VOLLEYBLOGGERS ... SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER ...

07/2007
Does anyone know who made MVP and the all-tournament team this past weekend at the Gabrielino Varsity Girl's Volleyball tournament. I believe that St. Lucy's won first place.

In the past pas. star news has published more pictures of the volleyball season, I haven't seen much this season or am I looking in the wrong areas?

although pasadena's schedule may not have had many upper division games they have proven themselves to be one of the tope teams. many said that matched up with la canada and one of the torrences may have a different outcome but pasadena has beaten la canada and both torrences have been knocked out of the playoffs by hemet. I believe that although Roleder is a huge asset to the pasadena team she is not the only contributer. Middle hitter Katie M. has had nearly 10 kills per match and libero, Briana D., is incredible and setter, Casey K., has been recognized over and over again for her performance. So no one person cannot carry a team by themself. I think pasadena will go all the way!

Vtechee,

All of the above teams made the CIF volleyball playoffs and are into the second round.

Which local schools made it to CIF playoffs?

Maranatha
Mayfield
Westridge
Pasadena
La Canada
????

Burbanksports,

As always, great post. You're absolutely right about CIF rules and the difficulty constructing players from the ground up.

One great example is coach Larry Kanow of San Gabriel High. He's lucky if he gets ONE club player a year on his varsity team. Yet, prior to this season, the Matadors had won 13 straight Almont League titles. He credits his team's success with the great job his Frosh and JV coaches have done in building players. Yet, he'll admit that it typically takes about three years of practice and play for a non-club player to be an effective to very good player by their senior year. He once called his team that last true high school girls volleyball team. In some respect he's right, it's rare to find a CIF-playoff team without a healthy number of club players.

trkcoach53,

I'm not sure there's much debate on the cross-country side. The Arcadia boys team in absolutely amazing, no one in the San Gabriel Valley can compare.

On the girls side, despite the great rivalry between South Pasadena and La Canada, I believe Maranatha is the best girls team. Like my pal Neal With Deal at the Leeds mattress store would say, "Rachel Gill won't be beat."

Alot of very good High School coaches with successful programs are involved in coaching club teams. Westridge and Harvard Westlake are a couple of examples. I don't see how a high school volleyball coach can construct a player from the ground up in the time provided under CIF rules. Not to mention constructing a starting six.

In a great many ways club programs and tournaments are where college recruiting begins and ends for players. Most serious volleyball players represent their schools with pride, but the SCVA season is far more important.

Club sports are the lazy high school coaches way out of truly coaching. Is the high school coach doing the coaching or the club? If you are a fundamentally sound coach meaning a coach that can basically construct an athlete from the ground up then there is not the great need for club. I disagree with the entire concept of a high school athlete concentrating on one sport for the entire year for a variety of reasons. Club is the biggest racket since the numbers!!

I agree with Poster. Serious players seek out opportunities wherever they can find the best coaching and programs. I think as more and more high school coaches encourage their players to seek out opportunities via club volleyball it greatly improves the play in High School.
Go SMBC!!

Does the Star-News publish the weekly league standings for the various sports? That could be a starting point for discussion or the weekly area ranking for VB, X-C, Trk, baseball, softball, basketball, swimming etc. I'm sure that would generate much discussion.

I'd have to agree that volleyball in the WSGV is improving but dare I say that it's because many of the girls competing are playing at volleyball clubs outside of the SGV and competing in the national pipeline. Herrera from FSHA is at Mizuno Long Beach, Roledar of Pasadena is at Point West in Westlake, Carlson of Mayfield was at Santa Monica Beach Club--now at SCVC, Aragon also from Mayfield at Cal Jrs Long Beach, McLeod of Maranatha at TCA in Newport Beach, Condin of FSHA is at Santa Monica Beach Club, Orlandini is at Sports Shack in Los Angeles ...and so on.

SGV is reaping the benefits of both worlds. We have the defense taught at SGVBC and the Power game that's taught at those beach city clubs.

We'll see even more improvement as the SGV girls continue branching out and playing Beach tournaments.

I'd like to see some press on some of the girls who are representing the sport at the regional and national levels. Girls in the SGV are representing the state and country alongside girls from power schools like Mira Costa and Los Alamitos but aren't getting any ink in their hometowns.

Great idea on a blog for the different sports - of course you would have to mention the cross country program at Maranatha - strong and consistent

Yeah, we'll blog on track, boys and girls soccer and boys and girls basketball, there's room for everyone. I have to figure out a format that works for everybody.
Any suggestions. I was thinking of a weekly blog on each sport that followers can udate and talk about during the week. We never have enough time or space to cover anyone, so hopefully there will be enough writing in and telling us about the games we can't be it..

Did the Srar-News publish a X-C preview or ranking this year?

I have a question. Will there be a track & field blog?

...and why no X-C blog? It's in season. And very competitive in the Valley?

I don't think volleyball plays as big up here as it did and does down in the beach communities and OC. I grew up in HB and played 2-man on the sand and was on one of our first high school teams in 1975. I know that a lot of good coaches are drawn down that way. I hear club volleyball is growing in our area and that many of the talented young ladies playing in HS here are part of the club circuit.

The game has changed in scoring which I dislike and clearly is refereed more stringently as the quality of play goes up. I still cringe when I see a serve received with a two hand set or open handed "double-hit" that used to always be called. Volleyball is a thrilling game, a great spectator sport and one that should really be embraced in the SGV.

Scott,

First of all, great post. While there are several knowledgeable followers of volleyball, few take time to blog. I agree with just about everything you said with the exception of one statement.

I disagree with your statement- "Volleyball in this area has been on the rise recently, but we still don't compare (in my view) to the quality found east of here (geographic region from Glendora to Rancho.)"

From a club perspective, you're right, there are more club teams east of the West San Gabriel Valley. However, I think our two best schools- Pasadena and Flintridge Sacred Heart- could beat anybody from here to Rancho Cucamonga. In fact, I'm willing to say they're the best two teams in the entire San Gabriel Valley (East or West).

If you look at the latest CIF rankings, you're only going to find (8) teams (St. Lucy's, Ayala, South Hills, Bonita, San Dimas, Duarte, Loma Linda, Gladstone) from Duarte to Rancho Cucamonga ranked from Div-IAA to Div. IVA. There are 12 West San Gabriel Valley schools ranked.

The West also has three schools with excellent chances of winning divisional championships in FSHA (ranked #1 in Div-IA), Pasadena (ranked #2 in Div-IIA) and Westridge (ranked #1 in Div. IV-AA). I would say only St. Lucy's (ranked #3 in Div- IIAA) has a great shot at winning it all.

Volleyball in the West in much improved, and dare I say, better then volleyball in the East SGV, from Duarte to Rancho Cucamonga.

Elsinore defeated Bishop Montgomery in a tournament and that may have swayed some votes. Too bad Pasadena didn't play in the same tourney. They would have won it.
I've seen the St. Lucy's JV team (very impressive as is Diamond Bar's JV)-both also benefit from Club West (LaVerne/Pomona).
I've seen some really good officiating and some officials who seem to be lacking volleyball knowledge.
The real season begins after the High School season ends anyway.

Obviously mid to late season rankings are based more on data and I think these are much more accurate than what was put out preseason. I agree with most of it. Here's my take on the list (of those teams I've seen):

Pasadena is now #2 in DIIA and deservedly so. Roleder is the best athlete I've seen in the area in a long time. Her hitting form is impecable, and her height doesn't hurt. Her team mates play their roles well, and she rightfully gets almost every set. I would like to see them play a team like last year’s Taft with several high caliber hitters and hustle defense.

Westridge is solid and should do well in the playoffs.

If Arcadia plays to their ability, I agree with Fred's (Andrew's?) statement.

Gabriellino played Pasadena tough in their tournament and could have beat them. Their outstanding defense was a good match for Roleder's power. I have thought all year they should be higher ranked by CIF. They will continue to win until they come up against a team with more defense and top shelf hitters.

La Canada may be having what some call a "down" year, but that's only because they are a balanced team without any standout hitters. Last year they had more raw power. They're good all around and have shown it with their performance thus far.

San Marino earned a high ranking early with pre-season wins and should have dropped after losing to Gabrielino but didn’t, then only dropped one spot after losses to South Pas and La Canada. When they play together as a unit, there aren't many teams that should beat them. It will be interesting to see if they rebound to exact revenge on South Pas and La Canada this week.

Poly has been on a roll lately and I hope they can continue that into the post season.

Mayfield just lost to Poly in 3, I hope that doesn't mean they're on a drop... that would be a shame after their decent start to the year.

I think Maranatha should be higher on this list. They are another balanced team who play some great defense. Those girls never quit.

Alverno won the consolation tournament at Gab, and showed some good play at times, but I haven't seen them put much together on a consistent basis.

Has San Gabriel beat any good teams this year? Their league is weak and their preseason has a lot of losses. How they will do in post season is anybody's guess.

Volleyball in this area has been on the rise recently, but we still don't compare (in my view) to the quality found east of here (geographic region from Glendora to Rancho.) Saint Lucy's JV came to the Gab tournament and beat a few varsity teams on the list above. South Hills made it to the semis. The difference is the number of clubs that have been in existence out that way. The only well established club this way is San Gabriel, and they field something like 25 teams. Top Gun (out of Cal Poly) alone fields around 18, and they compete for athletes with Rancho Valley, Upland, etc. The beach schools will always dominate volleyball in California, but the more club players you have the better. Starlings has been gaining some momentum, but I'd like to see more club options for girls to play for in the area.

As far as leagues go, I think the biggest surprise is the parity within the Rio Hondo. La Canada has the only secured playoff birth, and they may end up co-champs. There is a potential 3 way tie for second place and several possible third place ties. No team dominates any other.

There was talk in another thread about the quality of football refs, what have you all thought of the volleyball officiating this year? I think that the majority of the Referees have done a good job (not superior) with a mixed review of the Umpires, depending on who you get. I see a few officials who seem like they have too much of a desire to be “in control� instead of letting the kids decide the games. If anyone saw Taft play South hills in the Gab tournament they know what I’m talking about. I was blown away by a few of the calls/no-calls.

Looks like the weak Pacific League has hurt Pasadena in the polls.

Poster,

Pasadena High School won the Gabrielino Tournament two weeks ago defeating defending L.A. City Section Champion San Pedro (25-1) in the final 25-18. Pasadena defeated Holy Family, L.A. Marshall, Gabrielino, Providence and San Pedro. PHS did not play Taft which was eliminated in the quarterfinals by West Covina South Hills.

The tournament MVP was PHS's Kimmee Roleder. Fellow Bulldog teammates Casey Klein and Katie Merrill were also on the first team all-tournament as well as San Pedro's Alex Bubica and Samanatha Taylor. Madison Campise of South Hills and Galia Sotmayor of Providence High School were the last two tournament first teamers.

Who won the Varsity Gabrielino tournament a couple of weekends ago? Did Pasadena play Taft? Also, was there an All Tourney team?

CV Frosh/Soph Tourney Results

1. Mater Dei
2. Sierra Canyon
3. Burbank
3. Royal
4. Gahr
4. FSHA

I don't think you're giving the other PHS girls enough credit. One big time outside hitter or middle blocker can have a huge impact. The Roledator can keep an opposing team from going on a roll and gaining momentum. A huge factor in volleyball matches. Arcadia plays very well as a team-alot of skill, but does not have a player the caliber of Kimmee. One of the Torrances- I think it's North- has a very strong middle blocker and a very strong outside hitter.

Burbank, how much can one person influence a volleyball game? Could the Roledator single-handedly carry the Bulldogs to a title. Could she move everyone out of the way, and just take over a game if she had to?

I agree that those are big question marks for Pasadena. I do think that if Pasadena can avoid meeting either of the Torrance schools until the finals they have a real shot.

Burbanksports,

I think the problem I have with Pasadena winning a divisional championship comes from its relatively weak schedule. Out of 20 games this year, they've only played four Southern Section ranked opponents. They also did not play a ranked opponent in a higher division. In essence, they haven't really tested themselves. The Bulldogs biggest win this season came against defending L.A. City Section Champion San Pedro (25-1) last Saturday in a battle of unbeatens. However the victory was a 25-18 one game win. So, I'm not sure how much stock you can put in that win.

Compare their schedule with Arcadia, who played six ranked opponents, two of which were from an upper division. La Canada, another local team in the same division as Pas, played seven ranked schools including powers Los Alamitos (#6 D-IAA), Flintridge Sacred-Heart (#1 D-IA), Oxnard (#5 D-IIAA) and Brentwood (#1, DIII-A).

Pas has got Kimmee Roleder, but do they have the experience and fortitude for a playoff run? That will be the big question.

Finchamp, there's room for everyone. We have to do something when football is over.

Just to keep the thread going...the Roledator (right now) is a very similiar player to Orange Coast College's State Player of the Year.

I agree with the rankings, but I could see an early plyoff exit for Arcadia. Despite what Fred believes-Pasadena can win their CIF Division. Watchout for Mayfield, La Salle and Burbank in the next few seasons.

Isn't this a football blog? Don't get me wrong, I'm a graduate of a CIF volleyball dynisty--Huntington Beach HS. Nice try Fred.