By Christine Jinbo
 
This week ESPN RISE Volleyball recognizes senior Rachel Williams of No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) as the player spotlight of the week for her outstanding performance at the Durango Classic (Las Vegas, Nev.) where she received the MVP award.

Awards for outstanding performances are nothing new for the Stanford bound athlete, who received honors from Archbishop Mitty, various tournaments, the West Catholic League, CIF Central Coast Section, CIF State and USA Volleyball Junior Olympics. She takes it all in stride and puts the team first.
 
"It was rewarding, for the hard work we do,” Williams said of winning the 2009 Durango Classic.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Williams is a force at the net for Archbishop Mitty

Williams learned the sport at age seven from her parents who played intramural volleyball and by nine began playing club volleyball.

"My mom thought I was tall for my age and I should start [playing].”

Goal-oriented and hardworking, Williams knew she wanted to play volleyball in college and she decided on a PAC-10 school.  The schools that made the top her list were University of Washington and UCLA, though Stanford interested her also. She strove to maintain a high grade point average to meet Stanford's rigorous academic requirements.

"I worked hard to keep my grades up so I could apply to Stanford."  She added, "When I got into Stanford, I revisited UW and Stanford and decided that Stanford was the best place for me."

For the girl who has achieved so much and could be satisfied with a full ride to Stanford University, her advice to young athletes who want play at the next level, 

"Never stay satisfied."

The consummate hard worker, she went on, "Continue working to improve every aspect of your game. Plan your dreams." 

Read more about Rachel Williams from ESPN RISE Magazine writer, Mike Grimala.

Get to know Rachel Williams
Player Profile/Interview

Rachel Williams (Los Gatos, Calif.)
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
GPA: 3.95
Year: Senior
Position: OH
Height: 5'11"  
Club Team: Vision 18 Gold
Committed: Stanford

 
Williams Top Threes:

Songs:
1. Run this town, JayZ, et al
2. Empire State of Mind, JayZ & Alicia Keys
3. Lollipop,  Lil' Wayne

TV shows:
1. Grey's anatomy
2. 24
3. So you think you can dance

Movies:
1. Transformers
2. Ironman
3. Remember the titans

Websites:
1. Facebook
2. Webgrade (it's our online gradebook at school)
3. Google mail

ESPN RISE started the sentences, Williams completed them.  

I play best when... I'm focused and it's a big game.
If I were coaching Rachel Williams...  I would remind her about little details.
The best thing about volleyball is... running perfect serve receive plays.
Something most people don't know about me... is I hate feet.
The topical issue that most interests me in the world... is poverty.
If I could have one superhuman power... it would be flight.
One day I will... play in the Olympics.

 
We make Williams choose:    
Hitting or Digging - Hitting
American Idol or Survivor - So you think you can dance
Snow or Sun - Sun
Fast Food or Carrots and Celery - In n' Out
Surfing or Snowboarding - Surfing
Texting or Talking - Talking
Movies or Video Games – Both         
Facebook or MySpace – Facebook

 

 

By Christine Jinbo

The Week 3 girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking is here, previous rank in parenthesis. Click the FAB 50 link for more information.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 3 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 28.

Rank School City, State Record  
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif. 16-0
2 (2) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill. 13-0
3 (3) Reagan San Antonio, Texas 34-1
4 (5) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind. 26-0
5 (NR) Newport Harbor Newport Beach, Calif 11-4
6 (6) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 33-3
7 (8) St. Francis Wheaton 17-0
8 (7) Assumption Louisville, Ky. 21-3
9 (20) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 6-4
10 (12) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas 25-4
11 (14) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio 13-0
12 (NR) Yorktown Yorktown, Ind. 23-0
13 (18) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif. 10-3
14 (13) Wilson Long Beach, Calif. 7-2
15 (22) Benet Lisle, Ill. 15-2
16 (21) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla. 13-2
17 (33) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas 27-3
18 (19) St. Ursula Academy Toledo, Ohio 12-1
19 (10) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif. 15-4
20 (9) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky. 13-6
21 (28) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif. 7-4
22 (25) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C. 13-1
23 (15) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif. 8-1
24 (24) Canyon Randall Amarillo, Texas 26-1
25 (36) Hinsdale Central Hinsdale, Ill. 15-2
26 (23) St. James  Lenexa, Kan. 15-1
27 (35) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn. 17-0
28 (NR) Redlands East Valley  Redlands, Calif. 7-2
29 (29) Plant  Tampa, Fla. 11-0
30 (30) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans. 14-3
31 (31) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio 14-0
32 (NR) El Dorado  Placentia, Calif. 9-6
33 (32) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind. 14-1
34 (26) Evenston Evanston, Ill.  15-2
35 (16) The Woodlands Woodlands, Texas 29-5
36 (37) Rose Greenville, N.C. 13-0
37 (17) Santa Barbara  Santa Barbara, Calif. 7-2
38 (27) Chaska Minn. 12-1
39 (NR) Lyons (LaGrange, Ill.) LaGrange, Ill.  19-1
40 (NR) Redondo Union Redondo Beach, Calif. 11-3
41 (39) Sandburg Orland Park, Ill. 16-2
42 (NR) St. Thomas Aquinas  Overland Park, Kans. 19-3
43 (40) Allen Allen, Texas 27-3
44 (11) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.  19-2
45 (43) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i  13-0
46 (4) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif. 8-2
47 (41) Marist Chicago, Ill. 13-3
48 (NR) Washburn Rural  Topeka, Kan. 15-2
49 (45) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio 11-0
50 (47) Westlake Austin, Texas
 

By Christine Jinbo

Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) High School captured its second consecutive Beach Cities Invitational tournament title this past weekend.  While an array of states gathered in the desert for the Durango Classic, four of the ten CIF Sections, four states and 48 teams made up the Beach Cities field.  The format consisted of eight pools of four teams, which played two rally-scored games to 25, with third (deciding) games rally-scored to 15.

The Lancers defeated the Washington State Champion, Mead (Spokane) in three games to advance to the final round. It looked to be a repeat of the 2008 final with Orange Lutheran and Bishop's (La Jolla, Calif.) until Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Ariz.) topped the Knights in the semifinals en route to a finals appearance.

Lutheran continued its winning ways as it bested Arizona's Sunnyslope in straight sets, despite the Vikings late push in the second set.  Junior outside hitter Courtney Castle and junior setter Hannah Tedrow were selected for the All Tournament team and junior outside hitter Shaquilla "Shaq” Torres received the tournament MVP.

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE Volleyball analyzed the pools last week; now see which teams made it out of pool play.  The Gold Bracket was determined by a "knock out" round, which pitted teams that placed first in their pools against teams that placed second.  The Gold Bracket had an even distribution of second and first place teams advance, four and four.  Come back to see the knock out round broken down match by match.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	After early season losses, Newport Harbor came on strong and made the Durango Gold Bracket Finals.

Pool 1:  
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 2. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 3. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), 4. Tri-City Christian (Vista, Calif.)

First: Archbishop Mitty 
Second: Harvard Westlake 

Mitty was the clear favorite in this pool and it showed as the Monarchs dispatched Clovis West and Tri-City Christian in straight sets.  Harvard Westlake proved to be a bigger challenge as the Monarchs dropped the first set 27-29, but bounced back for a 25-21, 25-15 victory.

Although Clovis West was seeded second in the pool, it had its hands full with third seed, Harvard Westlake.  Harvard Westlake rolled through Tri-City Christian then dropped the first set of their last match to Clovis West.  The Wolverines came back from the one set deficit and defeated the Golden Eagles, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22.

Pool 2:    
1. Los Alamitos (Calif.), 2. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 3. Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 4. Silverado (Henderson, Nev.)

First: Redlands East Valley   
Second: Los Alamitos  

Third seeded in Pool 2, Redlands East Valley shocked the first seed, Los Alamitos in the pool opener.  Whether Los Alamitos was playing on tired legs or it felt game tested enough to tinker with the line up from its consecutive weekend tournament victories, is uncertain.  The Griffins clinched the first set, then dropped the match in overtime (25-20, 18-25, 27-25).  The loss resulted in a challenge round match against No. 1 Archbishop Mitty, which knocked the Griffins out of the Gold Bracket.

By Christine Jinbo

See how the pools stack up at the Durango Classic girls' volleyball tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.  Last year La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) reached down deep after a series extra set victories in the quarters and semis to win the tournament.  This year, every pool brings a high level of competition. Teams will not have to wait until playoffs to face a challenge.  Keep reading to see how each pool stacks up.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Los Alamitos' Jane Croson is one of the hardest hitters in the state.

Pool 1- at Durango
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 2. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) , 3. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), 4. Tri-City Christian (Vista, Calif.)
Archbishop Mitty  is the clear favorite in this pool with Kristina Graven and Rachael Williams firing on the outsides and from the backrow.  Harvard Westlake  could challenge and senior outside hitter Meg Norton shines, but it does not have the depth of Mitty.  Clovis West played Mitty already and lost in straight sets.
 
Pool 2. - at Green Valley
1. Los Alamitos (Calif.), 2. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 3. Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), 4. Silverado (Henderson, Nev.)
Los Alamitos comes off two back-to-back tournament victories.  This could mean one of two things: the Griffins are playing on tired legs in their third consecutive tournament or they are game tested and ready to win a third tournament.  The tandem of Jane Croson and Halli Amaro are big weapons for the Griffins.
 
Buchanan  is unbeaten, yet untested.  This pool will be an eye-opener for the Bears. Redlands East Valley graduated some big studs last year, but senior setter Johnna Fouch has a big target in 6-foot-2 versitile Krista Vansant.
 
Pool 3. - at Foothill
1. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), 2. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 3. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.), 4. Saint Pius X (Albuquerque, N.M.)
La Costa Canyon  has go to hitters Natalie Hagglund and Natalie Loos and an all star in Kendall Polan delivering the ball.  The Mavericks have already taken care of Santa Margarita this season, but look for the Eagles to come back strong with Kylie Hargreaves banging away on the outside.
&nbs...

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE Volleyball recognized senior Brianne Riley of Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), as the player spotlight of the week for her outstanding performance at the Wheaton Classic volleyball tournament, where she led the team in digs and in serve receive rating.

Benet Academy Head Coach Brad Baker said, "Brianne played outstanding volleyball and was a major key to our success through the tournament and in the championship match."

	Courtesy Benet Athletic Progam
	Brianne Riley

The Redwings glided into the ESPN RISE FAB 50 when they avenged their one loss to No. 36 Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.) and secured the Wheaton Classic championship.

The University of Kansas commit talked about the tournament victory and what it meant to the team.

"Our team has been working really hard and we all wanted it."  She continued, "We played together and the best feeling is playing as a team."

Riley commits herself to volleyball, to the student government and is part of an athletic family.  Her family and her brothers are where she draws inspiration.

Riley's father played baseball and football at Benedictine University and coached at the University of Louisville.  Her sister played softball and volleyball. Riley's brother, currently plays football at Purdue and her younger brother is a three sport athlete.

"My older brother Jimmy inspires me. He works hard and commits to whatever he is doing."

Riley added, "When he has a goal he puts his all into it and doesn't stop until he has accomplished it."

Her inspiration also comes from younger brother, Danny, who had three open-heart surgeries and is now playing football, baseball, and basketball.

"He is a stud and nothing could stop him from doing what he loves to do," said Riley proudly.   

Benet Academy is a family tradition with the Riley clan, both of Riley's parents attended Benet and her father made a big impact as a football and baseball player there.  Riley feels blessed at the opportunity to play for the school her parents attended and to play for coach Brad Baker.

"His [Baker's] first focus is for his players to be good people, good teammates, and work hard. I have been fortunate enough to be coached by him and he has made me into the player I am today," said Riley.

She added, "This is the kind of environment you will receive when you are at Benet, a Catholic school. Faith and prayer play a very big role in my life and my family's."(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The Durango Volleyball Classic (Las Vegas, Nev.) began as an eight-team tournament, with neighboring high school Green Valley, the winner of the first event.  The tournament, which celebrates its fifteenth year, has since grown into a 48-team national tournament with a waiting list pages long.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Can Falyn Fonoimoana will Mira Costa to victory at Durango?

Check out ESPN RISE Volleyball's coverage of the
2008 Durango Classic.

The pool assignments are a major factor in overall tournament finish.  Check back as we break down the pools. Which team has a walk and which team has a difficult road? Check back to find out!

2009 Pool Play Assignments       

Pool 1. (Ct 1. at Durango)
1. Archbishop Mitty
2. Clovis West
3. Harvard-Westlake
4. Tri-City Christian

Pool 2. (Ct 1. at Green Valley)
1. Los Alamitos
2. Buchanan
3. Redlands East Valley
4. Silverado
 
Pool 3. (Ct 1. at Foothill)
1. La Costa Canyon
2. Santa Margarita
3. Long Beach Poly
4. Saint Pius X(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

This week, Los Alamitos (Calif.) made a climb in the ranking with back to back tournament titles at the Gahr Invitational (Cerritos, Calif.) and the Dave Mohs Memorial (Huntington Beach, Calif.).

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Halli Amaro celebrates with Los Alamitos at the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament.

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) hosted 16 teams with six ranked in the FAB 50.

The Dave Mohs Memorial hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School accepted 64 teams split into two divisions into its tournament.

Check out the week 2 girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking for 2009 below, previous rank in parenthesis.  Click the link for more.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 2 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 20.

Rank School, City, State, Record
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif. 9-0
2 (2) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill. 12-0
3 (3) Reagan San Antonio, Texas 31-1
4 (4) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif. 2-0
5 (5) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind. 20-0
6 (6) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 31-3
7 (9) Assumption Louisville, Ky. 15-2
8 (12) St. Francis Wheaton, Ill. 15-0
9 (7) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky. 11-3
10 (18) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif. 11-0
11 (10) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.  17-1
12 (8 ) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas 23-4
13 (11) Wilson Long Beach, Calif. 1-0
14 (14) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio 10-0
15 (20) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif. 6-1
16 (NR) The Woodlands Woodlands, Texas 27-4
17 (39) Santa Barbara  Santa Barbara, Calif. 6-1
18 (13) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif. 4-2
19 (33) St. Ursula Academy Toledo, Ohio 9-1
20 (15) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 1-1
21 (21) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla. 7-2
22 (NR) Benet Lisle, Ill. 14-1
23 (26) St. James  Lenexa, Kan. 6-0
24 (30) Canyon Randall Amarillo, Texas 24-1
25 (23) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C. 7-1
26 (NR) Evenston Evanston, Ill.  13-2
27 (28) Chaska Chaska, Minn. 7-0
28 (22) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif. 4-2
29 (29) Plant  Tampa, Fla. 10-0
30 (47) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans. 11-2
31 (19) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio 8-0
32 (32) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind. 10-0
33 (16) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas 25-3
34 (17) Marian  Omaha, Neb. 15-1
35 (35) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn. 10-0
36 (46) Hinsdale Central Hinsdale, Ill. 14-2
37 (37) Rose Greenville, N.C. 7-0
38 (31) St. Joseph's Academy  St. Louis, Mo.  12-3
39 (24) Sandburg Orland Park, Ill. 10-1)
40 (34 Allen Allen, Texas 23-3
41 (36) Marist Chicago, Ill. 7-2
42 (41) Lee's Summit West  Lee's Summit, Mo. 11-0
43 (42) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i  9-0
44 (43) Blue Springs  Blue Springs, Mo. 11-2
45 (45) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio 10-0
46 (49) Kamehameha Honolulu, Hawai'i  9-1
47 (38) Westlake Austin, Texas 22-6
48 (48) Mount Notre Dame Academy Cincinnati, Ohio 8-1
49 (50) Corona del Mar Newport Beach, Calif 6-2
50 (40) Harvard Westlake North Hollywood, Calif. 1-3
 

By Christine Jinbo

The championship match of the 2009 Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament took place last night at the Dave Mohs Gymnasium at Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School.  The final pitted Los Alamitos (Calif.), the Gahr Invitational

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Los Alamitos celebrates its second tournament title in two weeks.

The Griffins started slow and dug themselves out of a one set deficit for the victory, 23-25, 25-15, 15-6. They captured their second tournament title of the year and junior outside hitter Jane Croson was selected the tournament MVP.

Los Alamitos will look for its third tournament title on back to back to back weekends as they head to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Durango Classic hosted by Durango High School.

Teams to watch at the Durango Classic include 13 ESPN RISE FAB 50 teams in the 48-team field and the two top powerhouses from Louisville, Ky., Assumption and Sacred Heart.  The field also represents eight states and Canada.

Teams to watch at the Durango Classic in alphabetical order:

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.), Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), Kamehameha Schools Kapalama (Honolulu, Hawaii), La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), Lakewood (Calif.), Los Alamitos (Calif.), Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.), Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.), Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), South Torrance (Torrance, Calif.), Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.), Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.)

By Christine Jinbo

The Tournament of Champions hosted by ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 31 St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), described as a boutique tournament by this author, featured pools without any two teams from the same state.

St. Joseph's Head Coach Karen Davis said, "It was an interesting and competitive tournament."  She continued, "All gold division matches went into the deciding third set."

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 7 Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) swept the tournament with a 5-0 record and defeated No. 41 Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kans.) in the finals, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22.  The two Kentucky teams, Sacred Heart and Mercy (Louisville, Ky), placed first and fourth.

Mercy sustained three losses on the tournament, the first to Cor Jesu (St. Louis, Mo.) in pool play.  Sacred Heart defeated Mercy in the semifinals in a tight three set match, 25-27, 25-23, 25-23 and St. Joe finished the Jags off in the third place game.

To complicate future ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings, Mercy defeated the second place team Miege while St. Joe, which defeated Mercy, lost to Miege in the semifinal match, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16.

Below are the results from the Tournament of Champions at St. Joseph's Academy.

1.  Sacred Heart Academy  (5-0)
2.  Bishop Miege (3-2)
3.  St. Joseph's Academy (3-2)
4.  Mercy (2-3)
 
5.  Althoff (2-3)
6.  Cor Jesu (3-2)
7.  Bishop Kelly (2-3)
8.  Colonial Forge (0-5)

By Christine Jinbo
 
The anticipated Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) Invitational played out close to original seeding.  The 16-team tournament took place over two days and honored the "ultimate team game."  The tournament paid tribute to the spirit of team and assistant athletic director and tournament director Sarah Thomas* (coach of the 2009 ESPN RISE National Champion softball team) decided not to honor individual achievements through an All-Tournament team for the event.

The top seeded Monarchs breezed through the elite level competition and were forced to a four set match only once in the two day event.  Mitty defeated No. 2 seed, Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) in the final 25-15, 27-29, 25-13, 25-23.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Carly Wopat dominated the net for Dos Pueblos.

The Dons lost in the next round to eventual champion and tournament host, Archbishop Mitty, 25-13, 25-11, 25-9.  After their loss to the Monarchs, the Dons rebounded and defeated Berkeley Prep for third place, 25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12.
 
In a quarterfinal match scheduled for 8:00 PM, No. 4 seed, Marymount fell to Santa Barbara in a marathon five set match, (25-23, 18-25, 25-27, 26-24, 15-12) and had to turn around and play first thing the next morning versus St. Francis (Sarcramento, Calif.) and dropped a heartbreaker that ended 19-17 in the fifth set.  St. Francis came into its Saturday match versus Marymount after a quick three set loss to Mitty, (25-13, 25-21, 25-20).
 
The ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 1 Archbishop Mitty went 4-0 this weekend and even more impressive, compiled a set record of 12-1 for the weekend.

*Note: Head Coach Brett Almazan-Cezar was not the tournament director for this event.  A correction was made to the story. It was the assistant athletic director Sarah Thomas who served as the Tournament Director.

Read more about the tournament at ESPN RISE Volleyball.

Read more about the final match at MaxPreps.com.

Read more about Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara at PrisidioSports.com.
 

By Christine Jinbo

	Tony Martin/ESPN RISE
	Sacred Heart will play three matches in pool play against teams from different states.

By Christine Jinbo

Sixty-four girls' volleyball teams converge on Orange County (Calif.) today to compete in the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament, hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School.   The event features the best in the city and

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Kylie Hargreaves of Santa Margarita will participate in the Dave Mohs.

surrounding areas and one lone team from out of state Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.).
 
The 2009 tournament will feature sixteen 4-team pools and begins Friday afternoon.  The three-day event tournament culminates with the championship match on Monday in the Dave Mohs Gymnasium on the Edison campus, after a one-day hiatus on Sunday.  All play will be best two out of three games to 25 points.  The third game will be a 15-point game.

ESPN RISE FAB 50 teams participating in the tournament include: No. 18 Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.) and No. 50 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).  Although only two ranked teams are entered in the event, many teams are considered "on the bubble," including: Corona del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.).

Six Orange County schools will host the three-day tournament, with a day of rest on Sunday: Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School, Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School, Marina (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School, Newport Harbor (Newport Beach, Calif.) High School, Fountain Valley (Fountain Valley, Calif.) High School, Corona Del Mar (Newport Beach, Calif.) High School

Pool seeding and site information:
Pool 1 @ Edison High School
1. Los Alamitos
2. Bakersfield
3. San Clemente
4. Los Osos
 
Pool 2 @ Huntington Beach High School
1. CDM
2. Mater Dei
3. Newberry Park
4. El Toro
 
Pool 3 @ Edison High School
1. Santa Margarita
2. Esperanza
3. Peninsula
4. Upland
 
Pool 4 @ Newport Harbor High School
1. Newport Harbor
2. Vista Murrieta
3. Tesoro
4. Palos Verdes
 
Pool 5 @ Newport Harbor High School
1. El Dorado
2. Mission Viejo
3. Laguna Beach
4. Chapparel
 
Pool 6 @ Huntington Beach High School
1. Huntington Beach
2. Troy
3. Centennial
4. Royal
 
Pool 7 @ Edison High School
1. Orange Lutheran
2. Edison
3. Temecula Valley
4. University
 
Pool 8 @ Huntington Beach High School
1. Murrieta Valley
2. Capo Valley
3. Rosary
4. Liberty 

By Christine Jinbo

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Rachel Williams returns strong for her senior season with the Monarchs.

With large scale high school volleyball tournaments taking place across the country, ESPN RISE Volleyball will do its best to provide news and information from the events.  The first of the tournament coverage we bring our readers comes from ESPN RISE FAB 50  No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.). 

The Monarchs hope to defend their title from last year, when they defeated Santa Barbara (Calif.) in the finals of their own Archbishop Mitty Invitational.  This year, a talented field returned and expanded out of California with Florida and North Carolina represented. 

No. 21 Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and No. 23 Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) make the trip west to test their wares against California.

Other top ranked teams participating in the event include, No. 13 Marymount, No. 20 Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) and No. 39 Santa Barbara will be in attendance.  

Below is a breakdown of the teams in alphabetical order, provided by the Archbishop Mitty tournament organizers.

Analy (Sebastopol, Calif.)
League/Section: Sonoma County League/North Coast Section
Enrollment: 1,360
Nickname: Tigers
2008 Record: 24-8
Players to Watch: Margaret Barnes, Sam Siebert, Marla Petrucci, Calaire Sullivan
Notable Alumni: Karen Valentine
Head Coach: Nancy Williams & Becky Olson
Varsity Assistants: Wyatt Andersen

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
League/Section: West Catholic Athletic League/Central Coast Section
Enrollment: 1,700
Nickname: Monarchs
2008 Record: 41-1
Players to Watch: Rachel Williams, Kristina Graven
Notable Alumni: Kerri Walsh, Lindsay Sherburne, Bethany Johansen, Amanda Gil
Head Coach: Bret Almazan-Cezar
Varsity Assistants: Chi Chui, Kevin Corral
ESPN RISE FAB 50: No. 1

Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.)
League/Section: FHSAA/Class 3A
Enrollment: 500
Nickname: Buccaneers
2008 Record: 28-3
Players to Watch: Jordan Burgess, Lindsay Young, Mackenzie Dagostino, Chelsea Parker, Natasha Rowland
Notable Alumni: Eilein Murfee, Anna Robinson, Janet Okogbaa, Ashley Miller, Mary Leffers, Kelly Flanigan, Merrill Mullis
Head Coach: Randy Dagostino
Varsity Assistants: Rafael Silva, Marianne Rechtoris
ESPN RISE FAB 50: No. 21

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

Taylor Unroe from Burris High of Muncie, Ind. received athlete of the week by ESPN RISE.  Her performance launched Muncie Burris to the championship of the Burris Invitational. In the title match, against then ranked No. 2 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), Unroe came through with 12 kills, two aces and nine digs. During the day, in which the Owls played four times, Unroe posted 34 kills and 32 digs.

	Courtesy Shelby Cloyd
	The Munice, Ind. Star Press says, "When Unroe gets a kill she stomps her feet and lets out a scream that sends Pit Bulls running for cover."

Despite being considered "small" for elite volleyball at 5-foot-7, she received a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Florida.  College recruiters noticed what Unroe's prep coaches and teammates have known for a long time.  She is the ultimate team player and the ultimate competitor.   

Unroe reflected on her team's accomplishment.

"Beating Louisville Assumption was one of the highlights of my high school career and the whole team came together to help do that," she said.

Unroe can almost compare championship rings with Michael Jordan, as she owns four and could match his six by year's end.  She has three 2A Indiana State Tournament championships and last spring took home the Junior Volleyball Directors Association (JVDA) 18 Open Championship with her club team Munciana Samurai.  Tournament organizers recognized her talent and Unroe received all state honors each of the three years and was named the MVP of JVDA tournament.

Burris Head Coach Steve Shondell has seen first hand Unroe's work ethic and success.  "Through her work ethic, dedication and commitment, Taylor has evolved into one of the premier high school volleyball players in America," he said.

Unroe attributes her success to her mother who she says, "Inspires me … and rarely misses me play."

"She is always there and always encourages me to be the best I can be and doesn't hesitate to tell me when I'm not," added Unroe.

She began to play volleyball at four years old when she watched her stepsisters, who played for Delta Juniors Volleyball Club located at Delta (Muncie, Ind.) High School.  She was hooked, so her dad took her along to play on Saturdays.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

This week, ESPN RISE FAB 50 top ten teams, previoiusly ranked No. 3 Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and No. 2 Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) sustained upset losses.  The Mustangs fell to previously ranked No. 40 Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.) High School on their own turf.  The Sailors traveled to Mustang territory and toppled the giants, 25-21, 25-27, 19-25, 25-23 15-11.  USC commit, Sam Hirschman had a team high 20 kills, 15 digs and four blocks. 

Assumption traveled to the Burris Invitational (Muncie, Ind.) and took a beating from tournament host, No. 18 Burris in the finals.  Florida commit Taylor Unroe led the team and propelled the Owls into the top ten with their straight set win over Assumption.  The Rockets redeemed themselves in straight sets over rival No. 7 Mercy (Louisville, Ky.) (25-14, 25-18, 25-16), which knocked the Jags out of the top ten.  The Rockets went into the Louisville Invitational Tournament with one loss and emerged with one more to Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) in a best of three match (25-21, 23-25, 25-18).

The season is heating up with early tournaments set for the coming weeks.  Competitive tournaments take place in Northern and Southern California.  No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) hosts its Invitational with 16 teams on four courts.  No. 21 Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and No. 23 Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) will travel to the event, which includes top California talent.  Besides host Mitty, No. 13 Marymount, No. 20 Dos Pueblos (Goleta, Calif.) and No. 39 Santa Barbara will be in attendance.  In Southern California, the 32nd annual Dave Mohs, hosted by Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) High School will feature top Southern California teams. The tournament field has 64 teams competing in two divisions with Orange County well represented. Championship matches are on Sept. 21.

ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 31 St. Joseph (St. Louis, Mo.) will host its Invitational also this weekend.  Louisville  schools, No. 25 Mercy and No. 7 Sacred Heart will travel to St. Louis for the event.  The much anticipated Durango Classic is set for Sept. 25-26 and will feature, five ESPN RISE top ten teams and 12 ESPN RISE ranked teams.   The tournament represents eight states and has expanded its field to 48 teams this year.  This is one nobody wants to miss.

Check out the pre-season girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 ranking for 2009 below, previous rank in parenthesis.  Click the link for more.

ESPN RISE FAB 50
National girls' volleyball rankings
Week 1 Rankings- Records reflect games played through September 13.

Rank  School, City, ST, Rec.   
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 6-0
2 (5) Joliet Catholic (Chicago, Ill.) 8-0
3 (8) Reagan (San Antonio, Texas) 29-1
4 (9) La Costa Canyon  (Carlsbad, Calif.) 1-0
5 (18) Muncie Burris  (Muncie, Ind.) 15-0
6 (4) Amarillo (Amarillo, Texas) 28-3
7 (12) Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Ky.) 7-2
8 (6) J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) 21-4
9 (2) Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) 12-2
10 (22) Floyd Central  (Floyds Knobs, Ind.  11-0
11 (11) Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.) 0-0
12 (20) St. Francis (Wheaton, Ill.) 8-0
13 (40) Marymount  (Los Angeles, Calif.) 1-0
14 (14) Ursuline Academy  (Cincinnati, Ohio) 6-0
15 (3) Mira Costa  (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) 0-1
16 (23) O'Connor  (Helotes, Texas)  23-3
17 (16) Marian  (Omaha, Neb.) 9-0
18 (15) Los Alamitos (Los Alamitos, Calif.) 4-0
19 (19) Dublin Coffman (Dublin, Ohio) 4-0
20 (21) Dos Pueblos  (Goleta, Calif.) 2-0
21 (25) Berkley Prep  (Tampa, Fla.) 5-0
22 (17) Lakewood  (Lakewood, Calif.) 3-0
23 (37) Cardinal Gibbons  (Raleigh, N.C.) 4-0
24 (NR) Sandburg (Orland Park, Ill.) 5-0
25 (7) Mercy  (Louisville, Kent.) 10-2
26 (32) St. James  (Lenexa, Kan.) 3-0
27 (24) Mother McAuley (Chicago, Ill.) 3-0
28 (28) Chaska (Chaska, Minn.) 3-0
29 (35) Plant  (Tampa, Fla.) 8-0
30 (NR) Canyon Randall (Amarillo, Texas) 21-1
31 (34) St. Joseph's Academy  (St. Louis, Mo.)  8-1
32 (38) Elkhart Memorial  (Elkhart, Ind.) 8-0
33 (NR) St. Ursula Academy (Toledo, Ohio) 6-0
34 (NR) Allen (Allen, Texas) 22-3
35 (39) Shakopee  (Shakopee, Minn.) 8-0
36 (NR) Marist (Chicago, Ill.) 3-0
37 (44) Rose (Greenville, N.C.) 6-0
38 (13) Westlake (Austin, Texas) 19-5
39 (NR) Santa Barbara  (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 2-0
40 (42) Harvard Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) 0-1
41 (NR) Lee's Summit West  (Lee's Summit, Mo.) 9-0
42 (43) Punahou (Honolulu, Hawai'i) 7-0
43 (49) Blue Springs  (Blue Springs, Mo.) 8-2
44 (26) Center Grove  (Greenwood, Ind.) 9-1
45 (33) Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) 6-0
46 (NR) Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, Ill.) 6-0
47 (45) Bishop Miege  (Shawnee Mission, Kans.) 7-1
48 (48) Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati, Ohio) 6-1
49 (50) Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawai'i) 6-1
50 (46) Santa Margarita  (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) 0-1

Alabama High School Athletic Association
Sinclair Wins No. 1,000, Joins Elite Group

Montgomery Academy (Montgomery, Ala.) Head Coach Julie Sinclair joined an elite group of high school coaches Tuesday, when the Eagles downed Marbury and Prattville in high school volleyball action.
 
The victory over Prattville gave Sinclair win No. 1,000 and made her the fourth volleyball coach in Alabama history to reach the milestone. Retired Hazel Green coach Glenda Wright (1,303-505) leads the state list followed by retired McGill-Toolen coach Becky Dickinson (1,273-130) and current Oak Mountain coach Tammy Richardson (1,196-450). Sinclair is 1,000-336 in 31 seasons at the school.
 
Bayside Academy's Ann Schilling and Muscle Shoals' Brenda Mayes each has more than 900 wins.

Posted by Christine Jinbo

We bring our readers polls from around the nation. Regional polls help shape the national polls in different ways, so before the ESPN RISE FAB 50 volleyball rankings are released later this week, here are some regional polls to consider.  Click the links to view the entire polls.

California:
CIF-SS 2009 COACHES' PRESEASON GIRLS VOLLEYBALL POLL
(As of SEPTEMBER 8, 2009)
      
RK.     DIVISION 1-AA
1.         Santa Margarita
2.         Mira Costa
3.         Wilson/LB
4.         Los Alamitos
5.         Long Beach Poly
6.         Lakewood
 
DIVISION 1-A
1. Santa Barbara
2. Dos Pueblos
3. Marymount
4. Laguna Beach
5. El Dorado
6. Arroyo Grande
 
DIVISION 2-AA
1. Redlands East Valley
2. Corona del Mar
3. Beckman
4. Bishop Montgomery
5. St Lucy's
6. Walnut
&nbs...

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

Thirty-one teams will compete at the Molten/Gahr Volleyball Classic this weekend, hosted by Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.) High School.  Last year, Rosary (Fullerton, Calif.) defeated Flintridge Sacred Heart (La Canada-Flintridge, Calif.) for third place. 
This year's

	Leonard Xu
	Jane Croson returns for the Griffins this year.

The forecasted final, scheduled for  Monday evening, could feature ESPN RISE FAB 50 No. 15 Los Alamitos and No. 18 Lakewood.

2009 Teams (in alphabetical order)

Alta Loma
Brentwood
Burroughs (Brurbank)
Canyon
Cerritos

Chaminade
Downey
Flintridge Sacred Heart
Gahr
La Canada

La Salle
Lakewood
Long Beach Poly
Los Alamitos
Marborough

Mater Dei
Mayfair
Mayfield
Millikan
North Torrance

Notre Dame Acadmey
Ontraio Christian
Pacifica (Garden Grove)
Rosary
South Hills

South Torrance
St. Joseph (Lakewood)
Torrance
Valley Christian
Warren
West Torrance

By Christine Jinbo

The Louisville Invitational, hosted by Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) High School boasts eleven of

	Tony Martin
	Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) cheered when they won the NIKE Classic in Chicago last season.

the top 25 currently ranked high school volleyball teams in Kentucky. 

Four schools ranked in the ESPN RISE FAB 50, will compete in the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament (LIVT) including: No. 2 Assumption, No. 7 Mercy, No. 13 Sacred Heart and No. 29 Notre Dame.
 
The tournament will take place at Assumption High School and the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center, with the championship match set for 4:30p.m. on Saturday. 

Five out-of-state teams will contend for the title at the in the LIVT field including : St.Joseph (St.Louis, Mo. ) Notre Dame (Toledo, Ohio), Bishop Fenwick (Franklin, Ohio), St.Ursula (Cincinnatti, Ohio), and Pelham (Pelham, Ala.).

Illinois Volleyball Coach earns 1000th win

St. Francis' (Wheaton, Ill.) Head Volleyball Coach Peg Kopec joined an elite club which boasts one member.  Kopec earned win number 1000, the first coach in Illinois history with 1,000 wins in one sport at the same school.  Phil Brozynski of the Chicago Sun Times caught up with Kopec for the story.

"This isn't about me," said Kopec, who is 1,000-228-2 in 33-plus seasons. "It's not about my accomplishments. This belongs to all the girls who played for me, all of my assistant coaches, and all the women who had to fight to get adequate facilities and equal treatment during the early days of Title IX."

 
The first ESPN RISE National Athletes of the Week for the 2009-10 have been chosen for the fall season.  The weekly national athlete of the week honors will be given to those who participate in fall sports other than football.

	Courtesy Pearce Athletics
	Elyse Burkert, profiled on ESPN RISE Volleyball received regional AOW honors.

The sports include boys cross country, girls cross country, boys soccer, girls soccer, girls volleyball, softball in the Southwest and Southeast and any other non-football school sanctioned sport. Football will have its own separate player of the week recognition program.

A panel of contributors from around the nation helps to select the honorees each week.  Of those athletes chosen for the ESPN RISE Athlete of the Week, one boy and one girl athlete are selected as the National Athlete of the Week.

Two volleyball athletes were chosen by ESPN RISE for the first honor of Athlete of the Week for the 2009-2010 school year. 

Elyse Burkert, profiled by ESPN RISE Volleyball, was chosen as a regional athlete of the week and Taylor Unroe of Burris (Muncie, Ind.) received the honor of National Athlete of the Week. Come back soon for more about Taylor Unroe as ESPN RISE Volleyball profiles the Burris star.

The ESPN RISE Athlete of the Week panel consists of Steve Underwood (cross country), Sheldon Shealer (soccer), Christine Jinbo (volleyball), Garland Cooper (softball), Doug Huff (multi-sports) and Mark Tennis (multi-sports).

By Christine Jinbo

ESPN RISE FAB 50
2009 First Girls' Volleyball Ranking -
Records and previous ranking from final 2008 FAB 50 Rankings

Last year, ESPN RISE crowned, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) High School the ESPN RISE National Champion.  The Monarchs picked up where they left off, atop the rankings as the pre-season No. 1, with nine seniors and six of seven starters who returned from the 2008 squad.  Head Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar prepares his veteran squad to achieve national excellence again this year.

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Bret Almazan-Cezar coached Archbishop Mitty to a CIF State Div. II Championship.

Last year, Almazan-Cezar told ESPN RISE Volleyball, "This team really enjoys hanging out with each other."  To promote team unity this year, the team hiked 14 miles and camped in the Big Basin (Redwoods State Park, Calif.).

The Monarchs will host their own national tournament with Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) and Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.) traveling from out of state to test the competition.

Check out the pre-season girls' volleyball ESPN RISE FAB 50 rankings for 2009 below or click the link for more.

ESPN RISE Volleyball FAB 50
Pre-season Rankings

Rank School, City, ST 2008 Record
1 (1) Archbishop Mitty San Jose, Calif.  42-1
2 (22) Assumption Louisville, Ky.  30-7
3 (18) Mira Costa  Manhattan Beach, Calif. 28-6
4 (4) Amarillo Amarillo, Texas 48-3
5 (17) Joliet Catholic Chicago, Ill.  39-3
6 (NR) J.J. Pearce Richardson, Texas  36-6
7 (3) Mercy  Louisville, Kent.  40-1
8 (23) Reagan San Antonio, Texas  45-3
9 (2) La Costa Canyon  Carlsbad, Calif.  37-1
10 (6) St. Charles East  St. Charles, Ill. 39-4
11 (20) Wilson Long Beach, Calif.  28-4
12 (19) Sacred Heart Academy Louisville, Ky.  29-10
13 (8) Westlake Austin, Texas  40-8
14 (24) Ursuline Academy  Cincinnati, Ohio  28-1

	Leonard Xu/ESPN RISE
	Carly Wopat along with twin sister Samantha will lead the Chargers this season.

15 (41) Los Alamitos Los Alamitos, Calif.  25-6
16 (36) Marian  Omaha, Neb.  34-8
17 (NR) Lakewood  Lakewood, Calif.  19-8
18 (50) Muncie Burris  Muncie, Ind.  36-4
19 (NR) Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio  25-2
20 (NR) St. Francis Wheaton  27-9
21 (29) Dos Pueblos  Goleta, Calif.  28-7
22 (NR) Floyd Central  Floyds Knobs, Ind.   35-4
23 (32) O'Connor  Helotes, Texas  38-5
24 (13) Mother McAuley Chicago, Ill.  39-3
25 (45) Berkley Prep  Tampa, Fla.  28-3
26 (NR) Center Grove  Greenwood, Ind.  25-10
27 (NR) Nevada Union Grass Valley, Calif.  24-9
28 (NR) Chaska Minn.  25-5
29 (35) Notre Dame  Covington, Ky.  29-5
30 (NR) Redondo Union Redondo Beach, Calif.  13-13
31 (12) Papillion La Vista  Papillion, Neb.  41-1
32 (5) St. James  Lenexa, Kan.  45-1
33 (NR) Lakota West West Chester, Ohio  14-12
34 (NR) St. Joseph's Academy  St. Louis, Mo.   28-9
35 (27) Plant  Tampa, Fla.  28-3
36 (NR) Grandview Aurora, Colo.  27-4
37 (49) Cardinal Gibbons  Raleigh, N.C.  29-0
38 (38) Elkhart Memorial  Elkhart, Ind.  36-2
39 (43) Shakopee  Shakopee, Minn.  32-2
40 (47) Marymount  Los Angeles, Calif.  25-6
41 (46) Washburn Rural  Topeka, Kan.  35-2
42 (NR) Harvard Westlake North Hollywood, Calif.  22-6
43 (NR) Punahou Honolulu, Hawai'i   22-4
44 (NR) Rose Greenville, N.C.  27-1
45 (NR) Bishop Miege  Shawnee Mission, Kans.  36-5
46 (7) Santa Margarita  Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.  29-8
47 (14) Clear Creek  Houston, Texas  44-5
48 (NR) Mount Notre Dame Academy   Cincinnati, Ohio  23-5
49 (NR) Blue Springs  Blue Springs, Mo.  33-3
50 (NR) Kamehameha Honolulu, Hawai'i  20-4
 

Teams to watch list (in alphabetical order):

Beckman, Irvine, CA
Bingham, South Jordan, UT
Brighton, Salt Lake City, UT
Buchanan, Clovis, CA
Carson City, Carson City, NV
Chugiak, Chugiak, AK
Clovis, Clovis, CA
Clovis West, Clovis, CA
Cottonwood, Salt Lake City, UT
El Dorado, Placentia, CA
Gilbert, Gilbert, AZ
Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, CA
Ponderosa, Shingle Springs, CA
Redlands East Valley, Redlands, CA
Saint Mary's, Stockton, CA
Saint Pius X, Albuquerque, NM
Torrey Pines, San Diego, CA
Xavier College Preparatory, Phoenix, AZ
Marist, Chicago, Ill.
Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Benet, Lisle, Ill.
Roncalli, Indianapolis, Ind.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Overland Park, Kans.
Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn.
Incarnate Word Academy, Houston, Texas
Lee's Summit West, Lee's Summit, Mo.
Mother of Mercy, Cincinnati, Ohio
Friendswood, Friendswood, Texas
Lake Highlands, Dallas, Texas
Timber Creek, Orlando, Fla.
Sandburg, Orland Park, Ill.
Glenbrook South, Glenview, Ill.
Naperville Central, Naperville, Ill.
Naperville North, Naperville, Ill.
New Castle Chrysler, New Castle, Ind.
Muncie Central, Muncie, Ind.
Cathedral, Indianapolis, Ind.
Delta, Muncie, Ind.
West Henderson, Hendersonville, N.C.
Grand Island, Grand Island, Neb.
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Orange Lutheran, Orange, Calif.
Thousand Oaks, Thousand Oaks
Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo.
St Michael-Albertville, Albertville, Minn.

By Christine Jinbo

With some states in preseason and others in full swing, the volleyball standout athlete of the week comes to us from the state of Texas, where the season officially opened August 3.  Elyse Burkert (Richardson, Texas) earned the honor of the ESPN RISE Volleyball Athlete of the Week with her extraordinary performance at the Pearland Classic Volleyball Tournament.

	Courtesy Pearce Athletic Dept.
	Elyse Burkert named MVP of the Pearland Classic.

The senior 5-foot-10 outside hitter led J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) to the championship of the Pearland Classic and made tournament history as the first 4A team to win the 76-team tournament. Burkert received MVP honors in the effort as the Mustangs defeated the No. 1 ranked team in Texas, San Antonio Reagan (San Antonio, Texas).

A two-sport athlete, Burkert began swimming at age six and began to play volleyball at age nine.  She earned four varsity letters with the swim team and her favorite memory, despite competing in the 200-meter relay in two state competitions, is being on the same team with her sister.

"I loved it that I had the chance to swim with my sister when she was a senior and I was a freshman," said Burkert.

In fourth grade, she played volleyball in the Plano Sports Authority (PSA) Leagues.  By fifth grade she became a self-proclaimed "ball-hog."

"My mom and dad moved me into club because … the coach kept telling me I had to let other people get the ball.  My parents felt I was ready to move on to club," Burkert said.

The Pearland MVP was unsure about her collegiate prospects until last year when she traveled to the USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships with her club team, Dallas Premier 17 Mizuno.(Read full post)

August Tournament Wrap up, Ann Kang hosted by Iolani and the Duncanville Tournament of Champions

The preseason tournaments in August allowed coaches to test out their lineups, their rookies and their team chemistry.  Whether the tournament took place near or far the preseason bonding and competition will have lasting effects on the season.
 
At the Ann Kang Invitational Tournament, hosted by Iolani (Honolulu, Hawai'i) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.) High School claimed the Gold Bracket championship.  The match pitted California versus Hawaii as Redondo went head to head with Punahou (Honolulu, Hawai'i) High School.  Host Iolani  defeated Kahuku (Hawai'i) in straight sets for third place in the Gold Bracket.

(Read full post)

By Randy Weir, Special to ESPN RISE Volleyball

J.J. Pearce (Richardson, Texas) shocked San Antonio Reagan and made history as the squad claimed the Pearland Championship.  Pearce won the 2009 Pearland Volleyball Classic this past weekend in Pearland, Texas as it defeated previously undefeated San Antonio Reagan 25-21, 26-28, 25-20.  The Pearland Classic is one of the most prestigious and largest high school volleyball tournaments in the nation and consistently turns out the strongest competition each year. 

This year the the tournament featured 76 teams, which included seven of the top 10 teams in the state and 12 of the top 20 teams, according to the lonestarvolleyball.com Texas poll.  The tournament,  historically dominated by 5A teams, made history with 4A Pearce.  The Mustangs finished, in the three days of competition, with an 8-0 record. 

Pearce was the only 4A team to reach the quarterfinals, was the first 4A team to reach the championship finals in the history of the tournament, and became the first 4A team in the history of the tournament to be crowned champions.  Not bad.

Five Mustangs won all tournament team honors: Elyse Burkert (MVP), Julie Olschwanger (Best Libero), Stephanie Holland, Katie O'Brien, and Shelby Sullivan.(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo      

The best of the best in Texas will be decided at the Pearland Volleyball Classic.  Only one team in the 76-team field will be number one on Saturday, but until then, there are 19 number ones.  Nineteen pools, each seeded one through four.

The Classic, set to begin play Thursday, August 27, will conclude on Saturday, August 29.  Thursday's opening ceremonies featured Ogonna Nnamani, Olympic Silver Medalist as the guest of honor.

The tournament will take place on four campuses, Pearland High School, Dawson High School, Pearland Junior High South and Berry Miller Junior High School, with a total of ten courts.

The following teams were seeded first in their pool, but any one of the 76 teams could take the title. 
&nbs...

(Read full post)

By Christine Jinbo

The Texas Girls Coaches Association released its pre-season girls' volleyball poll with few surprises.  Amarillo and Westlake topped the list of 5A contenders in the Texas coaches' poll.  The two coaches, Jan Barker and Al Bennett respectively, each have a legacy of producing state contenders year after year.

Last year, Amarillo defeated Westlake (Austin) in the finals of the Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Div. 5A Championships, 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 15-11. Westlake returns the lone junior from the state All Tournament team last year, Sara Shaw.  The Chaparrals will look to the 6-foot-2 USC commit's experience to help lead the frontrunning squad this year.

Reagan (San Antonio) High School also made the coveted top five of the Top 10 poll.  Westlake defeated Reagan en route to the final four, 25-19, 22-25, 18-25, 25-19, 18-16.  Clear Creek (League City) High School bowed out to Amarillo in the semifinals of the tournament in a close five gamer, 19-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-10.

Texas Girls Coaches Association Pre-Season State Volleyball
Top Ten Poll
 - Only top five listed, to see the whole top ten, visit the Texas State Girls Coaches Association.

Conference 5A
1.   Amarillo
2.   Austin Westlake
3.   League City Clear Creek
4.   San Antonio Reagan
5.   Fort Bend Travis

Conference 4A
1.    Hereford
2.    Richardson Pearce
3.    Austin Lake Travis
4.    Magnolia
5.    Red Oak

Conference 3A
1.   Lucas Lovejoy
2.   Brownwood
3.   Bellville
4.   Dalhart
5.   Fredericksburg

Conference 2A
1.   Bushland
2.   Wallis Brazos
3.   Pottsboro
4.   Jewett Leon
5.   White Oak

Conference 1A
1.  Windthorst
2.  Cayuga
3.  Yorktown
4.  Bronte
5.  Normagee

Nevada Union's Abbie Miraldi accepted a scholarship to play volleyball at Cal State Fullerton in the fall of 2010.

Though she swears there was no pressure for her to obtain an athletic scholarship, Miraldi admits that it's become somewhat of a family tradition.

And when she decided to accept an offer to play volleyball for Division I California State University, Fullerton, she became the fifth member of her immediate family to earn the opportunity of taking her game to the next level.

An outside hitter last season, Miraldi led the Miners with 71 kills as Nevada Union secured a Sac-Joaquin Section record seventh straight Division I section championship.

"Obviously, it's really satisfying because I've worked really hard for it," said Miraldi, who will enter her senior season at Nevada Union this fall.

"But I didn't feel any pressure with my family. If one of us didn't play sports, it would be OK. It's just that since a young age, I've been so competitive with my brother and my sister."

"It's just like a natural love for our family. We just seem to pick it up easily and all of us get into it."

"It wasn't something that had to be done, but there's a lot of pressure in the volleyball world, if you're wanting to play Division I, to get committed before your senior year,” she said. "It wasn't because I wanted to sign before my senior year. I just felt like

Fullerton was the right school for me. But it's definitely a bonus to have made the decision.”

Read more about Miraldi and her family at the Union.com

Senior middle blocker, Chiney Ogwumike and her family have impacted the Cy-Fair sports community.  With the Texas girls' volleyball season in its opening stages and tournaments set for mid-August, Ogwumike's leadership and talent help steer the Bobcats.

The Cy-Fair volleyball and basketball teams have benefited from the talents of Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike for the past five years.

But the 2009-10 school year will be the final year that one or both of the talented sisters grace the Class 5A campus.

"Don't remind me," Cy-Fair head volleyball coach Donna Benotti said with a chuckle. "We don't really want to think about it."

Chiney Ogwumike, who stands 6-foot-2, will be a senior at Cy-Fair, while Nneka is about to enter her sophomore season at Stanford.

The Ogwumike sisters led Cy-Fair to a state basketball title in 2008 and a trip to the state volleyball tournament in 2007.

Last year, Chiney helped lead Cy-Fair to a co-district volleyball championship and a third straight berth to the Class 5A state basketball tournament.

"She is quite an athlete," Benotti said of her star middle blocker/outside hitter. "My job is to try and figure out a way I can bring her back up to the front row when she is on the back line."