; Celeste Padilla, Sr., 4.02; Ashley Rhoades, Sr., 3.55; Jenny Richey, Jr., 4.07; Rosalie Sanchez, Jr., 3.96; Megan Upp, Jr., 4.21.

MISSION HILLS

Alex Pankey, Jr., 3.35; Melissa Hatley, Sr., 3.97; Kim Norcia, Sr., 4.06; Lauren O'Grady, Sr., 3.20; Lauren Sharp, Sr., 3.00.

MONTE VISTA

Averie Aguon, Sr., 4.17; Kate Barrow, Sr., 3.08; Liaiesha Brandon, Jr., 3.00; Natasha Delgado, Sr., 3.66; Stacey Leavitt, Sr., 4.48; Ana Madrigal, Sr., 3.87; Kaitlyn McMillan, Sr., 3.00; Brittani Porter, Sr., 3.77; Caitlin Quon, Jr., 3.20.

MONTGOMERY

Conralyn Cabalbaf, Jr., 3.63; Danielle Dorame, Jr., 3.68; Vanessa Hodge, Jr., 3.85; Aileen Magsino, Sr., 3.60; Rosa Miranda, Jr., 3.36; Nastassia Ramirez, Jr., 3.06; Karleen Ronsairo, Sr., 4.06.

MORSE

Aysia Acfalle, Jr., 3.33; Sandra Briones, Jr., 3.63; Marjorie Canare, sr., 3.78; Amber Grantello, Jr., 3.96; Kirstyne Lange, Sr., 3.61; Lorealle Ordinario, Sr., 3.13; Alexandria Ortega, Sr., 3.33; Felicia Reifschneider, Sr., 3.71; Christylynn Sahagun, Jr., 3.50; Dee Sua, Sr., 3.28; Bettina Sumabat, Jr., 3.33.

MT. CARMEL

Amanda Arnold, Sr., 3.69; Kelly Hansen, Sr., 3.76; Allyson Huber, Sr., 3.59; Stephanie Lage, Sr., 3.88; Andrea Sun, Jr., 4.18; Samantha Warner, Jr., 3.80.

MOUNT MIGUEL

Sereena Castillo, Jr., 3.68; Adella Fejeran, Sr., 4.62; Erica Johnson, Sr., 4.19; Barbara Sam, Sr., 3.41.

MOUNTAIN EMPIRE

Cynthia Durflinger, Sr., 4.00; Laura Fallgren, Sr., 3.67.

OCEANSIDE

Rebecca Heiner, Jr., 3.56; Cassie Shrote, Jr., 3.92; Ciara Warren, Jr., 3.50.

OLYMPIAN

Simone Blackmon, Jr., 3.13; Crystal Cesena, Jr., 3.32; Lexie Enguancho, Jr., 3.52; Stephanie Gaoiran, Jr., 3.00; Lauren Kohler, Jr., 3.17; Jazmine Santos, Jr., 3.70; Tiffany Tigno, Jr., 3.64; Jamie Trias, Jr., 4.04.

ORANGE GLEN

Lana Graves, Sr., 3.80; Michelle Thinh, Sr., 4.00; Stephany Newland, Jr., 3.33; Emily Putnam, Jr., 3.83.

PALO VERDE

Alixandra Caramella, Jr., 3.22; Jasmin Keller, Jr., 3.65; Ashley Powers, Jr., 3.17; Keeli Wilder, Jr., 3.00.

PATRICK HENRY

Lauren Compton, Sr., 3.00; Haley Knudson, Sr., 4.00; Nichole Kurz, Jr., 3.83; Hilary Leong, Jr., 4.00; Karlie MeKee, Jr., 4.00; Devin Mendoza, Jr., 3.16; Chelsea Mills, Jr., 3.83; Makena Rutan, Jr., 3.83.

POINT LOMA

Kimberly Dolphin, Sr., 4.13; Camille East, Sr., 3.71; Laura Evans, Jr., 4.33; Sarah Fredericks, Sr., 4.25; Brianna Lyons, Jr., 3.83; Gabrielle Maons, Jr., 3.92; Chelsea Oakes, Sr., 3.54; Kirsten Skala, Sr., 4.04.

POWAY

Emily Capozzoli, Sr., 3.63; Sydney Collett, Jr., 3.52; Madelynn Dahms, Jr., 3.85; Andrea Fett, Jr., 3.76; Leah Fisher, Jr., 3.80; Katie Fraccalvieri, Jr., 3.40; Kirstie Hunt, Sr., 3.29; Kory Ogden, Sr., 3.84; Kaitlyn Plum, Sr., 3.47; Kara Reis, Jr., 3.77; Grace Wegrzyn, Jr., 4.09.

PREUSS

Melanie Dumalag, Sr., 4.18; Jasmine Harris, Sr., 3.91; Julie Le, Sr., 3.76; Thuy Ly, Sr., 4.19; Tania Martinez, Jr., 3.56; Alma Medina, Sr., 3.81; Ashley Roaseau, Sr., 3.57; Janet Sarinana, Sr., 3.51; Alicia Thomas, Jr., 3.56; Stephanie Ruiz, Jr., 3.33.

RAMONA

Alyssa Bennett, Sr., 4.17; Jolinda Georgeson, Sr., 3.17; Heather Hartwell, Sr., 3.67; Cassandra Miller, Sr., 3.83; Michelle Winchell, Sr., 3.83.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Britta Meier, Jr., 3.90; Blair Melvin, Jr., 3.31; Nicole Shah, Jr., 3.55; Jamie Ta, Jr., 4.10; Ashleigh Yamasaki, Jr., 3.33.

RANCHO BUENA VISTA

Taylor Crabtree, Sr., 3.62; Claire Frame, Sr., 3.61; Carissa Hoover, Jr., 4.55; Andrea Johnson, Jr., 4.26; Rachel Kaiser, Jr., 3.38; Taryn Linhoff, Sr., 4.43; Michelle Miller, Sr., 4.10; Michelle Nelson, Sr., 4.61; Caroline Quiring, Sr., 3.62; Chloe Schweikart, Jr., 3.39; Sara Stotler, Jr., 4.09; Brittany Williams, Sr., 3.70; Amy Wray, Sr., 4.79.

SAN DIEGO

Aana Myers, Sr., 4.10; Zoe Rogerson, Sr., 3.29; Margarita Mcfadden, Sr., 4.27; Brittany Tolentino, Jr., 4.00; Megan Jaramillo, Jr., 3.40; Veronica Hamilton, Jr., 3.71.

SAN DIEGO JEWISH

Haley Epstine, Jr., 3.74; Michele Goldfarb-Shapiro, Jr., 3.43; Aliza Grossman, Jr., 4.16; Ronit Hakakha, Jr., 4.38; Alana Michaels, Jr., 3.76; Alexandra Reeves, Sr., 3.90; Rebecca Rudin, Jr., 4.21; Kerrie Wilcox, Sr., 3.64.

SAN DIEGUITO

MacKenzie Aries, Sr., 3.81; Kelsey Crowe, Jr., 3.96; Desiree Etzel, Jr., 3.93; Paige Findlay, Jr., 3.43; Kelly Flannery, Jr., 3.66; Kayla Frost, Jr., 3.84; Sami Houston, Sr., 3.84; Allie McGregor, Jr., 3.46; Nora Wallenius, Jr., 3.96.

SAN MARCOS

Jordan Beck, Jr., 3.67; Pauline Chung, Jr., 3.00; Kylee Kammler, Sr., 3.50; Alex McCoy, Sr., 3.80; Ashley Metzger, Sr., 3.20; Jennifer Minnich, Jr., 3.17; Janessa Morgan, Sr., 3.67; Toni Pipes, Jr., 4.00; Karly Rasmussen, Jr., 3.17.

SAN PASQUAL

Hannah Bowen, Jr., 4.00; Courtney Boyle, Jr., 3.48; Morgan Conroy, Jr., 3.13; Cassandra Dexter, Sr., 3.03; Andrea Dietz, Jr., 3.44; Courtney Dominguez, Jr., 4.13; Lindsey Hudgins, Jr., 3.92; Elizabeth Janson, Sr., 3.92; Kelcie Livesay, Jr., 3.40; Stephanie Onstot, Sr., 4.47; Amanda Rueda, Sr., 3.75.

SAN PASQUAL ACADEMY

Simone Hidds-Narcisse, Jr., 3.85; Diana Lopez, Jr., 3.65; Karen Lopez, Jr., 3.81; Alanna Ruiz, Jr., 3.29.

SAN YSIDRO

Alissa Cordova, Jr., 3.69.

SANTA FE CHRISTIAN

Victoria Adelhelm, Jr., 3.66; Amy Alkazin, Sr., 3.75; Jenny DeVries, Jr., 4.19; Sarah Francis, Sr., 4.34; Taylor Johnson, Jr., 3.71; Kristin Miller, Jr., 3.04; Sami Miller, Sr., 4.23; Jordan Mylet, Sr., 4.14; Chelsea Oemcke, Sr., 3.51; Faith Steinwedell, Sr., 3.88.

SANTANA

Amanda Asprion, Jr., 3.70; Brittany Balough, Sr., 3.90; Nicole Brzeczek, Sr., 3.40; Emma Burch, Sr., 4.50; Jamie Elias, Jr., 3.30; Rachel Failla, Sr., 4.10; Brittany Fenn, sr., 3.20; Christina Lomedico, Jr., 3.30; Andra Mullen, Jr., 3.40; Miki Sankary, sr., 4.70.

SCRIPPS RANCH

Alissa Alker, Jr., 3.71; Robyn Eshelman, Jr., 3.54; Mariah Gallivan, Jr., 3.54; Cortney Judy, Sr., 3.03; Klarissa Maluto, Sr., 4.14; Gabby Meyer, Jr., 3.88; Carolyn Mickelson, Jr., 3.88; Alyssa Naylor, Sr., 3.25; Jenny O'Brien, Sr., 3.22; Colleen Purcell, Sr., 3.78; Amy Webster, Sr., 4.24.

SERRA

Ashley Archie, Sr., 3.07; Bridget Cannan, Sr., 3.50; Brittney partow, Sr., 3.97; Kristen Pashkowsky, Sr., 3.92; Tagisia Togisala, Sr., 3.19; Ana-Marie Wilbert, Jr., 3.50.

SOUTH BAY CHRISTIAN

Alysha Hodges, Jr., 3.60; Jessica Williams, Jr., 3.10.

EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST

Emily Alvarado, Jr., 3.13; Barbara Beltran, Sr., 3.67; Casey Cooper, Jr., 4.12; Neva Holmes, Jr., 3.33; Talia Saikhon, Jr., 3.62; Tessa Saikhon, Sr., 3.62; Daris Schneider, Sr., 3.11; Aryanna Valdez, Sr., 3.20; Susana Verdugo-Del Real, Sr., 3.75.

SAN DIEGO SOUTHWEST

Elvina Adams, Sr., 3.68; Nicole Bunyi, Jr., 3.19; Genesis Castaneda, Sr., 3.50; Norma Durazo, Sr., 3.32; Rochelle Esguerra, Sr., 3.66; Julia Gavan, Sr., 3.70; Karen Gil, Sr., 3.10; Carmela Paterno, Sr., 3.68; Aileen Samaco, Jr., 3.71.

STEELE CANYON

Devon Frye, Jr., 4.50; Lindsay Hertel, Sr., 4.60; Jayme Jarvis, Sr., 3.80; Marie King, Jr., 4.20; Hillary Koop, Sr., 4.40; Meichell Pendergrass, Jr., 3.70; Briana Perez, Jr., 4.10; Kristin Perry, Jr., 4.10; Teresa Perry, Jr., 4.30; Taylor Rilling, Jr., 4.50.

SWEETWATER

Juana Carrillo, Sr., 3.72; Brianda Gumbs, Sr., 3.00; Viriana Hernandez, Sr., 4.06; Rachael Lomas, Jr., 3.89; Liseth Marquez, Jr., 4.00; Margarita Ochoco, Sr., 3.46; Karla Pena, Sr., 4.16; Claudina Quiroz, Sr., 3.49.

TORREY PINES

Sandy Block, Sr., 3.80; Alexandra Campbell, Jr., 4.11; Elizabeth Campbell, Jr., 4.04; Anne Carroll Ingersoll, Sr., 4.33; Heidi Leonard, Sr., 4.29; Kerra Schroeder, Jr., 3.22; Natalie Taylor, Sr., 4.25; Brittany Vu, Sr., 3.11.

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN

Alysia Baker, Sr., 3.60; Aimee Bird, Sr., 4.56; Breanna Schleicher, Sr., 3.51; Katie Carabajal, Jr., 3.45; Taylor Mehl, Jr., 4.01; Melissa Moore, Jr., 3.06; Brittany Thompson, Jr., 3.37; Rachel Willis, Jr., 3.20.

UNIVERSITY CITY

Jessica Blackwell, Sr., 3.83; Ariel Cowell, Sr., 3.50; Sarah Girdner, Jr., 3.30; Jaclyn Hamme, Sr., 3.15; Laurie Recksieck, Jr., 3.40; Jolene Walter, Sr., 4.00.

VALHALLA

Alyssa Alfonso, Sr., 3.14; Kelsee Buskirk, Sr., 4.34; Cassanrda Barger, Sr., 3.69; Dana Burkey, Sr., 3.41; Sabrina Carlson, Sr., 3.40; Stacey Grundstrom, Sr., 3.97; Jamie Justo, Sr., 3.63; Kaitlen Laine, Jr., 4.09; Alison Noble, Jr., 4.08; Bridget Perry, Sr., 4.05; Christina Tutino, Jr., 3.03; Maura Young, Sr., 3.61; Molly Zive, Sr., 3.41.

VALLEY CENTER

Jessica Beach, Sr., 3.72; Whitney James, Jr., 3.16; Taylor Morrison, Jr., 3.84; Wesley Mowry, Sr., 3.98; Rebecca Mussatti, Sr., 3.33; Amanda Packer, Sr., 3.56; Stefanie Ryan, Jr., 3.60; Taylor Semrau, Sr., 4.17; Sarah Sharp, Jr., 3.66; Melanie Sourbeer, Jr., 3.94.

VISTA

Jamie Basinger, Sr., 3.02; Lauren Campbell, Sr., 3.78; Stephanie Campbell, Sr., 3.78; Kaila Crowe, Sr., 3.03; Candace Greytak, Jr., 3.45; Malia Marquardt, Sr., 3.56; Dera Martinez, Sr., 3.05; Michelle Morales, Sr., 3.63; Jasmine Rankins, Sr., 3.15.

WESTVIEW

Ashley Barreras, Jr., 3.12; Claire Cordua, Jr., 3.66; Lauren Gellerman, Jr., 3.95; Erin Lupfer, Sr., 4.21; Giovanna Silberman, Jr., 3.44; Ariel Stark, Jr., 4.04; Emily Watkins, Jr., 3.43.

WEST HILLS

Sunny Bruns, Sr., 4.29; Whitney Canty, Sr., 4.16; Corryn Kivett-Hauck, Jr., 3.96; Danielle Marriott, Jr., 3.27; Rachel Peters, Jr., 4.00; Natalie Pittman, Jr., 3.74; Brooke Plante, Jr., 3.00; Kelsey Shoberg, Jr., 4.71; Karaline Stamper, Sr., 3.32; Kristina Weiss, Jr., 3.20.

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SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE Girls Bolleyball Academic Teams
December 2008

SAN DIEGUITO

Jourdyn Aiken, Jr., 3.96; Kelsey Crowe, Sr., 4.14; Paige Findlay, Sr., 3.65; Kayla Frost, Sr., 3.97; Shay Goldberg, Sr., 3.00; Anna Kobara, Jr., 3.81; Allison McGregor, Sr., 3.40; Katherine Merchat, Jr., 4.00; Kelly Scherer, Jr., 3.90; Nora Wallenius, Sr., 4.16.

OUR LADY OF PEACE

Brett Boeh, Jr., 3.65; Molly Diamond, Jr., 3.69; Maite Garay, Jr., 3.66; Michelle Haiker, Jr., 3.29; Ivana Hawley, Jr., 3.66; Catherine Schneider, Jr., 3.88; Andrea Seikaly, Jr., 4.16; Cassandra Spardy, Jr., 3.34; Chelsea Castillo, Jr., 3.91; Jacquelyn Phillips, Sr., 3.22; Alexandra Rice, Jr., 3.12; Vanessa Van Epps, Sr., 4.02; Elizabeth Viruete, Jr., 4.08.

BISHOP'S

Carly Bollert, Sr., 4.00; Thea Derrough, Jr., 3.77; Kelly Enbring, Sr., 3.80; Julie Gantz, Sr., 4.50; Carly Guiducci, Sr., 3.69; Kendall Lord, Sr., 3.95; Taylor Maxey, Sr., 3.44; Hannah Saber, Jr., 3.00; Savannah Smith, Jr., 3.95; Stephanie Yetter, Jr., 3.68.

BONITA VISTA

Jenna Alvarado, Jr., 3.13; Christine Baars, Sr., 3.08; Camille Countryman, Sr., 3.58; Patricia Fahey, Sr., 3.83; Whitney Hunt, Sr., 3.25; Linsey McFarland, Jr., 3.33; Valerie Murray, Jr., 3.17; Bianca Ornelas, Jr., 3.65; Sydney Seydel, Sr., 4.08.

BORREGO SPRINGS

Halina Delgadillo, Jr., 3.21; Jasmine Martin, Sr., 3.03.

BRAWLEY

Lauren Drysdale, Jr., 4.17; Haley Hamby, Jr., 3.00; Shelby Hilburn, Jr., 4.33; Mikaela Judson, Jr., 3.33; Abbie Muller, Sr., 4.00.

CALEXICO

Mia Enciso, Sr., 3.87; Stephanie Garcia, Sr., 3.58; Aimee Gutierrez, Sr., 4.08; Brianda Montoya, Jr., 3.42.

VISTA CALVARY CHRISTIAN

Alyx Marascuillo, Jr., 3.10; Yesemia Ramos, Jr., 3.70; Taylor Waters, Jr., 3.30; Megan Whetsel, Jr., 3.50.

CALVIN CHRISTIAN

Michelle Baerg, Sr., 3.29; Annette Brouwer, Sr., 3.65; Julianna Cooper, Jr., 3.75; Victoria Katje–Parker, Jr., 3.47; Krista Kraus, Jr., 3.19; Carla Ramelli, Jr., 3.73; Elise Van Dam, Sr., 3.11.

CANYON CREST

Claire Andrews, Sr., 3.25; Alyssa Anton, Sr., 3.65; Jennifer Djavaherian, Jr., 3.81; Amanda Harris, Sr., 3.62; Brooke Munson, Jr., 3.78; Juliet O'Day, Sr., 3.45; Danielle Pifer, Sr., 3.40; Laura Plumb, Jr., 3.82; Megan Plumb, Jr., 3.88; Taylor Snell, Sr., 3.50; Lindsey Walker, Sr., 3.58; Carissa Yamanishi, Sr., 3.79.

CARLSBAD

Arielle Beaulieu, Sr., 3.60; Nicole Beaulieu, Sr., 4.40; Cassie Belk, Jr., 3.00; Emily Deering, Sr., 4.00; Kendra Keith, Jr., 4.17; Emily Krak, Jr., 4.00; Marisa Low, Sr., 3.83; Robin Rostratter, Sr., 4.50; Alexandra Stringer, Sr., 3.83; Natalia Tamburini, SR., 4.00.

CASTLE PARK

Ivone Castellanos, Sr., 3.65; Maxeen Gomez, Sr., 3.42; Stephanie Ewest, Jr., 3.77.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC

Melissa Adams, Jr., 3.08; Rachel Oemcke, Jr., 3.44; Brittany Parnell, Jr., 3.08; Kelly Reeves, Jr., 3.73; Samanthan Shafer, Jr., 3.75; Alexis Williamson, Sr., 3.61.

CENTRAL

Julie Gross, Jr., 3.25; Breanna Lewenthal, Jr., 3.04; Vianey Lopez, Sr., 3.08; Christina Montaño, Jr., 3.40; Rachel Powers, Sr., 3.16; Nicole Vincent, Sr., 3.09.

CHRISTIAN

Rachel Allen, Sr., 3.66; Rachel Bair, Sr., 4.53; Christina Baxter, Jr., 3.00; Kayle Fields, Jr., 3.94; Ricki Gentry, Jr., 3.07; Kelley Larsen, Jr., 4.32; Devin Marshall, Jr., 3.25; Danielle Ross, Jr., 4.14.

CHULA VISTA

Marissa Adame, Jr., 3.36; Dianne Aquino, Jr., 3.21; Candace Kaimuloa, Jr., 3.64; Alexandria Mercado, sr., 3.33; Sofia Ortiz, Jr., 3.00; Ivana Sanchez, Sr., 3.21; Brenda Vargas, Sr., 3.54.

CLAIREMONT

Jackie De Rieux, Jr., 4.04; Jamey Hanson, Jr., 3.44; Katey Hanson, Sr., 3.54; Trisha Kanie, Sr., 3.58; Katie Olsen, Sr., 3.56; Rebecca Rossiter, Jr., 3.40; Shelby Turner, Sr., 3.70; Janali West, Jr., 4.08; Kelly Wood, Jr., 3.75; Victoria Wooley, Jr., 4.16.

CORONADO

Brianna Baszak, Sr., 3.22; Madison Boomer, Sr., 3.67; Morgan Bower, Jr., 3.79; Kori Fitzgerald, Jr., 4.25; Brianna Gorgione, Jr., 4.08; Melissa Humphrey, Sr., 4.26; Merrie Mebust, Jr., 3.96; Rachel Ricker, Sr., 4.18; Annie Wilson, Jr., 3.79.

EASTLAKE

Paula Frianeza, Jr., 4.00; Audrey Keller, Sr., 4.23; Jasmine Mejia, Sr., 3.24; Sarah Powell, Jr., 3.29; Brianne Reyes, Sr., 3.47.

EL CAJON VALLEY

Nancy De Santiago, Sr., 3.09; Allison Frederick, Sr., 3.97; Danielle Frederick, Jr., 3.36.

EL CAMINO

Madelaine Estrabillo, Jr., 3.50; Solianna Faapouli, Sr., 3.67; Kelsey Jindra, Sr., 3.83; Amanda Koshley, Jr., 3.00; Marylu Ortiz, Sr., 3.29; Jewel Pereya, Sr., 3.83; Elizabeth Sanchez, Sr., 3.81; Natasha Terhark, Sr., 3.00.

EL CAPITAN

Paige Borras, Jr., 3.46; Kara Hostetler, Jr., 3.91; Lauren Kipp, Jr., 3.58; Emily Laff, Jr., 4.55; Kayla McCoy, Jr., 3.87.

ESCONDIDO

Courtney Brewer, Sr., 3.19; Linsey Brewer, Sr., 3.19; Alyssa Earley, Sr., 3.03; Emily Eastman, Jr., 3.44; Jenna Godinez, Sr., 3.77; Angeline Manalang, Sr., 3.76; Krystle Osby, Sr., 3.11; Kaeli Plaks, Jr., 3.61; Sidney Schroeder, Sr., 3.23; Mariel Sena, Sr., 4.15; Mary Williams, Jr., 3.44.

ESCONDIDO ADVENTIST

Celina Cuevas, Jr., 3.52; Abbigail Duong, Sr., 4.07; Rebecca Jones, Sr., 3.48; Sarah Peterson, Jr., 3.88; Alex Ramos, Jr., 3.55.

ESCONDIDO CHARTER

Kelly McNutt, Jr., 3.33; Angelica McKeithen, Sr., 3.13; Amy Morley, Sr., 3.83; Ashlin Steele, Jr., 3.17.

FALLBROOK

Emily Bryant, Jr., 3.33; Roxanne Barnes-Smith, Jr., 3.50; Haley Hartzell, Jr., 3.50; Luellyn Grantham, Jr., 4.00; Lauren Goodell, Sr., 3.22; Melissa Jansen, Jr., 3.29; Leigh Lawrence, Jr., 3.75; Sha'Dare McNeal, Sr., 3.19.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN

Brianna Bolin, Jr., 3.11.

FRANCIS PARKER

Emily Baratta, Jr., 4.12; Hannah Benjamin, Sr., 4.36; Anne Condon, Sr., 4.30; Devin DeGraw, Sr., 3.59; Carolyn Hillgren, Sr., 3.83; Carolyn Neilson, Sr., 4.26; Analise Roland, Sr., 3.79; Jordan Thayer, Jr., 4.76; Sydney Thayer, Sr., 4.79; Zuri Walker, JR., 3.39.

GRANITE HILLS

Kristine George, Sr., 3.20; Demi Landstedt, Jr., 4.50; Kimberly McCalmont, Sr., 3.20; Olivia Miller, Jr., 4.70; Kathryn Oakes, Jr., 4.30; Jasmine Payne, Jr., 4.00; Shea Skinner, Jr., 3.30.

GROSSMONT

Madalon Cahoon, Jr., 3.50; Isabelle Donche, Jr., 3.80; Megan Enright, Sr., 4.10; Megan McManus, Sr., 3.80; Leslie Montag, Sr., 4.40; Leticia Torriente, Sr., 3.90.

GUAJOME PARK

Shannon Dykes, Jr., 3.29; Kimmi Lam, Sr., 4.65; Katie Perry, Sr., 4.21; Jackie Romero, Jr., 3.20; Chelsea Tate, Jr., 3.46.

HELIX

Samantha Bailey, Jr., 4.08; Madison Bala, Sr., 4.73; Jenelle Bryant, Sr., 3.98; Julie Edwards, Sr., 4.38; Myra Franco, Jr., 3.58; Talia Gaeta, Jr., 4.21; Alexandra Reardon, Sr., 4.25; Bailee Reed, Jr., 3.29; Alexandra Sarzyniak, Sr., 3.32; Chelsea Shepard, Sr., 4.36; Courtney Skaggs, Sr., 4.10; Katherine Taylor, Sr., 3.13; Megan Zabriskie, Jr., 4.15.

HIGH TECH

Julia Batakis, Jr., 3.91; Joelle Burlia, Sr., 3.12; Emily Burns, Sr., 3.85; Denise Delfin, Sr., 3.05; Kerstin Fuller, Jr., 3.99; Kayley Jerman, Jr., 3.96; Ashley Matthews, Jr., 3.47; Paloma Nikolic, Jr., 3.90; Meg Oka, Sr., 3.98.

HILLTOP

Chanel Aguiar, Sr., 3.50; Maura Cien-Mayer, Sr., 3.50; Caley Duplessis, Jr., 3.33; Tabatha Monarrez, Sr., 3.17; Stephanie Werz, Sr., 3.67; Kelsey Welch, Sr., 3.83.

HOLTVILLE

Megan Brady, Sr., 3.69; Hannah Brady, Sr., 4.17; Brittany Gillespie, Sr., 3.36; Demi Johnson, Jr., 4.07; Ashley Kerns, Sr., 3.98; Alyssa Larson, Jr., 3.68; Caitlin Larson, Sr., 4.14; Bethany Lehman, Jr., 4.14; Marina Perry, Sr., 3.73; Kalli Ries, Jr., 4.04; Mallory Samaha, Sr., 3.81.

HOOVER

Ayak Abiel, Sr., 3.00; Kenya Avina, Sr., 3.66; Tiffany Fowler, Sr., 3.50; Jamellah Johnson, Sr., 4.00; Chi Nguyen, Sr., 4.50; Huong Nguyen, Jr., 4.00; Chanele Tafulu-Sieberer, Jr., 3.00; Megan Tran, Sr., 4.00; Mindy Truong, Jr., 4.50.

HORIZON

Haley Conway, Jr., 4.10; Gina Dowdy, Sr., 4.14; Rachael Everett, Sr., 3.91; Dominique Garcia, Sr., 4.52; Melanie Hall, Sr., 3.20; Taylor Mancilla, Sr., 4.24; Nicole Restelli, Jr., 3.71; Kirsten Vande Vegte, Jr., 4.00.

IMPERIAL

Dani Castleberry, Sr., 3.33; Brooklyn Haller, Jr., 3.83; Kayla Hutchinson, Jr., 3.83; Julie Middleton, Sr., 3.72; Jenna Weeks, Sr., 3.69.

JULIAN

Aracely Abarca, Jr., 4.15; Emily Hanson, Sr., 3.16; Kelsey Hartung, Sr., 3.08; Kamisha Hensley, Jr., 3.96; Kelsey Johnston, Sr., 3.13; Jennifer Rainey, Sr., 3.18; Holly Tuomi, Jr., 3.48.

KEARNY

Dulce Cardenas, Jr., 3.25; Kerry Guthrie, Jr., 3.03; Andrea Heyenga, Jr., 3.03; Hannah Markiewcz, Sr., 3.93; Amy Nichols, Jr., 3.74; Sarah Sihakoun, Jr., 3.36; Maly Xayasone, Jr., 3.23; Michelle Wolski, Sr., 3.06.

LA COSTA CANYON

Nicole Chu, Sr., 4.22; Katie Fuller, Sr., 3.50; Natalie Hagglund, Jr., 3.92; Hannah Johnson, Sr., 3.78; Natalie Loos, Jr., 3.52; Kendall Polan, Jr., 3.79; Lydia Rudnick, Sr., 4.28; Samantha Slavinsky, Sr., 4.11; Hannah Townsend, Jr., 3.96; Laura Watt, Sr., 3.72.

LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY

Jessica Altman, Jr., 3.83; Jordan Krant, Sr., 3.91.

LA JOLLA

Jennifer Betyar, Sr., 4.03; Haley Cameron, Jr., 3.88; Karly Deer, Sr., 3.78; Grace Drozda, Jr., 3.88; Madeline Goese, Sr., 3.67; Meredith Green, Sr., 4.00; Madeline Lee, Jr., 3.38; Danika Newlee, Jr., 4.25; Caitlin Parmer, Sr., 4.47.

LINCOLN

Samantha Milo, Sr., 3.16.

LUTHERAN

Chanel Davis, Jr., 3.05; Katie Duggan, Jr., 3.11; Sara Hooper, Sr., 3.68; Rachel Lamonica, Jr., 4.00; Cassie Whiteaker, Jr., 3.80; Christine Whiteaker, Sr., 4.01.

MADISON

Whitney Cotter, Jr., 3.58; Angela Crane, Sr., 4.00; Katelyn Lemont, Sr., 3.09; Linda Quang, Jr., 4.33; Victoria Sanchez, Sr., 3.25; Terin Woodus, Jr., 4.00.

MAR VISTA

Nastassia Cunniff, Sr., 3.41; Wendy Garcia, Jr., 3.33; Monica Howard, Jr., 4.00; Alexus Ortega, Sr., 3.33; Abril Pillado, Jr., 4.20; Myrella Pillado, Jr., 4.20; Ashley Sevilla, Sr., 4.27; Alexis Web, Sr., 3.19.

MARANATHA CHRISTIAN

Gabby Clark, Jr., 3.61; Sarah Estes, Jr., 3.21.

MATER DEI CATHOLIC

Camile Alvarado, Jr., 3.10; Mariana Gomez, Jr., 4.67; Marie Elaine Guilas, Jr., 4.50; Ebone Henry, Sr., 3.90; Danae Johnson, Sr., 4.10; Lauren Elise Judal, Sr., 3.60; Jhazmine Lynch, Sr., 3.20; Michelle Lyle, Sr., 3.25; Celia Wright, Sr., 3.20.

MIDWAY BAPTIST

Ariel Loewnthal, Jr., 3.90; Amanda Eldridge, Sr., 3.25; Ariana Lujano, Sr., 3.02; Stephanie Sterner, Jr., 3.87.

MIRA MESA

Brianna Daum, Sr., 4.17; Melissa Farin, Sr., 4.29; Amy Khuu, Sr., 4.08; Brittany Kvalvik, Sr., 4.00; Colleen Le, Jr., 3.92; Ammalee Luevano, Sr., 3.46; Lauren Mersereau, Jr., 3.42; Breanna Misiaita, Jr., 3.58; Winona Palu, Jr., 3.00; Shelby Watson, Sr., 3.50.

MISSION BAY

Rosemary Belden, Sr., 4.09; Marlee Glasglow, Jr., 4.25; Joy Libs, Sr., 4.13; Jennifer Richey, Sr., 4.13; Megan Upp, Sr., 4.19.

MISSION HILLS

Brook Bagdasar, Jr., 4.17; Jessica Jordan, Sr., 3.03; Alex Pankey, Sr., 3.49; Sarah Rupe, Jr., 3.42; Jennie Sharp, Jr., 3.88; Rachel Younggren, Jr., 3.67.

MONTE VISTA

Liaiesha Brandon, Sr., 3.00; Taylor Makena Diaz, Jr., 3.84; Clarice Limson, Jr., 3.65; Tanika McDaniel, Jr., 3.12; Kathleen Sotelo, Sr., 3.60.

MONTGOMERY

Conralyn Cabalbag, Sr., 3.57; Danielle Dorame, Sr., 3.65; Alexia Enriquez, Jr., 3.74; Vanesa Hodge, Sr., 3.83; Karen Ibarra, Jr., 3.45; Kathryne Jazmine, Jr., 3.50; Nastassia Ramirez, Sr., 3.21; Rio Villa, Jr., 4.00; Rosa Miranda, Jr., 3.10.

MORSE

Alysia Acfalle, Sr., 3.50; Amanda Allen, Jr., 3.50; Sandra Briones, Sr., 3.91; RoseMary Desamito, Sr., 3.58; Carla Ferrer, Sr., 3.16; Bianca Middleton, Sr., 3.16; Ann Parquet, Sr., 3.08; Katherine Phillips, Jr., 3.33; Krystle Samson, Sr., 3.58; Priscilla Taylor, Jr., 3.66; Marianne Vitug, Sr., 3.83.

MT. CARMEL

Madeline Anderson, Jr., 3.62; Sydney Benson, Jr., 3.25; Rachel Gehrke, Jr., 3.09; Victoria Low, Jr., 3.91; Kaeli Saner, Jr., 3.46; Sara Shantz, Jr., 3.61; Andrea Sun, Sr., 4.27; Carly Voris, Jr., 3.05; Samantha Warner, Sr., 3.47.

MOUNT MIGUEL

Mirriam Baterina, Jr., 4.65; Dominque Christian, Jr., 3.50; Johnlyn Colcol, Jr., 4.00; Alisyn Johnson, Jr., 3.95; Sara Pfeffer, Jr., 3.53; Marie Razon, Jr., 3.20.

OCEANSIDE

Brittany Brown, Jr., 3.07; Heather Chance, Jr., 3.65; Becky Heiner, Sr., 3.33; Whitnee Souza, Sr., 3.77; Taylor Stewart, Sr., 3.05; Ciara Warren, sr., 3.38.

OLYMPIAN

Simone Blackmon, Sr., 3.33; April Cantu, Sr., 3.27; Crystal Cesena, Sr., 3.18; Lesleah Flores, Jr., 3.48; Stephanie Gaoiran, Sr., 3.03; Janae Judkins, Sr., 3.21; Lauren Kohler, Sr., 3.14; Jeannie Radoc, Jr., 4.17; Jazmine Santos, Sr., 3.62; Chantal Stamp, Jr., 3.92; Tiffany Tigno, Sr., 3.72; Adrienne Torres, Sr., 3.49.

ORANGE GLEN

Reema Abou-Hamze, Sr., 3.41; Alina Borja, Jr., 4.08; Stephany Newland, Sr., 3.33; Emily Putnam, Sr., 3.42; Darlene Truong, Sr., 3.14.

OTAY RANCH

Jessica Bobadilla, Jr., 4.70; Sarah Campos, Sr., 3.60; Lauren Clark, Jr., 3.80; Sasha Feredoni, Jr., 3.80; Samantha Gallardo, Jr., 3.50; Karina Heredia, Sr., 4.00; Asia Machitar, Jr., 3.80; Marisela Mendez, Sr., 3.60; Rachel Moss, Jr., 3.60; Karin Pereda, Jr., 4.00; Kortney Regan, Sr., 3.60; Samantha Stevens, Sr., 3.20.

PALO VERDE

Alixandra Caramella, Sr., 3.41; Jasmin Keller, Sr., 3.75.

PATRICK HENRY

Kelleene Kawamoto, Jr., 3.50; Nichole Kurz, Sr., 4.00; Hilary Leong, Sr., 4.00; Melissa Lilly, Sr., 3.00; Karlie McKee, Sr., 4.66; Devin Mendoza, Sr., 3.66; Chelsea Mills, sr., 3.10; Cassondra Pugh, Sr., 3.50; Makena Rutan, Sr., 4.20; Sarah Tallarida, Jr., 3.00.

POINT LOMA

Kathleen Berridge, Sr., 3.88; Melanie Fontana, Sr., 4.38; Lauren Leisk, Sr., 3.04; Gabrielle Manos, Sr., 4.13; Andrea Schlageter, Sr., 4.25.

POWAY

Laura Barker, Jr., 3.67; Sydney Collett, Sr., 3.57; Madelynn Dahms, Sr., 3.68; Brooke Engle, Jr., 3.80; Andrea Fett, Sr., 3.82; Leah Fisher, Sr., 3.84; Katie Fraccalvieri, Sr., 3.28; Sarah Hobbs, Jr., 3.14; Mariah Horvath, Jr., 4.10; Allison Jenney, Jr., 3.91; Lauren Plum, Jr., 3.52; Kara Reis, Sr., 3.82.

PREUSS

Perla Chavez, Sr., 3.37; Mariam Garcia, Jr., 3.12; Tania Martinez, Sr., 3.58; Celeste Perez, Jr., 3.31; Stephanie Ruiz, Sr., 3.52; Maricela Sarinana, Jr., 3.25; Alicia Thomas, Sr., 3.79; Monzerrat Zarate, Sr., 3.16.

RAMONA

Shelby Bush, Sr., 3.17; Allie Ferguson, Jr., 3.00; Morgan Gross, Jr., 4.00; Bailey Kotas, Jr., 4.29; Kayla Lawler, Jr., 4.33; Cassandra Miller, Sr., 4.00; Hillary Roloff, Jr., 4.29; Makenzie Taylor, Sr., 4.00.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Melissa Billings, Jr., 3.50; Becky Blalock, Jr., 3.10; Bailey James, Jr., 3.05; Blair Melvin, Sr., 3.13; Rebecca Moore, Sr., 3.27; Lauren Norwood, Jr., 3.55; Jenny Shah, Jr., 3.75; Jamie Ta, Sr., 4.16; Ashleigh Yamasaki, Sr., 3.36; Rachel Zacchilli, Jr., 3.05.

RANCHO BUENA VISTA

Lauren Godinet, Jr., 3.10; Carissa Hoover, Sr., 4.47; Andrea Johnson, Sr., 4.30; Alexandra Meyers, Jr., 4.03; Chloe Schweikart, Sr., 3.58; Lilyana Staight, Jr., 3.48; Sara Stotler, Sr., 3.97.

SAN DIEGO ACADEMY

Sherani Johnson, Sr., 3.97; Hanne Lopez, Sr., 3.69; Alicia Rivera, Sr., 3.32; Yesenia Rivera, Sr., 3.85; Sara Vickonoff, Jr., 3.70; Cidnee Walker, Jr., 3.82.

SAN DIEGO

Vanessa Baker, Jr., 3.41; Camille Coquereau, Jr., 3.76; Jackie Emanthinger, Jr., 4.00; Taylor Goullad, Jr., 3.00; Veronica Hamilton, Sr., 3.65; Megan Jaramillo, Sr., 3.44; Antonina Klincewicz, Jr., 4.12; Brittany Tolentino, Sr., 4.22.

SAN DIEGO JEWISH

Haley Epstine, Sr., 3.91; Shelby Epstine, Jr., 3.76; Joshua Fechter, Sr., 3.31; Michele Goldfarb, Sr., 3.51; Aliza Grossman, Sr., 4.29; Ronit Hakakha, Sr., 4.46; Liat Hoffman, Jr., 4.00; Aliya Luther, Jr., 3.04; Emma Tuttleman, Jr., 3.58; Gabriela Sneider, Jr., 3.93.

SAN MARCOS

Jordan Beck, Sr., 4.11; Doris Fenzi-Donnini, Jr., 3.50; Yuliana Olague, Jr., 3.38; Christina Ortuno, Sr., 3.34; Toni Pipes, Sr., 4.05; Karly Rasmussen, Sr., 3.69; Christi Winter, Jr., 3.49; Cassandra Worsham, Sr., 3.21.

SAN PASQUAL

Hannah Bowen, Sr., 4.17; Courtney Boyle, Sr., 3.49; Claire Carpenter, Jr., 3.92; Andrea Dietz, Sr., 3.70; Lindsey Hudgins, Sr., 4.05; Kelcie Livesay, sr., 3.59; Madeleine Russo, Sr., 3.59.

SAN YSIDRO

Yahaira Aguilar, Sr., 3.28; Alyssa Cordova, Sr., 3.82; Elvida Garcia, Sr., 3.41; Arianna Guillermo, Sr., 4.10; Leslie Joarnt, Sr., 3.03; Rona Quiambao, Jr., 3.97; Priscilla Reyes, Sr., 3.00; Thania Valdez, Sr., 3.84.

SANTA FE CHRISTIAN

Victoria Adelhelm, Sr., 3.79; Jenny DeVries, Sr., 4.25; Chelsea Gest, Jr., 4.14; Megan Grosse, Jr., 4.29; Taylor Johnson, Sr., 3.67; Kristin Miller, Sr., 3.05; Emily Robertson, Sr., 3.78; Nicole Wimsatt, Jr., 4.36.

SANTANA

Amanda Ashwill, Sr., 4.60; Courtney Bolton, Jr., 3.80; Brittany Burgess, Jr., 3.80; Jenna Cooper, Jr., 4.40; Kristie Craig, Jr., 3.00; Jamie Elias, Sr., 3.00; Delia Files-Tostado, Jr., 3.30; Christina Lomedico, Sr., 3.50; Andra Mullen, Sr., 3.10; Alyssa Padberg, Jr., 3.60; Katalin Szakasits, Jr., 3.60.

SCRIPPS RANCH

Alissa Alker, Sr., 3.78; Kelly Dick, Jr., 3.58; Robyn Eshelman, Sr., 3.72; Mariah Gallivan, Sr., 3.58; Phoebe Gurrola, Jr., 3.92; Gabby Meyer, Sr., 3.94; Carolyn Mickelson, Sr., 3.92; Shaun Starr, Sr., 3.00; Mackenzey Forrey, Jr., 3.08.

SERRA

Bianca Aguilar, Jr., 3.50; Megan Cannon, Jr., 3.00; Elizabeth Cho, Jr., 3.42; Alycia Dawson, Jr., 3.17; Stephanie Majsterski, Jr., 3.83; Natalie Meehan, Sr., 3.62; Mia Sarno, Jr., 3.75.

EL CENTRO SOUTHWEST

Emily Alvarado, Sr., 3.12; Casey Cooper, Sr., 4.20; Neva-Britten Holmes, Sr., 3.33; Talia Saikhon, Sr., 3.35; Susana Verdugo-Del Real, Sr., 3.67; Cami Walker, Jr., 3.42.

SAN DIEGO SOUTHWEST

Anais Beltran, Sr., 3.15; Kristine Eliano, Jr., 3.38; Kyaundra Davis, Jr., 3.29; Evelyn Leon, Jr., 3.64; Maritza Limbo, Jr., 3.69; Aileen Samaco, Sr., 3.61; Jazmiin Salazar, Jr., 3.71; Alyssa Soto, Jr., 3.92; Lindsay Thomforde, Sr., 3.08.

STEELE CANYON

Candis Afoa, Jr., 3.59; Devon Frye, Sr., 4.68; Marie King, Sr., 4.36; Michelle Pendergrass, Sr., 3.73; Breanna Perez, Sr., 4.26; Kristin Perry, Sr., 4.30; Teresa Perry, Sr., 4.35; Stephanie Rice, Sr., 3.71; Liana Zoni, Jr., 4.04.

SWEETWATER

Rachel Lomax, Sr., 4.10; Liseth Marquez, Sr., 4.08; Genesis Lugo, Jr., 3.92; Janet Nava, Sr., 3.68; Kendra Meza, Sr., 3.25; Monique Banks, Sr., 3.64.

TORREY PINES

Alexandra Campbell, Sr., 4.21; Elizabeth Campbell, Sr., 4.18; Katherine Dutchman, Jr., 4.00; Belinda Kraemer, Jr., 4.15; Kaila Leck, Jr., 3.96; Taylor McClure, Jr., 3.17; Kerra Schroeder, Sr., 3.47; Jennifer Woolway, Jr., 3.83; Marlee Zeman, Jr., 3.04.

TRI-CITY CHRISTIAN

Katie Carbajal, Sr., 3.34; Taylor Mehl, Sr., 3.97; Mira Ramirez, Jr., 4.70; Brittany Thompson, Jr., 3.63; Rachel Willis, Sr., 3.32.

UNIVERSITY CITY

Jessica Bracht, Jr., 4.25; Riley Choi, Jr., 3.83; Sarah Girdner, Sr., 3.53; Jodie Lisenbee, Jr., 4.13; McCall Olson, Jr., 4.21; Kim Piercy, Jr., 3.50; Delea Pursel, Sr., 3.00; Laurie Recksieck, Sr., 4.19; Corina Svacina, Jr., 3.83; Jeanine Walter, Jr., 4.00.

VALHALLA

Grace Clawson, Sr., 3.52; Lauren Farrington, Sr., 3.87; Carley Hart, Jr., 3.16; Allison Hendrickson, Sr., 4.52; Jovan Kouza, Jr., 3.00; Summer Martinez, Sr., 3.13; Nichole Miller, Jr., 4.24; Courtney Mullen, Jr., 4.58; Hayley O'Brien, Jr., 3.95.

VALLEY CENTER

Lindsey Bales, Jr., 3.04; Stephanie Becvar, Jr., 3.50; Megan Glennie, Jr., 3.67; Whitney James, Sr., 3.14; Nicole Miller, Jr., 3.75; Megan Nido, Jr., 3.79; Sarah Sharp, Sr., 3.63; Melanie Sourbeer, Sr., 4.03; Rebecca Stehly, Jr., 4.00; Malia Van Diepen, Jr., 3.58.

VISTA

Courtney Brennan, Jr., 3.30; Rebecca Kuchinsky, Jr., 3.16; Hannah Nothern, Jr., 3.50; Roxanne Phaffenberger, Jr., 3.33; Angelica Sprankles, Sr., 3.66; Angelica Visesio, Sr., 3.00.

WESTVIEW

Claire Cordua, Sr., 3.72; Lauren Gellerman, Sr., 3.96; Lea Leatherman, Jr., 3.52; Alanna Markey, Jr., 4.25; Giovanna Silberman, Sr., 3.43; Geena Restaino, Jr., 3.52; Taelor Snyder, Jr., 3.21; Emily Watkins, Sr., 3.37.

WEST HILLS

Jenna Basnight, Jr., 3.50; Stacy Bruns, Jr., 4.00; Ashley Callahan, Jr., 3.56; Kaitlyn Canty, Jr., 4.42; Alexandra Miller, Jr., 3.17; Sherika Miller, Jr., 3.16; Marilynn Naderhoff, Jr., 3.96; Vy Nguyen, Jr., 4.19; Natalie Pittman, Sr., 3.87; Brooke Plante, Sr., 3.03; Kelsey Shoberg, Sr., 4.69; Kristina Weiss, sr., 3.26.

Quarterback - Point Guard - Pitcher - Setter

2008-12-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

A Denver Broncos' wide receiver was discussing his quarterback, Jay Cutler, and said the following: "Any team, anyplace, in any sport, anytime, when one guy touches the ball the majority of the time, the majority of the time you win or lose off his play--basketball with the point guard, baseball with the pitcher."

Nicole Fawcett, a senior outside hitter for Penn State, was named 2008 player of the year in Women's College volleyball. She is a great player, and was aided by having great sets from one of the best setters (if not, THE best setter) in the country, Alisha Glass.

Nicole Fawcett pictured hitting.

Do not mistake me; I am not saying that Fawcett didn't deserve the National Player of the Year. I am simply drawing attention to the fact that without Glass's setting, Fawcett's impressive .4+ hitting percentage for the regular season might not have happened. As the saying goes, "The setter is the hardest working player on the court that recieves no glory."

Glass's setting is fast, strong, and accurate, which causes holes in the block for her outside hitters to utilize. She dumps when she needs to, forcing the opposing blockers to respect her when she is in the front row, which opens up even more of a hole in the opposition's block for her hitters. Even against the impressive block of Foluke Akinradewo, Stanford's starting middle blocker and the 2007 National Player of the Year, Glass was able to distribute the ball so well that the Penn State Nittany Lions swept the Stanford Cardinal in three in the 2008 National Championship Match, giving them their second national title in a row.

The 2008 Penn State team went absolutely undefeated throughout the entire season, and only lost two sets in the post-season.

Penn State's head coach, Russ Rose, has this to say about Glass. "As Alisha progressed last season and she got better and better, we as a team got better and better."

The fact of the matter is that putting the ball in the hands of your best player allows a team to get "better and better."

The sad truth, however, is that many seem to have blinders on and see only the mistakes made by that player and question why that player gets to play all the time when they make these mistakes. The fact of the matter is that because the player makes so few mistakes, it is easier to notice when they make an error.

Tim Tebow, for instance, is a college quaterback for the Florida Gators, and is hailed by many to be the best college player ever. But, in watching many of his games, one tends to notice when he loses yards more so than when he gains a lot. Why? He so often gains yards that his errors, few and far between, are more noticeable to fans.

The point is that even though every player will make mistakes, including excellent players, the best player on a team should play all the time.

Congratulations to the Penn State Nittany Lions for winning their second title in a row, as well as to the Stanford Cardinal for making it to their third national final appearance in a row.

How To Improve Your Volleyball Skills - Read Malcolm Gladwell

2008-11-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

Malcolm Gladwell wrote "Outliers" and examines "The Elements of Success."

Reduced down to the essence of the book and how it applies to volleyball, he says that talent and hard work lead to acheivement in any field.

Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Fails To Work Hard (and even when it does)

Gladwell has discovered the 10,000-Hour Rule. His studies suggest that in order to be a success in any area has little to do with talent and lots to do with hard work. Gladwell states it is simply repetition and practice, 10,000 hours of it--20 hours a week for 10 years.

The Wall Street Journal writes, "For elite Canadian hockey players, one unlikely yet vital trait is being born early in the year. Why should a disproportionate number of these athletes be born in the first half -- particularly the first quarter -- of the year? The answer seems to be that youth-hockey leagues determine eligibility by calendar year, so kids born on Jan. 1 play in the same league as kids born on Dec. 31. Not surprisingly, boys born in the early months of the year tend to be slightly bigger and more developmentally advanced than the others. As a result, they are often perceived as better athletes, receive extra coaching and are more likely to be selected for the elite leagues.

Mr. Gladwell explains that the hockey phenomenon is an example of "accumulative advantage," where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. He notes that sociologist Robert Merton dubbed the phenomenon "the Matthew Effect," after the biblical verse in the Gospel of Matthew: "For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. But from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." Success, in the hockey example, depends not only on the natural ability of the athletes but also on the idiosyncracy of the selection process used to identify talent."

Volleyball Refs Have To Pay Business Tax To Referee

2008-11-04T08:02:00.001-08:00

It's the law: Athletic officials need a license to call
By Nicole Vargas San Diego Union Tribune STAFF WRITER

November 4, 2008

Official business
Jeff Glass is an ordained minister who lives in the College Area. He pays his state and federal taxes each spring. For 16 years, he has claimed as income the amount he earns officiating high school volleyball matches.

Glass was stunned in July when he received a bill of more than $300 from the city of San Diego. He had no idea his side job required him to purchase a business license and that failing to do so came with a penalty.

“As a clergyperson in San Diego, I'm not trying to hide anything or do anything illegal,” Glass said. “There was no word that this might be a possibility or this was coming down the pipe, so in that sense, it felt unfair. We're really doing this as a service to the community. We can't make a living doing it.”

Businesses operating in San Diego are required to obtain a license. This includes home-based businesses and independent contractors. High school sports officials are considered independent contractors.

The initial cost of the license is $76, which includes a $34 annual tax certificate fee and other costs for zoning and processing.

That might not seem like a lot of money, but the idea of buying a license and paying a fine for not having one has caught some high school officials off guard.

Officials make anywhere from $46 (girls varsity water polo) to $72 (boys varsity lacrosse) a game. Some work varsity and junior varsity games in the same day. Their pay isn't likely to increase significantly any time soon.
“City schools, really all schools, are in a real bind,” said John Shacklett, a former football coach and athletic director who represents San Diego city schools to the High School Sports Officiating Coalition, which helps negotiate fees. “The officials are paid by ASB money, which is raised by the kids. Everybody's tight (financially).”

The license is designed to ensure that businesses operate in compliance with zoning requirements. Money raised filters into the city's general fund, which covers police and fire protection, street maintenance, libraries, parks and other city services.

San Diego's general fund has a budget of $1.2 billion. Last week, Mayor Jerry Sanders warned that some local libraries and recreation centers might have to be shuttered to help the city close a $43 million deficit.

In the past, enforcement of the business-license requirement was lax. That changed after the city began working with newly acquired records from the state Franchise Tax Board.

“Technically, if you are taking deductions for business, you need to have a business license in the jurisdiction in which you operate,” said Bill Harris, deputy press secretary for Sanders. “What we found out when we started looking at the data was there was a whole long list of people (in that situation).”

Since August 2007, 43,000 business owners or independent contractors living in San Diego have been sent letters similar to the one Glass received, Harris said, which include taxes and penalties dating back three years. More will go out in the future, he said, to city residents and others who live outside the city but do business in San Diego.

“The honest truth is the vast majority of those we contacted with these letters and in this program do in fact have a liability regarding business license taxes,” Harris said.

“There's been a lot of people who are very concerned about that, some people who feel their income is too low or a whole host of other things. But we are operating very, very carefully under both state law and our local push to make sure we're getting all the revenues we're supposed to be getting under the law.”

San Diego is not alone in requiring a business license. Seventeen of San Diego County's 18 incorporated cities require one. It's not necessary to purchase a business license in unincorporated areas.

Glass said he is concerned about needing a license in other cities around the county where he works as an official.

Glass, who served as the president of the local volleyball officials association for two years and later on the organization's board, said the requirement could hurt recruiting and might encourage cheating or an unwillingness to report income.

An informal e-mail poll of other associations revealed that a small number of officials in football, field hockey and basketball also have received letters.

“It's on the horizon,” said Glass, who appealed to the city and had one year of penalties and fees waived. “We as officials are supposed to do preventive officiating to prevent problems from happening rather than penalize the teams after the problem has occurred. So, yeah, I wish there could be more aggressive work on this issue from those higher up.”

Bill McLaughlin, assistant commissioner of the San Diego Section, said the officials are subject to the city's regulations as independent contractors.

“Each individual case is a tough one,” said Harris, who acknowledges the program has been controversial but has seen a high compliance rate. “The mayor himself is very, very sympathetic to all of those who have been affected by this. But at the same time, he is very, very clear that he's going to do whatever he can to make sure the revenues that are due to the city are in fact collected because the city needs to make sure our books are in order.”

Volleyball Referee Line Calling - In or Out

2008-10-29T11:27:00.001-07:00

Is that volleyball serve "Out Call" really out?

Read this article on tennis line calls and compare it to volleyball serving.

From Britain's Telegraph newspaper

They can be serious: tennis umpires make more wrong out calls than in calls
By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent

John McEnroe's famous "you cannot be serious" outburst at Wimbledon ranks as one of the most memorable - and maligned - moments in sporting history.

Tennis study shows John McEnroe was right about line calls - 40pc of the time
But it seems the tennis star may have had a point when he questioned an official who deemed his serve was out.

advertisementFor scientists studying the accuracy of refereeing calls in tennis have discovered that while errors are rare, line judges are 84 per cent more likely to wrongly deem a ball out than in.

The researchers believe the reason for the discrepancy is to do with the brain not being able to process images the eyes are sending it quickly enough.

They also think their findings could be useful in the modern game where professional tennis players are able to challenge umpires' decisions.

"Our perception lags behind reality," said David Whitney, the neuroscientist behind the research at University of California.

"The visual system has mechanisms that help alleviate this problem of living in the past, but these mechanisms are not perfect and occasionally result in visual illusions - like the misperception of tennis ball location we discovered."

Using modern technology such as Hawk Eye, his team, who published their findings in the journal Current Biology, studied more than 4,000 randomly selected Wimbledon tennis points, and uncovered 83 incorrect calls.

Of those, 70 of the errors were wrongly deemed as long.

Neuroscientists believe the reason behind the discrepancy are not the result of poor refereeing but rather, the errors are due to the way the human brain processes visual information about motion.

"The visual system is sluggish," said Dr Whitney. "It takes a hundred or more milliseconds for us to become aware of an image that strikes our retina."

He said that by the time we perceive an object like a tennis in one location, it will have already changed location.

In particular, he said people consistently mis-perceive moving objects as shifted in the direction of their motion, so that at any moment they appear to be farther along their path than they are.

"On a tennis court, a ball could physically bounce in the court but be called out, or a ball could physically bounce out of the court but be called in," Dr Whitney added.

The new findings suggest, however, that players could maximise their opportunity to challenge calls by focusing on balls that are called "out," since they are more likely to be incorrect.

The report also suggests that every shot in professional tennis should perhaps be reviewed by instant replay. "If that proves prohibitively time-consuming, the rules allowing players to challenge referee judgments should be scrutinised at least, in light of the current findings," he wrote.

"If all else fails," they added, "perhaps professional tennis venues should follow the French, and universalise the clay court," where skid marks on the clay reduce reliance on the referees' motion perception.

Quicksets with Kenzie: VB Advice

2008-06-18T16:42:00.002-07:00

Two men working as a team will produce more than three men working as individuals." –Charles McCormick

Each new season in volleyball presents a new set of problems to be conquered. Here are some problems some readers have sent in.

"I am a middle so I don't get to set much, so how do I improve my hands?" –Dallas, TX.

KA: Ask your coach if you can play some right side in practice once in a while. Playing right side will force you to set once in a while. However, if you want to improve a lot, play some two-man. This will force you to have to set because you'll be setting your partner a lot.

"I am so frustrated with my team… most of the girls are there because their parents made them or their friends are on the team. Only 2-3 girls really care about getting better. How do I get the other girls more serious?" –Seattle, WA

Well, really there is nothing you can to make them more serious. All you can do is worry about your game and work to get better as an individual and stick it out through the season. As long as you're improving, you should be satisfied.

"I have almost quit my team twice this year. Do you ever feel this way?" –Los Angeles, CA

I will admit that thoughts of quitting have crossed my mind on occasion, but even so, I stuck it out. Any situation you're going through will only make you stronger, and dealing with people is something that you'll carry with you beyond volleyball. Furthermore, quitting a team lets the rest of your team down, and even if it might not seem like it, they depend on you in one way or another.

"I work hard in practice and other girls slack off but still I am on the bench. What should I do?" –New York, NY

Know that you will go far with hard work, first off. I am surprised that your coach hasn't talked to you about this, as many coaches will explain why they are or are not playing a player. Thus, it is your job to talk to your coach and explain the situation to them. Even if you don't get to play, you should still keep working hard because your hard work will pay off in the long run.

"There is this one girl on my team.. She has a good serve and is a decent blocker, and can hit SUPER hard, but only when she's in a good mood. I need some advice for ways to fix these problems:
a) She's cocky.
b) She only has one swing. She can't tip or roll-shot.
c) She has really bad mood swings." –San Diego, CA

Well, you should know that only she can fix her problems. However, you can try to help her as even though she's a good player, she'll be a detriment to the team if she can't resolve her problems.

a) Go to the team captain and ask her to ask the girl to be more considerate of others. If that doesn't work, go to the coach. It might even take a team meeting to solve this.

b) Again, go to the coach. The coach won't want to play her if she only has one shot. As soon as the other teams figure this out, they'll dig her every time.

c) See "a." This needs to be resolves as early in the season as possible as a team is only as good as its worst (or moodiest) player.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets With Kenzie: Conditioning

2008-06-18T16:42:00.001-07:00

"Commit to be fit." --Author Unknown

Being in shape is imperative for any sport, especially volleyball. A game of quick, sharp turns and heroic leaps, volleyball is not for the weak at the higher levels. Here are some recommendations on staying in shape:

· Learn how to hit the floor and get up quickly. You never know if the ball is going to come back, and being able to pop up after falling is a great skill to have (especially in beach). Learn to roll or slide.

· Keep your core strong. Your abs assist with everything. Hitting, serving, setting, blocking—all require a strong core. You should be able to do about 8 minutes of abs without breaks.

· Stretch a lot. Being flexible directly correlates with speed and agility.

· Do balancing exercises. For example, hop down a basketball court on one leg, landing softly each time, and count how many times you lose your balance. Try to get the number down to as few as possible.

· Do short sprints. More so than long-distance, volleyball players need to be able to sprint very quickly over short distances. The most important thing to focus on is the take-off. You want to be able to go from stopped to all-out in the shortest amount of time possible.

· Stairs, stairs, stairs. Want to jump higher? Run up stairs. Jump on one leg up stairs. Do bear walks up stairs and backwards down stairs. Really, anything with stairs will help you increase your vertical.

· Look up exercises on the internet specific for your position. Setters and middle blockers should run speed ladders (though all positions should do some as well). Setters should also play mind games to keep them sharp. Liberos should sprint modified suicides, touching each line twice back and forth.

· And, do you want to get better? Play whenever, wherever you can. At the beach, open gyms, anywhere. The more you play, the better you'll get.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets With Kenzie: Funny Moments

2008-06-18T16:41:00.001-07:00

"Humor is mankind's greatest blessing." --Mark Twain

Over the years playing volleyball, I have seen quite a few things that are funny or just plain-out weird.

Six-Pack Yourself?? Once I was warming up my arms with a friend, and we were throwing the ball down on the ground with two hands. It was one of his first times playing, so he didn't exactly understand that throwing the ball in front of you was necessary. He threw the ball directly down and it came up and hit him in the face.

Six-Pack Yourself-- Again?? One of my hitters tipped the ball to the setter on the other side, who dug it up perfectly to the net. The left-handed opposite on the other side jumped to hit the ball but completely missed it and it hit her in the face. To her credit, it was late in the day and so she might have been tired… I hope.

Uh… what was that? In a recent tournament, my side was serving and all of the front line people had their hands up ready to block. One of the taller girls on my team, a middle, had her hand near the top of the tape. Our server served and the ball hit the middle's hand, rolled over the net, and we got an ace because the referee didn't see the ball hit the middle's hand. Moral of the story: keep your hands up, front row!

It's not hazing… This is a great trick to pull on freshmen when your coach isn't around. Have all of the freshmen line up along the net. Then tell them to race their hands up the net, weaving their arms in and out of the squares. After a few seconds, they will all be hopelessly tangled and you can pants all of them. But I didn't tell you that.

It's peanut butter-jelly time? When you're standing at the net with some other players, lean down and smell the net. Then remark that it smells faintly like peanut butter. With a little luck, the other players will lean down and when they do you can push the net at them and it will hit them in the face. I can't tell you how many times I've done this to underclassmen. But I didn't tell you that.

Low nets are super fun! At a party, there was a volleyball net set up but the net was sagging in the middle so it was extremely low. A lot of volleyball players were at the party so we decided to mess around a little bit. I set the 6'5 outside hitter from the boy's team a two (where the net was lowest). The other side had the boy's middle blocker, who obviously tried to block, but because the net was so low his whole face was over the net. My hitter hit the blocker in the face and then the ball bounced off his face into the neighbor's yard, onto the roof. The blocker had a volleyball imprint on his face for the rest of the night.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Volleyball Vocab

2008-06-18T16:39:00.002-07:00

"You've got to love what you do to really make things happen." --Philip Green

Understanding the game of volleyball is one of the hardest things one can do. Knowing the terms, though, helps people to comprehend the game. Here are some terms every volleyball player should know.

• Ace: A serve that results in a point, though there only be two touches on the other side to be a true ace.

• Assist: A player will set another player and consequently the hitter will get a kill. The assist goes to the setter.

• Attack Line: The ten-foot line.

• Back Row: The court area behind the attack line.

• Back Row Attack: An aggressive attack from behind the ten-foot line. The hitter can jump from behind the line and land in front of it, but cannot step on or over it before he or she jumps.

• Bump: A pass with your forearms.

• Cut Shot: An attack with a sharp angle trajectory. This is more commonly used on the beach.

• Dig: A defensive pass off a spike that results in a playable ball.

• Double Contact: The ball (usually off a setter's hands) comes off with spin on it. A ball with a clean contact will have no spin on it.

• Double Hit: A player contacts the ball twice in a row. However, this is legal indoor in one circumstance: if a blocker attempts to block a ball, he or she can then contact the ball again with two more contacts on their side of the court before the ball must be sent over. Beach volleyball does not permit this, and the blocker (off a touch) cannot play the ball a second time and the contact counts as the first contact.

• Down Ball: A ball sent over the net by an overhand swing without a jump.

• D.S.: Defensive specialist.

• Dump: The setter will send the ball over on the second contact.

• End-line: The service line.

• Float Serve: A type of serve that results in no spin on the ball.

• Foot Fault: Stepping on or over the service line before making contact with the ball in a serve.

• Free Ball: An easy ball coming over the net that usually results in a point for your team (hence the word "free").

• Front Row: The area in front of the ten-foot line.

• Joust: A simultaneous block by opposing players in which both try to force the ball to the other side of the net.

• Jump Float: A variation of the float serve and the jump serve.

• Jump serve: A type of serve in which the server tosses the ball into the air and then hits it with topspin, almost like a spike.

• Lift: Contacting the ball for too long.

• Over: Contacting the ball on the opponent's side of the net.

• Pancake: A dig with a flat hand on the floor, usually used as a last-ditch effort.

• Pepper: A drill involving two players hitting the ball back and forth in the pattern of pass, set, hit.

• Rally: A series of plays with the ball crossing the net.

• Roof: A block resulting in a point.

• Rotation: The order in which players must serve.

• Screening: One team blocks the passer's view of the server with their bodies.

• Seam: The area between two blockers or passers.

• Shag: To collect the balls and put them in a ball cart.

• Shank: A very bad pass usually resulting in a point for the other team.

• Side Out: The receiving team wins the point.

• Spike: An overhand attack.

• Sprawl: Performed after a dig when a normal dive and roll is not possible.

• Tip: A ball that is sent gently over the net by an attacker in an attempt to catch their opponents off-guard

• Tool: A ball that has been hit off the block and results in a point for the attacking team.

• Transition: In the middle of a play, when players tend to be mixed up running to their spots.

• Under: A fault in which a player goes under the net.

And who could forget some slang?

• Beast: A great player, male or female. ("Foluke Akinradewo is a beast hitter.")

• Butter: A perfect set. ("That set was butter!")

• Bagel: Beating an opponent where the opponent has 0 points. ("We bagelled that team in the fifth game 15-0!")

• Gator: A type of passing in which the passer makes puts their hands together like a gator's mouth. This term has been made popular by the hit spoof 'Danny Kinda.' ("Fear the gator!")

• Money: See 'butter.'

• Nectar: See 'butter.' This term has been made popular by the hit spoof 'Danny Kinda.' ("Feast on my nectar!")

• Nails: Great passing. ("Those passes were nails.")

• Six-pack: Hitting an opposing player in the face off a spike. Traditionally, the hitter would receive a six-pack of their favorite drink from the rest of the team for this feat. ("That dude got six-packed!")

• Up: Usually a great dig. ("Great up!")

• You're Easy: If a player gets a great dig, they might say "You're easy!" to the opposing hitter. However, be careful with this one as at a recent boys match at my high school, a DS said this to an opposing player, the player responded, and they both got yellow cards. ("You're easy!")

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Questions from Forums

2008-06-18T16:39:00.001-07:00

"Actions speak louder than coaches." --Unknown

There are tons of questions floating around out there in forums, so here are my answers to some of them.

Question: My opposite or right side can pass and hit from the right but is not the most reliable setter on the setter-out option. Should I then keep my setter virtually hidden during defense and utilize my right side in her place all of the time?

Answer: Being a setter myself, I'll be the first to admit that I'd rather break to the net than play defense. However, playing defense is imperative. I suggest one of the following:

1) Teach the right side how to set or bump set.

2) Have the setter pass the ball tight enough to the net so that the right side can hit on two.

3) Have the middle blocker set instead of the right side (provided he/she has decent hands). Doing this also splits the defense, putting pressure on the opposite middle blocker.

Question: I have read some books on what setters should take notice on during a match. Two important strategies I picked up from this book is (1) observe who the weakest or shortest blocker is and (2) set away from the blockers. I have problems understanding #2. Can someone help elaborate? Strategies and Advice would help too.

Answer: An experienced setter can see the block on the other side of the net. For example, if the opposite middle commits and jumps on your "1," set the outside or the right side attacker so that they can swing on only one block as opposed to two. If you're having problems seeing the other middle, try to be smart with your sets. Establish your middle blocker first and then run them on numerous plays to split the blockers, such as running a "3" and a "4" and then setting the "5." This play will cause the other middle to lean to the left, so you'll have a better chance of splitting the block when you set the "5."

Question: I am 5'2" and it is really hard for me to hit a good spike because I am too short. Is there any way I can improve my jump so that my spikes aren't horrible?

Answer: Doing plyometric exercises will help to increase your vertical jump. Personally, I worked with a speed coach for 7 months and increased my vertical by 7 inches, roughly an inch a month. Also, as a short attacker, learning a variety of shots is essential. In all honesty, though, you should focus on defense because if you want to play in college, you will most likely be playing either libero or defensive specialist.

Question: I play outside and opposite … One of the setters on my team sets outside too low sometimes, and too short and high, and sometimes it isn't clear who she is setting. I tried to talk to her about it, and she asked me if I knew how hard setting is. All I want is a more consistent set that will actually let me hit the ball instead of having to free-ball it over. What can I do?

Answer: This is somewhat of a touchy question. Being a setter, I will openly say that it is the most mentally (and often, barring the middle blocker, most physically) demanding position on the court. The inconsistent sets could be due to bad passing, or the setter might just not be good enough to be consistent. Whatever the case, confronting her/him about it will not solve the problem. Personally, I get annoyed when hitters tell me what was wrong with my set after a horrible pass. If the pass was a good one, though, and I messed it up, I take full blame. No matter the case, it always seems to be the setter's fault. Thus, try to be positive with your setter. Tell her/him when you get a good set with a "Nice set!" or "Great job!" Telling the setter it was a bad set will typically result in not getting set for the rest of the match.

Question: I've used a 2 step approach to hit quicks for my entire volleyball career; however recently a new coach of mine told me to use a 3 step. As a result, my timing has been screwed up. I've researched the proper quick set approach and all sources suggest the 2 step. Is my coach wrong, or should I continue using a 3 step?

Answer: The short answer is if you want to play, use the three-step. Do what your coach asks of you. The two-step is much faster, but typically one jumps higher and hits harder with the three-step. I recommend trying the three-step out this season. You never know.. you could end up loving it.

Question: I'm currently a libero on varsity. I want to get better and be great but I have when there's a hard hit and I try to set it because it's too high to pass. It usually just rolls off my fingers and goes backwards. What can I do?

Answer: Many people confuse setting with the defensive overhand dig. First off, a set (the second contact) must be clean. The overhand dig, on the other hand, can rotate. Trying to set a hit will not work unless you have strong hands or you are a setter. For non-setters, though, getting your feet behind the ball is imperative. Use your body to stop the momentum and turn it toward the target. Inexperienced players tend to try to rely solely on arm-strength, and on a good hard hitter, this will not work. Just get behind the ball and direct it to the target without trying to make it "pretty."

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Communicating after a dig

2008-06-18T16:38:00.001-07:00

"Anyone serious about playing indoor, you should play outdoor." -- Sean Scott AVP player

Here's another set of tips from my beach volleyball coach Stu Waite.

On the beach, communication is key. There are only two people on the court so there is much more ground to cover as opposed to indoor competition.

Here are some ways to communicate to convert digs and ups into points.

If you're still standing after you pick up a dig, yell "Set me!" This way, your partner knows to set you to the net so that you can take a good approach rather than freeing the ball over and giving the other team an opportunity to score.

Yell "I'm up!" if you get a dig, have fallen down, but can get up and hit. Again, you want to take a swing as many times as possible instead of freeing the ball over.

Yell "Right here!" if you get a ball up but fall and cannot hit. Your partner should set the ball to you now. This way, you can look at the defense and place the ball. Some ask why the setter shouldn't just send it over. The answer is because:
-the setter will be out of position and her partner will still be on the ground
-the team has more time to recover during three contacts as opposed to two
-the digger will be able to see the defense better

Lastly, if you dig a ball, fall, and can't get up in time to get the ball over, yell "Over!" Really, though, this is a last-ditch method and should be rarely done.

A special shout-out to Justine Wong-Orantes, a phenomenal beach player. She and her partner Sara Hughes won the 12U National Beach Volleyball Title in 2007! Good luck to her for this season of beach volleyball. Justine also got her AA rating this year with Los Alamitos freshman superstar Jane Croson! Go girls!

Good luck in the upcoming beach season!!!

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Tips for Beach Volleyball

2008-06-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

"People think we have coasted the last four years. We fought, we had a lot of battles. ... We've always had to battle." --Kerri Walsh, Olympic Gold Medalist

Summer is coming soon and with it warmer temperatures. Beach volleyball season is approaching.

The following is a list of tips suggested my beach volleyball coach Stu Waite.

Only put the ball over on two if: (a) there is no other choice, (b) your partner cannot get up in time to hit and tells you to put the ball over, (c) there is a big opening, or (d) the first pass is right on the net and you can hit.

Don't sway while waiting for the serve.

Get the sand off the ball during warm-up hitting.

Play deep and think short.

Verbally communicate all the time (i.e. "I've got middle," "nice set," "one more point and switch").

Get low on defense.

Don't miss two serves in a row.

Scout other teams and serve to the one who can't hit or can't pass.

Check the wind. If you have a choice, take the wind in your face rather than the serve.

Land on two feet after a hit..

Be sure all the players are ready before a serve.

In a match, you get two one-minute time outs. Use them when you're five points behind or the other team is catching up.

Check the court for rocks, glass, and shells before the game.

Error long instead of short on serves.

Use a variety of serves (i.e. sky ball, hard overhand, float, jump).

Keep your passes and sets lower in windy conditions.

Good luck in the upcoming beach season!!!

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Beach Volleyball Tips

2008-06-18T16:36:00.002-07:00

"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication just like any pro sport. Especially for beach volleyball you don't have to be tall or as fast as other sports. You just have to have the skills." -- Misty May

Spring break is here and summer is fast approaching. Here are some tips on beach volleyball focused on defensive playing.

Blocking
−Frequently, the blocker will choose not to block and assume a defensive position or "pull" off the net.

−The blocker must always tell his or her defender what he or she is taking (blocking angle, blocking line, or blocking the ball).

−The rule of thumb for blocking is "jump late but quick."

−When not to block: your partner serves a player with not a very strong offensive game, the passer makes a bad pass, or the set is off the net.

Digging
−The best blockers on the beach get beat 75-80% of the time, so be ready to pass a ball.

- Play deep and think short. You can't get a ball that goes over your head but you can dive forward to get a short ball up.

-If the blocker is taking line, start in the line and then move into the angle to fool the hitter. Vice versa for a blocker taking angle.

Playing in the Wind
-If given the opportunity, take the side with the wind blowing into your face. Your serves will move more in the wind and your opponents' serves have a better chance of going long.

−Keep the sets low so that the wind won't move them too far.

−Hitters should be able to swing away with the wind in your face as the wind will help to make the ball drop.

-With the wind at your back, short shots will tend to be even shorter, so be ready to dive.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: FAQs

2008-06-18T16:36:00.001-07:00

"One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." --Chinese proverb

I've gotten asked quite a few questions over the years. Here are some FAQs, with my answers. I don't claim to be 100% correct on any of these, by any means, so leave room for interpretation.

1. "When do you use a one-handed set?"
Personally, I only use a one-handed set when the ball is going to be an overpass. Typically, I'll set the middle because referees will often call you on a lift, so a quick flick to the middle is better than trying to shove the four. It's best to avoid this set if at all possible because of the lift call (though I have been called on a double-contact when I used a one-handed set).

2. "What are volleyball stereotypes?"
There are quite a few of these. For example: middles are tall and skinny, liberos are short, setters are quick, outsides jump high. I've also heard that men don't run slides. Come to think of it, I've never seen a guy run a slide.

3. "How do you pronounce 'libero'?"
I've heard "lee-barrow" and "lee-burr-oh." I think it's just one of those "you say tomato, I say tomato" things. Really, it doesn't matter as long as they can pass.

4. "If a player is receiving a serve, standing off the net, can he jump and hit the ball back over the net two-handed (because it looks like a block, but it's off the net). Is that legal?"
No player at any time can "block" a serve. However, setting the ball back over on the first contact is legal. Attacking the ball off a serve within an arm's length of the net is also illegal.

5. "Do you respect your opponents?"
Of course. Respect is a big issue in any sport. This is not to say that I am not competitive and will not argue against them, because I will to the death if it means my team will get a point. However, I always respect all opponents, because I would want the same from them.

6. "Is volleyball more competitive now with rally point scoring (RPS)?"
Because I didn't play during sideout scoring, I can't really say. I know, though, that with RPS there is more emphasis on every point. There is more competition nowadays because more people are playing as the sport's popularity continues to increase.

7. "I have been playing volleyball for 4 years, but just recently I noticed that people wear ankle braces and I was wondering why (I mean, obviously for ankle support, but why in volleyball?) and do they actually help?"
I wear ankle braces (Active Ankles) because I have weak ligaments and they are my ligaments, to an extent. Many wear ankle braces because they have sustained an injury at some point in time, or in hopes of preventing an injury. I recommend them highly.

And just for kicks, check out Leonel Marshall, and outside hitter for the Cuban national team. He has a 50" vertical.
Leonel Marshall

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: The Lighter side of VB

2008-06-18T16:35:00.001-07:00

"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road." --Henry Ward Beecher

Sometimes one just has to take a step back from all of the
seriousness of volleyball and relax. Here are some funny videos pertaining to volleyball.

This is why paying attention when on defense is a good idea. Here are some facials (aka six packs) that are pretty funny.

Six Pack 1

Six Pack 2

Six Pack 3

Here is a guy who is completely joking, but so absolutely hilarious.

What not to do when playing volleyball, folks.

Danny Kinda

Here is his "recruiting" video.

Danny Kinda Recruiting Video

He is with the US National Team here. Some plays are so horribly bad they're hilarious.

Danny Kinda and Team USA

Danny Kinda

Sorry to butt into your blog Kenz but you missed the you-tube of all you-tube videos….
TWO words JASON RING and two more words 45 plus inch vertical................... JASON RING

Some injuries that will make you cringe.

Ouch 1

Ouch 2

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Training Misconceptions

2008-06-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

"It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained." --Elizabeth II

There are many misconceptions about volleyball training. The following comes from John Boehle, at CATZ professional training program.

Training Misconceptions for Volleyball Players

False: Girls should not lift weights.
Playing competitive volleyball at the club or high school level requires equal attention to both skill development and athletic development. You are asking your body to perform at a high level so you need to be physically prepared.

False: If I lift weights I will look like a boy.
Girls fear that they will gain weight, start looking like a gladiator, or hurt themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, increasing your strength is the key to preventing many common volleyball injuries. Your ability to generate power, change direction and recover has a direct effect on your volleyball performance.

False: I will get in shape just from practice and scrimmages.
True, you will increase your conditioning, but most coaches don't practice for 5 game matches or focus on exercises designed to prevent injury. Coaches are good at skill development, strategy and mechanics. Strength training will prepare your body to perform at higher levels and acquire more advanced skills.

False: More practice is better.
Players that are practicing 3 days a week and playing matches on the weekends need to make sure they are getting adequate recovery time. Give yourself at least 1 day off a week where you do no physical activity. This will ensure that your body will remain strong enough to last the entire season.

False: I need to add 5 inches to my vertical jump.
To be a complete volleyball player you need to do much more than jump. You need to get to a driven ball, make a good pass, set up for an approach and finally… jump to hit the ball. Focusing on exercises that increase speed, power and strength will add inches to your vertical as well as maximizing on-court performance.

For volleyball specific programs talk to your coach or visit www.catzsports.com . CATZ is the strength and conditioning provider to the Men's US National Team as well as AVP Pros Misty May, April Ross, Jen Boss and Whitney Pavlik.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Ways to Improve

2008-06-18T16:33:00.002-07:00

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence."
--Calvin Coolidge

So you didn't make a club team. Well, all isn't lost. And even if you
did make a team, here are some tips to help you improve your game
when you're off the court.

1) Set a volleyball against a wall, always aiming at the same spot on the wall. Focus on the follow-though and try to set consistently at many different spots (high, low, left, right, etc.) to improve ball control. The same goes for passing.

2) Set a ball in the air over and over at the same height. This improves ball control. To work on wrist strength, see my article on using a weighted ball while you watch your favorite show.
Quicksets with Kenzie: A sand filled volleyball

3) Watch game film, anywhere you can. Watch your games, beach volleyball, college, and Olympics volleyball on TV. Record the games so you can watch good plays in slow motion while focusing on your position.

4) Find small pockets of time to simply bump. I used to carpool with another family. The other family drove mornings, so I would bump a volleyball for 15 minutes every morning with my dad while waiting for a ride.

5) Visualize. Ask any great player or great coach; they'll tell you to visualize. Check out a mental imagery article with Kerri Walsh...Mental Imagery

6) Buy volleyball training DVDs and watch those. Be sure you have a volleyball handy and a bit of room to practice the new techniques.

7) Check out volleyball devices and tools to help with training. There are some devices you can buy, for example, an elastic cord to that you attach to a volleyball, and you hit the ball without having to chase it. This mostly works on your snap.

Here are just some suggestions, but if you do these in the off-season, you'll become a much better player, even if you aren't playing on a club team.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Advice from Coaches

2008-06-18T16:33:00.001-07:00

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." --John Wooden.

Throughout the years, I've had many coaches, each of which has their own philosophy. Some were good, some were bad, but I've learned at least one thing from all of them.

Ten things I've learned, in no particular order:

1. Hustle all the time. Hustle is something that coaches love to see, no matter if it's something as simple as running to get a drink or sprawling out to get a ball on match point.

2. John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. I know I've mentioned this in my previous blogs, but it is important enough to stress again. Having natural skill doesn't make someone a great player. A great player must have all components (enthusiasm, intentness, etc.).

3. Never give up on a ball until you hear a whistle. Referees aren't perfect (I know many of you can attest to that), so never stop playing until you hear the whistle.

4. Be versatile. Although my primary position is a setter, I've also been an outside hitter, a middle blocker, a back-row specialist, and opposite. If you aren't getting the playing time you think you deserve, then try a different position.

5. Do a good job when it's your turn to referee. When most girls have to do book, flip, lines, or whatever else, they do a bad job. Then, when they get in their game, they complain that their line judges are not paying attention. In short, do the job as well as you would want your own team to have during your match. Another perk of doing a good job is that the referee respects you and your calls, and most of the time will be a little more lenient on you during your game (in my personal experience).

6. Don't talk big. Don't make yourself out to be a lion when you're actually an ant. Be honest about your skills, because they're out for the whole crowd to see during a game.

7. It isn't bragging if it's the truth. Don't be shy about telling college coaches about your achievements.

8. Don't back talk to your coach. It's the highway to getting yourself a permanent seat on the bench. Even if you don't agree, simply nod your head and say, "Okay."

9. Don't bring your boyfriend/girlfriend to tournaments. I am not saying that they can't come and watch, but they should never be above your team between matches. On tournament day, you need as few distractions as possible.

10. Do the work. If your coach tells you to do twenty push-ups, do it. Most players will do as few as half of what the coach asks. If you want to be a good player, you'll do twenty. If you want to be a great player, you'll do twenty-five.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Being a Leader

2008-06-18T16:30:00.002-07:00

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." --John Maxwell.

Some people think being a leader is easy. They think all it involves is telling people what to do and when to do it. The fact of the matter is that being a leader isn't a fun job, especially on the volleyball court.

I stepped out onto the court as the starting varsity setter my sophomore year in high school. I had other leaders around me, some I could learn from, and some I could learn what not to do. Even with this year of experience, I cannot say that I was fully prepared to lead when my junior year rolled around.

Looking at a leader from the outside, either as a follower or as a parent, is nothing close to what it is actually to have the full experience. The weight of every single game rests on your shoulders, and especially so if you're the setter. (The general rule of thumb is that if a game is lost, it's the setter's fault. If it's won, it's the hitter's actions.) Thus, being a setter in a leadership position puts a huge target on one's back for criticisms from not only teammates but also parents.

To the parents, I say only that you should not get involved unless the case involves physical abuse. Beyond that, your child has decided to become a follower in that they have done what the leader has asked of them. There is nothing you should do to interfere with the leader or their methods. A leader's job is hard enough as it is without meddling parents who, most of the time, don't know the complete situation. There are always two halves to the truth: one person's side of the story, and the other side of the story.

To the followers on the court, try your best not to criticize the leader openly in public. This will usually result in some sort of mutiny, which can only bring the team down in the long run. Also, your job is to be a follower and to do what is asked of you, even if you don't agree with it. If you are so inclined, you can do the following things listed below in order to become the leader, and then to have things done your way. A lot of times, there are numerous leaders on a court. Also, being caught in between a follower and a leader is a detriment as well.

The Leader's Job:
• be respectful
• be firm
• tell people when they aren't doing well as well as when they are
• deal with the officials
• keep the team calm when necessary; fire the team up when necessary
• deal with any problems between teammates in a quick manner
• be the one to do the unwanted jobs (shagging balls, cleaning up water bottles, etc.)
• be loud on the court
• know everyone's rotation at all times
• to talk with the coach when problems arise
• be honest and direct
• be focused, serious, and intense

Types of Leaders:
• physical leaders: those who lead by example
• emotional leaders: those who can pump a team up and be supportive teammate
• informal leaders: those who are dependable players; confident, steady, consistent players
• reluctant leaders: those who lead because they have to

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Deciding on college

2008-06-18T16:30:00.001-07:00

"Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work." --H. L. Hunt

Deciding on a college can be very difficult - it was for me.

Some high school players are so good that they can go to any college they desire. Others (most) are just thankful to get an inquiry from a volleyball school.

Some players have the goal to get to the best and highest ranked athletic program they can, while others try and leverage their athletic talents into the best academic school possible.

Here is how my decision-making process went...

Ever since I was very young, during grade school, my parents always told me that I can do whatever I want in life, be an artist, a businesswoman, a surfer or whatever, after I complete graduate school. I was told that so much, and the rationale behind it, so often that it makes sense and that is what I am going to do.

I was good enough to be named all-league and all CIF Division ||| in San Diego County as a junior. Then as a senior I was all-league and all CIF Division ||| again, plus I made two first team all CIF all San Diego County teams as well. I attracted about 50-60 inquiries from the end of my junior year until now.

There were contacts from Division I, II and III as well as from NAIA volleyball programs. While I would consider a bigger "state" school, I really thought I would feel more comfortable at a smaller school with less than 5,000 students. I just wanted to have that intimate setting for my college experience.

I had quite a few small college coaches from the East Coast and Midwest that saw my online volleyball videos on my http://www.Kenzilla.com site. Some wrote and told me, solely based on the video, that they would a) offer me a scholarship and/or b) that I would start immediately as their setter. It was all very flattering, but, for me, it was just too far away from home, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to deal with the cold weather. (I know that is a bit wimpy, but winters here are 60 degrees and summers are 70 degrees.)

Growing up in a beach community of North San Diego County is hard to beat. I confirmed that when I played at the JO tournaments in Atlanta in the summer and then again when I was on the Southern California Volleyball Association's High Performance team playing a week in Florida last summer. I also visited my grandparents near Seattle,
plus other family vacations. I know it is not very weather tolerant to say that I wanted to stay and play in Southern California - but I did.

I wasn't good enough for a USC, UCLA or a Pepperdine school, so I focused on the many high quality academic DIII schools in SoCal. These schools also required SAT scores in the 2000+ range, so not only did you have to be a good enough player to be considered, but you had to pass through the admissions office as well. Definitely an added degree of difficulty.

I ended up choosing Pomona-Pitzer. Essentially there are five colleges on one campus (Claremont, Scripps, Harvey Mudd, Pomona and Pitzer) so it had a number of positive factors for me. I had visited the Pomona-Pitzer school and was impressed with the small classes of the 10-15 students, no teaching assistants, the facilities and the fact it was just 70 miles from my home in San Diego. I applied for
early decision and was accepted in December. I have had several club coaches say that I should have gone DI and left California to do so, but, for me, I just wasn't ready.

I know that for graduate school I will go a different part of the country for that experience, so I can always explore those options later.

Go somewhere where you'll be happy. Volleyball is only one season, and you need to make sure you'll be happy with where you decide to go.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Quicksets with Kenzie: Team Building

2008-06-18T16:29:00.001-07:00

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." --Michael Jordan

Teamwork comes from having a cohesive team, and in any team sport, getting along with those on your team is essential. On my club team yesterday, we had an entire practice dedicated to team-building.

The first activity involved the team sitting around in a circle. There was a small bowl of M&M's in the center, and everyone took as many as they thought they "needed." When each teammate had their candies in hand, for as many M&M's they had, they said something about themselves not related to the sport.

For example, one of my teammates said that she loved butterflies and that her room was coated with posters and paintings of them. Another teammate said that she and her grandmother were born exactly 50 years apart.

The second activity involved each member getting a blank paper volleyball. In the middle panel, you write your name. On the top panel, you write what you as an individual can bring to the team. On the bottom panel, you write what your role on the team will be.

For example, on the top of my ball, I wrote loyalty and integrity, because I will be loyal to my team and I will hold to my word. On the bottom panel, I wrote down intensity, because I am always in the game and I play to win. Once everyone had written down everything, everyone presented their ball to the team and then taped it onto a poster with the team name on it.

The third activity was writing down some key things that made a good team on the poster. Our team had determination, pride, and passion.

Lastly, on the back of the poster, the teams wrote down some things that would absolutely not be tolerated. Our team had tardiness, disrespect, and cliques.

The poster then serves as a metaphor for success. In order to have a successful season, any given team must do all that there is on the front and let the things on the back stay out of the way.

I'm not saying that without teamwork you won't win games. Many decent teams have very little teamwork. But the great teams have everything from talent to teamwork.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: Peppler on recruiting

2008-06-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

"My advice to anyone is to let your life live you. You don't have to rule yourself with an iron hand, because if you let it, the divine plan of your life will direct you. Anything is possible if you can think it clearly and hold it passionately.

Anything unrealized is not important; what is important is the quality of each step that you take along the way. Everything you do is important, even if it doesn't seem so at the time. If you apply your full attention, everything will always be just as it should be." --Mary Jo Peppler

For any of you who don't know, Mary Jo Peppler is the original Misty May of volleyball. She is a four-time USVBA National Open Tournament Most Valuable Player. She won a gold medal on the 1967 U.S. Pan American Team, and was also named to All Tournament Team. At the 1970 World Championships, she was named the tournament's most outstanding player. The list goes on and on.

So what does Peppler have to say about college recruiting?

1. Be sure you are registered with www.ncaaclearinghouse.net http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/

2. Contact a minimum of 100 colleges, preferably around 200-300. Contact a couple each day, or set aside one day a week. Tell them that you are interested in their school. Tell them where you go to high school and where you play club.

Let them know your academic goals, and give them a current GPA, as well as ACT or SAT scores (or, if you haven't taken them, let them know when you will have them). Send them your SCVA schedule or reference it at http://www.scva.org . Let them know what qualifiers your team will attend.

3. Respond to any colleges promptly. Unless they already have you on your radar, they will probably give you a generic response and ask you to fill out some forms so that they have information on you and have a way to contact you. Respond to them even if you don't think you are interested, because you truly never know.

4. Be sure your responses are organized in a file or notebook and sort them in some type of order of preference. You probably don't know your exact preferences, so keep your options open. You should be sorting your schools on a regular basis, because your priorities will keep changing. Re-evaluate your schools and re-contact the ones you even have mild interest in.

5. Take time to make 'Unofficial Visits' to schools you might be interested in. Look in this area for schools you may not have considered or in any area that you travel. An 'unofficial visit' is a visit that you arrange with a college volleyball coach in which you pay all the expenses.

Don't just visit a school without contacting the school. If the volleyball program is on break, often the school will be able to arrange for someone to host you and show you around the school, point out its merits and answer questions for you. Call the coach at a school and tell them that you are interested in their school and would like to make an 'unofficial visit' on a certain date. Ask them if they would be available to host you.

When you arrange a day to visit, the volleyball staff will give you a tour, tell you about their program, possibly introduce you to their team (if they are in season or practicing) and arrange for a meeting with an academic counselor.

Each visit is different because each college experience is different. Visiting is the best way to sort through what criteria will be important to you as you narrow down the options and get closer to making a decision. Visit Division I, II, III and NAIA schools so you can see what the differences are and which you would prefer.

Note: You will be allowed up to 5 'Official Visits' during your Senior year. An 'Official Visit' is a visit that a college coach offers to you and the college pays all your expenses. Official Visits last 48 hours. Official Visits are usually offered to players who are on the verge of being or who have been offered a scholarship.

To anyone wanting to play in college, I highly recommend following Peppler's suggestions. It seems like a lot of work, but it will pay off for the whole of your college career.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries

Quicksets with Kenzie: You Know You Play...

2008-06-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

"You know you play volleyball when..." --Any volleyball player.

This is a compilation of various sources regarding when you know you play volleyball.

YOU KNOW YOU PLAY VOLLEYBALL WHEN…
1. You think everyone should have to wear spandex.
2. When someone says "shag" the first thing you think of is volleyball.
3. When you're taller than most of your class. Or when you're not, and people wonder how you play volleyball when you're not 6'11.
4. When the words "outside," "middle," and "right/weak side" mean the world to you.
5. When you realize your thighs no longer fit in your jeans.
6. You could probably beat anyone in wall sits.
7. When a ball is hurled at your face, you set, pass, or hit it. Or you flail your arms spastically.
8. You know what a libero is/does.
9. You have more than one pair of knee pads.
10. You get angry when someone says volleyball isn't a hard sport.
11. You own at least one shirt that has the word "volleyball," "hit," or a drawing of a volleyball on it.
12. You know how to tape yourself.
13. You know why ankle braces are a necessity.
14. You have injuries on your knees, elbows, ankles, neck, shoulders, back, head, etc.
15. You've perfected drawing a volleyball.
16. You've tried setting into a basketball hoop. And it's much easier than actually shooting a ball into a basketball hoop.
17. You know a pancake is more than just something to eat.
18. You think TV should show more volleyball than any other sport.
19. You've been asked why volleyball players wear spandex.
20. You know your vertical, and always hope somehow it gets higher.
21. You've had at least one ball hit you in the face.
22. You've been to volleyball camp. Many times.
23. You know who Misty May is.
24. You know a scoreboard like the back of your hand.
25. You have to admit that you like those "ACE!" cheers.
26. Whenever you see a volleyball, you have to touch it.
27. At one point in your life, you've had knee problems.
28. You know what those "other" lines in the gym are.
29. You don't dribble balls, you smack them with the palm of your hand.
30. You own a pair of "volleyball" shoes.
31. You know what a 4-2, a 6-2, and a 5-1 is.
32. You have muscles where you didn't think muscles existed.
33. You're not afraid of falling.
34. You've seen that movie "All You've Got" and wanted to write the director on how bad it was.
35. You see tall people and think "she/he would make a great volleyball player."
36. When you know to shave your armpits before a game... and gross out when the blockers on the other team forgot to.
37. You waste a lot of gas driving to tournaments.
38. You are/have been in a volleyball club.
39. You can't actually run... but you sure as hell can sprint.
40. You laugh when you see other people trying to play volleyball.
41. You get really upset when someone kicks a volleyball.
42. Volleyball is more important than anything else that you have to do.
43. You have permanent floor-burn marks.
44. You've wanted to smack your coach at one point. AND/OR your coach has wanted to smack you at some point.
45. Two words: GET LOW.
46. You know what "sideout" means. Or you don't, but you yell it anyway.
47. You think it's normal to have balls deliberately hit at your face.
48. When going up for a hit, you've at least completely missed the ball once in your life.
49. You've run into a wall, pole, person, bleachers... many times.
50. Gym (or P.E.) volleyball isn't volleyball. You end up yelling at everyone because they're doing it wrong.
51. You can put your hand up to a volleyball net and tell someone how close it is to the height it's supposed to be.
52. You've attempted passing or setting a basketball and failed miserably.
53. Your knees smell after a game.
54. When spandex/leggings became fashionable, you were like, "I've been wearing those all along."
55. There wonder why there's an NBA, the NFL, the NHL, but no NVL?
56. There's always that one person on the opposing team that you want to slap across the face.
57. You hate that clips and metal hair accessories are banned. Wearing an oh-so-fashionable stretchy headband is not fun. And they slip off in the middle of intense rallies.
58. You publicly pick wedgies.
59. You never just "get up." You roll.
60. You can easily recall the noise of skin sliding against a recently waxed court. And it still makes you cringe.
61. You've caught the ball in the middle of an intense rally because you thought the referee blew his whistle... only to realize that the whistle came from the court next to you.
62. You try to intimidate the other team during warm-ups.
63. You've spent at least half of an entire game pulling down your teeny tiny spandex because they ride up so much.
64. You use pre-wrap (in a variety of colors) more on your hair than your injuries.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Kenzie Aries