GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Orlandini sets the pace

One of your anonymous namesakes wrote this "I do not see you mentioning the serve receive statistics. An OH with a large amount of serve receptions speaks volumes about a players skills and value to their team." I gave the numbers. Spin that as you wish, but the numbers don't lie.

wrong again how can we use only stat to compare players if you are the coach wouldn't you avoid serving to annie or let her pass the ball or minimize her attempts on her attack if her teammates aren't performing that day what more can she do

In case you haven't been keeping up on the blog, it seems football is the king in this valley and that's where the primary interest in readership is.
I didn't take over as prep editor until late in the summer. This time around I will be covering both.
The idea of summer coverage is to promote what each team is doing. Did i get a feel for what players to watch out for, yes. Can you really tell who's great in a meaningless summer match, no way.
I get what you're trying to say about serve-receive being lower against lesser competition, but the numbers are what they are. You're the one who brought up the serve receive numbers.
And, yes, playing lesser competition does inflate numbers in regards to kills.
You say Kim wasn't needed for a victory? Here's an example of why I say the numbers are inflated. Oct. 29 vs. Mountain View. The scores: 25-4, 25-20, 25-8.
Kim led in attempts (22). The only other person with double figure attempts was Joy Gordo with 13. Kim had 17 kills. The next highest was Melissa-Rose Villasenor with five.
How about the next match against Arroyo. The scores: 25-6, 25-12, 25-13.
Kim led in attempts (21) and had 17 kills. The next highest was Slyvia Quatch with nine attempts. Quatch tied Villasenor with four kills.
Again, the numbers don't lie. Was she really needed to get 17 those matches?
Why did she play in all three games? Most coaches I've seen over the years pull their top player at least after two games. She was left in which led to higher kill numbers. I didn't make up the stats.

That's an excellent point. Especially in terms of serve receptions.
It's hard to generate many stats against teams that cannot serve or run any kind of offense.
Most of the time in the MVL, Annie Kim wasn't even needed for a victory. A reporter who really followed volleyball would have seen that during the summer and into the fall. That's why I mentioned summer.
Passing league and hell week seem to have importance to the reporting of football, but summer league means nothing when it comes to other sports.

Wrong again...weak does not equal to inflated stat...weak league equals to deflated stat.

Anon, that's quite funny that you say "these are the All Area teams based on the statistics in front of me."

There's only one girls on the first team that even had stats listed and that's Robinson. Stats had nothing to do with her making the team.

You can either pick players by position or go with the best players, regardless of position. I chose to go with the best players, regardless of position.

By the way, in case you happened to miss it, my remark about Le'au at Monrovia was a response to a comment about how Kim could hit from the back row.

Your serve/receive comment speaks volumes. Since I only have stats for Robinson, let's tabulate the numbers.

Kim Service Receiving: 312 (30 errors). Robinson: Service Receiving 509 (20 errors). Robinson's teammate McLeod: Service receiving: 208 (26 errors). And she wasn't on the first or second team, and she had better overall numbers than Kim.

With Flintridge Sacred Heart, Mayfield, Westridge and even a down Arcadia team, I was used spoiled watching quality teams. Gabrielino was a nice team, but played in a weak league. Weak league computes into inflated numbers.

Let's keep in mind, although Mayfield won a CIF title, Flintridge Sacred Heart was the class of the area this season. And Westridge went to the semifinals in its division. Was Kim better than Westridge's top two players?

The most telling comment from Scott has to be in reference to the Monrovia player-"that freshman can hit from the back row"
Uh, Scott...good hitters can hit from anywhere on the court. And Annie Kim is much tougher to face from the back row than the Monrovia girl at this stage. While your at it -ask Freberg-he'll help you.

Why not just say..."These are the All Area teams based upon the statistics in front of me."
Even with that in mind, I do not see you mentioning the serve receive statistics. An OH with a large amount of serve receptions speaks volumes about a players skills and value to their team. Believe it or not there is more to the game than kills. I also notice that you obviously believe that all the OH's chosen can play all the positions on the court since you do not have an all area selection for each position.

Anon: I'm not sure why you're bringing up the summer. The season was in the fall. Summer doesn't count. And I brought those numbers up because you said she was better than Robinson. Robinson's overall stats are better, so are Robinson's Taylor McLeod's from Maranatha, who also wasn't on the team. Kim had 10 kills against Brentwood. Stillman had 12 kills in her final game. Let's face it, the Mission Valley League is not exactly a volleyball juggernaut, so getting a ton of kills in league doesn't really mean a lot.
I don't know what you have against Stillman, but there are other players that weren't on the list that could be put above Kim, like Pasadena's top player, as well as the Katrina Post and Emily Hudson from Westridge.
Quest: Kim and Esquivel had big matches against each other, no question.
But when you say she's the real SGV Player of the Year? We might be arguing why she didn't make the team as well if she were in our area.
Esquivel had six kills in a close win over Arcadia. Los Altos had a total of 16 kills and one ace in two games. What that tells me is Arcadia had a ton of errors to account for the other 34 points. In a five-game match against Arcadia, I don't see Los Altos winning, especially late in the season.
Esquivel's top games came against Gabrielino and South Hills.
Was Esquivel that much better than South Hill's top player? South Hills went farther in the playoffs.
I believe if we took the Star-News team and put it against the Trib's, the Star-News team, the Star-News team wins easily, hands down.

Tons of people are agreeing with the comment below... we don't hate the star news...but why dont we compare Annie Kim to the SGV Tribune Player of the Year Jade Esquivel from Los Altos...look at the stat of the playoff match between Los Altos and Gabrielino on maxprep.com...if we are going compare Brentwood...why dont we compare the best player in the real San Gabriel Valley according to the SGV Tribune?
Annie Kim out played the Tribune Player of the Year plus her team won with less firepower

Your comparison of stats shows that you should have had Annie Kim on the All area team-so I'm not sure what your point was.
Volleyball is not Football. Comparing players' performances against common opponents does not have much meaning in volleyball. Yes, an OH is an OH, but where did the OH start in the rotation? Did the Brentwood coach use the same defense and/or rotation pattern against both schools? Probably not.
We can disagree all day, but ultimately you did not see these girls enough during the summer and through the season to warrant leaving Kim off the All Area team.
What specifically did you see to say that Kim did not have a better season than Stillman? I know that the Arcadia coach would say that, but I don't think you can make that arguement.

Sorry, my home computer's been acting up so I haven't had a chance to respond.

First Anon, it's your opinion and I respect that. However, I disagree.
Better than Stillman, Aragon? I don't see that. By the way, that freshman from Monrovia can hit from the back row also.

I wish that all teams submitted stats, but we'll have some fun with Kim and Robinson.

Kim: 321 kills (672 attempts, 65 errors), 57 aces in 270 attempts (35 errors). 23 blocks, nine assists, 180 digs (91 dig errors).
Robinson: 264 kills (717 attempts, 95 errors), 51 aces in 314 attempts (47 errors), 36 blocks, two assists, 569 digs (65 errors).

Let's have some fun with a common opponent, Brentwood.
Kim: 10 kills (44 attempts, five errors), two aces, one block, one assist, eight digs, seven dig errors.
Robinson (first match): Eight kills (31 attemts, four errors), one block, 14 digs (one dig error).
(Second match): Seven kills (29 attempts, one ace in 14 attempts, 20 digs (seven dig errors).

Let's not forget that Maranatha also had another girl not mentioned, Taylor McLeod.
McLeod led the team with 289 kills (129 errors), had 111 aces in 413 attempts (72 errors), 26 blocks, 27 assists and 383 digs (51 errors).

Kim had a great year. No question. But there were some well-rounded players in this area this season.

welcome to the jungle!

Still no comment from Scott on why Annie Kim is not mention...well maybe the chinese reading newspapers will cover her.

Thanks, superanonymousguy. Too bad we lost in five.

Hey Scott,

I think you are doing a great job promoting the sport of volleyball. No poll, no All-CIF, no All-League, or any list for that matter is perfect. I encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. It's fabulous for the sport of volleyball. When we look at the big picture of it all, you are an ambassador of the sport for the Western San Gabriel Valley. Please don't be discouraged from publishing your list in the coming years. There will be always discussion when it comes to such a listing.
I believe all the student athletes you have selected have deserved this type of recognition. Although unfortunate, there are many other athletes deserving of this type of honor. However, the athletes aren't affected by this. I believe a lot of these players play on the same club teams, but they seem to get along just fine.
Mr. Scott G, please keep up the work. For those posters, keep on voicing your opinions. But my suggestion is to keep it positive, constructive and healthy. Just remember, we are all here for the girls and for the love of the sport. It's great to see discussion on this site for once, but let's keep it positive. You should check out the SGV tribune posts, now they have drama! Let's keep drama out of the Pasadena area volleyball :)

Great job to not only the girls who have been honored by this list, but all the girls and teams who competed at their best for the love of this wonderful game called volleyball.

Congrats to all the girls continuing their volleyball careers at the next level. That list will only grow as the year progresses.

Happy New Year.

And coach, it's too bad your name was incorrectly posted on the article. But hey, you got an article! Your team got the recognition they deserved at last.

Coach Who,

Haha. Match or game? Big deal. I call it a game. Call me outdated. As for defesive specialist or libero, you should check into that more. There can only be one libero designated per game. The rest are defensive specialist. The libero can change from game to game in a match but only one player can wear the different color uniform.

As for how long I have been coaching, you are correct, I have been coaching since the 80s. I have seen volleyball evolve for the better or worse.

As for Annie Kim, I've known who she was since she started playing for Top Gun Volleyball Club. I've gotten to know her as well. Very nice young girl. I'm glad she got a scholarship to Cal State LA. Like I stated before, receiving a scholarship is not a criteria to making the all valley team. Coaches are asked to give some input and thats it. The coaches are not asked who they think is first or second team. Just comments. If you want to know the truth, I am disappointed that she didn't make the all valley team. Once again, I don't make that decision.

As for a describing a player good or great. I should have used better judgement. Sam and Katie are good players. I should use great to describe the likes of Alix Klineman, Faylyn Fonoimoana, Cynthia Barbosa, etc. That I will admit to being not up to date. Since there are only a few of those types of players, the rest should be called good players. Now that is my judgement. You can have yours.

It is so funny that you have to think there is conspiracy or something that some girls made the all valley team and some that did not. Now you have to call me out. I'm ok with it. Call me whatever you want. The fact is Scott and the other reporters did not put her on for one reason or another. Only they know. There is nothing that can be done about it.

Annie Kim clearly dominated for the past 2 years in the area...when fans and coaches know stopping Gabrielino, they must stop Annie Kim.

It is interesting to see the All CIF list of our local kids compare to the All-Area list. There are 2 names that are listed on the All CIF list but not All-Area: Casey Klein of Pasadena HS and Annie Kim of Gabrielino HS. Well, then again San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the year is on the first team for All-CIF Div.3 and not Annie Kim, that is truly another conspiracy. Didn't Gabrielino went further then Los Altos in the playoff? So, what does All Cif represent? and All Area? and All League?

Coach,

I wonder if you still coach in the 80s or do you really coach at all. Some of the volleyball terms you used are out of date. I think you mentioned defensive specialist but it is an assigned position called 'libero' these days. And volleyball 'game' is called a 'match' and the varsity level is played best out of 5 games. A true volleyball coach would only call it a volleyball match. Are you one of the source for Scott? If you are, then you are truly unreliable. How can you call Annie Kim is only a good player? Have you even see her play? Maybe you are just an avg. high school coach that doesn't know how to point out an all area player. Or, maybe then Cal State LA Head coach gave a scholarship to an avg. player but not San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year. Then again you are just a high school coach. And Cal State LA Head Coach clearly knows how to evaluate players in our area. When Annie Kim totally out performed San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year in a CIF playoff match, and her own area paper won't even recognize her on the All Area 2nd team. How could you support not naming Annie Kim on the list coach?

Good points about FSHA, but Annie Kim is better than Stillman, Aragon, Robinson and Monrovia's freshman. So what happened there?

Honestly, who also seems to be posting as anonymous, by chance did you see Flintridge Sacred Heart play this season? It's hardly a two-person team. Both Orlandini sisters had outstanding seasons. Katie Condon is one of the top outside hitters in the area. Freshman Camille Coffey and senior Megan Meyers were solid hitters as well. This was also the best defensive team, by far, in the area.
In the second match against Harvard-Westlake, the Orlandini sisters combined for 51 digs.
FSHA, although it didn't win a CIF title, was by far the top team in our area and played, by far, the toughest nonleague schedule.
I was skeptical when told about how good FSHA was prior to the season. Not so much about them being good, as how they'd compete in Division I-A, a division I'd covered in the past.
They had six losses the whole season. Three of those defeats came to Division I-A and Division III state champ Harvard-Westlake, while one of the others was to Division I state champ Lakewood.
The most impressive win I witnessed was when FSHA dominated top-ranked Santa Barbara in three games in the semifinals.
The point of this post is that at least three of their players could have made first team.
There's nothing political when talking about this team. This year's FSHA team played against much tougher competition and at a higher caliber than the other area teams.

No politics on this end.

It's a great idea to leave these honors up to the coaches and media...except when it not being played straight up.

The Orlandini coach got the most out of only two players on her team. Her daughters. Coach of the Year? NO. Mother of the year...yes.

Reading Eric Boal from the LA Daily News and the suck up coverage he gave to the family was awkward and embarassing. This was not a typical reporter/coach relationship. He and she had an agenda. It all worked out for them. Many bought into the hype.

In general it would be better to leave things up to coaches and media...not in this case and not in this area.

Politics with this area team...yes...Big Time!!!

Yes, the top players this season.

This debate is exactly why parents and fans should not have any input in who makes the all valley team?

As for the coaches, we just give some input and thats it. We don't choose the players. That responsibility goes to Scott and the reporters at the Star News.

People are we going to start dissecting why certain players made the team because you think she can play backrow, etc? I prefer not to go that route, because who are we going to help here, the kids or ourselves?

By the way Scott- if you watched enough volleyball in the area- you'd have seen that Annie Kim is a better back row and better defensive player than 3 of your OH selections.
I'm a volleyball fan-not a Gabrielino fan or parent.

I'm sure you meant to say that the All-Area team reflects the area's top players during this past high school season.

Anon: I talked with coaches regarding other players in the area. The area coaches know who the best players are.
I don't talk to coaches about their own players.
And, again, sorry to burst your bubble, but the All-Area team reflects the area's top players, not the area's top recruits or who has scholarships.

Coach (?)

Coaches should have zero say in who is selected for an all area team. Coaches do enough damage with their all-league selections. The fact that Scott consulted coaches for this all area team is terrible.
Fortunately, the good players with college potential don't need all area recognition or even high school volleyball to move on to the next level.

No, it's not fake. It's a true list. What's happened is the CIF apparently doesn't handle the All-CIF selections anymore. Why? Who knows, but it makes very little sense to me.
The selections are now put out by the LA84 Foundation.
I originally saw the list on one of the Sun writer's blog when it was posted on Dec. 27.
The paper got the list from a member of the volleyball committee and ran with it.
Since it hasn't officially been released, I refrained from posting it.
And, as it stands, I still haven't posted it, so thanks for the post. :)

Okay. So who put out this list? Where did it come from? It's on Prep Volleyball.com..and referenced the SB Sun?

It looks pretty offical...please advise...Scott...let us know if it's a fake/false..

Actually, the CIF doesn't put out those awards anymore for some reason.

By the way...if you you were confused...these are All CIF SS teams

Scott,

A few local girls honored here...might be nice to see something locally...

Thanks

found these on the sb sun website
DIVISION I
First Team
Olivia Trudeau, Arroyo Grande; Samantha Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart; Katie Condon, Flintridge Sacred Heart; Catheryn Quinn, Harvard-Westlake; Samantha Selsky, Marymount; Alesha Young, Newport Harbor; Katherine Sebastian, Harvard-Westlake; Lane Carino, Mira Costa; Devon Dykstra, Redondo Union; Megan Saraceno, Redondo Union; Morgan Carty, Upland.
Second Team
Jacqueline Johnson, Arroyo Grande; Francesca Silva, Dana Hills; Jazmine Jacobsen-Orozco, Lakewood; Katie Crosby, Los Alamitos; Stevi Robinson, Mira Costa; Megan Munce, Newport Harbor; Lauren Allen, Redondo Union; MacKenzie Knox, Edisonl; Emily Waterhouse, Harvard-Westlake; Nikki Doyle, Pioneer Valley; Kristen Dealy, Santa Barbara.
Players of the Year
Kendall Bateman, Mira Costa; Falyn Fonoimoana, Mira Costa.
Coaches of the Year
Lisa Zimmerman, Mira Costa; Adam Black, Harvard-Westlake.

DIVISION II
First team
Alexandra Palmer, Laguna Beach; Piper Obradovich, Laguna Beach; Sarah Prather, Bishop Montgomery; Jennifer Edmond, Bishop Montgomery; Karin Ng, North Torrance; Kristin McNeese, North Torrance; Johnna Fouch, Redlands East Valley; Krista Vansant, Redlands East Valley; Courtney Boyd, Ayala; Madie Smith, Corona del Mar; Sierra Livesay, Riverside Poly; Hattie Waybright, South Torrance.
Second team
Amanda Remy, St. Lucy’s; Melinda Gomez, South Hills; Brittany Best, Norco; Christine Edwards, St. Joseph’s; Karissa Lagmay, Burroughs; Cami Martin, La Canada; Monica McFarland, Riverside King; Whittany Radcliffe, La Habra; Kacycee Gow, Hemet; Katie Judd, Torrance; Stephanie Stillman, Arcadia; Casey Klein, Pasadena; Natalie Allen, Corona; Kelly Schulte, Riverside Ramona.

Players of the Year:
Dana Hutchinson, Laguna Beach; Ilyanna Hernandez, North Torrance.
Coach of the Year
Tricia Vansant, Redlands East Valley.

DIVISION III
First team
Shannon Armstrong, Oaks Christian; Marissa Brand, Cypress; Paris Coleman, Brentwood; Jade Esquivel, Los Altos; Farren Halcovich, La Quinta; Marissa Rangel, California; Katy McCreary, Bonita; Lisa Morgan, La Quinta; Chanell Puou, California; Kara Sherard, Quartz Hill; Megan Welchman, Village Christian; Aly Squires, Santa Ynez; Ligna Fuentes, Cypress.

Second team
Megan Barr, El Rancho; Chelsea Hamilton, Quartz Hill; Kelly Hasenjager, Mayfair; Madison Horsley, San Dimas; Heidi Hillman, Santa Monica; Annie Kim, Gabrieleno; Morgan Ma, San Gabriel; Alexa Mioek, Oak Park; Molly Peterson, Oaks Christian; Kiki Salazar, La Mirada; Brooke Schlachter, Palm Desert; Kelsey Soos, Santa Ynez; Hannah Stoiberg, La Reyna; Charlotte Haun, Valley Christian.
Players of the Year
Lauren Herrick, Cypress; Rachel Taylor, Village Christian
Coaches of the Year
Robert Blaken, Village Christian; Heather Dillard, Cypress.

DIVISION IV
First team
Rachel Aragon, Mayfield; Sarah Elfinger, Calvary Murrieta; Lindsay Sappington, Calvary Murrieta; Nikki Lane, Chadwick; Michelle McCarthy, Chadwick; Keriann Mason, Arrowhead Christian; Leslie McDonald, St. Margaret’s; Savannah Holte, St. Margaret’s; Jackie Harvey, Laguna Blanca; Alexa Antoni, Ontario Christian; Katrina Post, Westridge; Samantha Borenstein, Viewpoint.

Second team
Galia Sotomayor, Providence; Daniela Macias, Gladstone; Katie Saavedra, St. Paul; Cindy Ortiz, Bishop Conaty; Antonia Antes, Big Bear; Whitney Granado, Woodcrest Christian; Emily Davisson, Laguna Blanca; Katie Borden, Laguna Blanca; Megan Sweeney, Mayfield; Janelle Tucker, Campbell Hall; Tiffany Horton, Rio Hondo Prep; Rene Simon, Calvary Murrieta; Sarah Grayden, St. Margaret’s; Carolyn McLaughlin, Westridge.
Player of the Year:
Susan Carlson, Mayfield
Coaches of the Year:
Ernest Banaag, Mayfield; Paul Amoy Calvary Murrieta.

DIVISION V
First team
Kylie Edgemon, Upland Christian; Tanya Ivory, Victor Valley Christian; Kaley Morrison, Santa Clarita Christian; Osose Oboh, Faith Baptist; Coliette O’Connell, Connelly; Alyssa Parker, Baptist Christian; Christy Power, Coastal Christian; Heather Rushton, La Verne Lutheran; Madison Sano, Coastal Christian; Jennifer Trahan, Desert Christian; Krystyna Utzig, California Lutheran; Samantha Weiner, Milken Community.

Second team
Chelsea Allen, La Sierra Academy; Britni Dearden, Upland Christian; Ilana Drecier, Milken Community; Kristina Gibson, Santa Clarita Christian; MaryLu Gonzales, New Roads; Rosalind Hilman, Faith Baptist; Kelsey Kolar, Desert Christian; Hilary Marston, Fairmont Prep; JoAnn Mauries, San Gabriel Academy; Stephanie Sommer, Lighthouse Christian; Morgan Stansell, Victor Valley Christian; Megan Tabor, Baptist Christian; Breann Taylor, Hesperia Christian; Brittany Wilkins, La Verne Lutheran.

Players of the Year:
Lila Frederick, Connelly; Bree Rauschenbach, California Lutheran.

Coaches of the Year:
Dani Raiser, California Lutheran; Misty Sano, Coastal Christian.

It used and still is called a defensive specialist. It has been around for a long time. People didn't give the position much thought back in the days.

It still hard to understand why he has to justify his picks. There will be some questionable picks. For example, all league voting is just the same. Politics. If all of us coaches had to decide we will be partial to our players. We can conceivably have a huge list. That would water down the honor of making the all valley team. Scott is impartial and lets keep it that way.

I don't divulge sources. Never have, never will.

People of san gabriel valley...there are really 7 positions these days...not 6 anymore...someone got to do more volleyball homework!

But seriously Scott can't go to every game...so whoever said he doesn't go out to the games enough...that's a pretty weak comment.

Whoever posted their own All area team
by: Anonymous on December 31, 2007 1:12 PM is a pretty good list...I would agree more with that list than the original one.

Maybe we should have a voting system online or the Star News can throw a party and invite all the Varsity coaches in the area for dinner and vote for who should be on the ALL-Area team.

Is Scott going to list the schools that he visited and coaches he collabrated with?
Listing his references should be ideal in his defense.

What credibility are you looking for and what homework would you like him to do?

Also, just because you don't agree with his picks, don't accuse him of just picking names from a hat.

He did do some work. Like I said before, he went out and watch some games. He asked coaches for input. What more do you want him to do?

We don't have to agree on every pick. If you don't agree then that is your opinion. If you people think this will help kids get a scholarship or boast their self esteem think again. Most good players don't need this to be good players. They are good players because of who they are and the coaching they recieve from club or high school.

Coach,

No one said that Scott hasn't given VBall some publicity. He's run a few stories on Mayfield and a few on Flintridge. He picked one or two VBall players as PSN Player of the Week. He does contact coaches. He just needs to do his homework if he's gonna publish a list.

I've not seen him at any games but I didn't make every game at every school so, I have to believe you.

Bottom line: the published list lacks credibility and the system of choosing 6 is flawed.

No you didn't. You did pick six players though--seemingly out of a hat.

"...I picked the best players regardless of position like we did for water polo."

This debate about who should and who shouldn't be on the all valley team is going off course. How many of you people are coaches? I remember the first time Scott contacted me last year. It was during the boys' season. First time I ever remember a reporter from the Star News calling and asking me questions about volleyball. What my thoughts were and asking about my players. Scott has done alot for volleyball in the area. I was really disappointed that Andrew Campa went to the Whittier Daily News. He was very in tune to what was going on in the local prep scene. It was a few years ago when the team I coached went to the CIF Finals and I had to call Fred Robledo to let him know that we made it to the Finals. There was no article on us throughout the playoffs. When he did write an article, it was on the day of the Finals. Even then he thought I was someone else. What I am trying to say is that Scott is trying. He calls the coaches, goes to the games, etc. Everything a good reporter does. He doesn't just give the big three (Football, Basketball, and Baseball)all the ink, he does alot for the other sports, especially volleyball girls and boys.
My second point is that parents, players, and fans have no say and rightly so. It has to do with the coaches and reporters. We coaches respond to requests ask of us by the Star News and then they make the final say. We are also ask what we think about other players. We give our best answer and thats it. Mind you that maybe not all coaches respond. Some schools don't treat volleyball in high regards.
My last point is that one of the requirement to be on the all valley team has nothing to do with a scholarship to college. It has to do with input by coaches and the reporters who go out and watch the matches. I'm not saying they get it right all the time. At least they try. Do I think Annie Kim is a good player, yes I do. Not every position should be included or more players. If Scott would expand the team, then it would lessen the prestige of calling it the all valley team. As for the Condon/Orlandini debate, it can be a toss up. Take either one out of the line up and FSH would not be as good. Being a coach, I would take a great setter any day of the week. Not to put down Katie Condon, because she is a great player as well and deserves to be considered. Look at it this way, take Peyton Manning away from the Colts or Steve Nash away from the Suns. How good would they be even if they had the other weapons on the team?
People you can shread me on this. After reading this, some people might even know who I am. At the moment, I rather keep my name off this post and sign on as coach.
Happy New Year!!!

As far as the six players, that's how all three papers did the volleyball team.
I picked the best players regardless of position like we did for water polo.

I think Scott should reveal the list of coaches that he consulted with.

If the first team is an all star team, then we should list those player base on the best for each position at leastr of the first team.
Listing 5 outside hitters is ridiculous. Would the NBA list 5 point guards or 5 centers on the starting voter ballot? Come on lets talk some volleyball senses. Scott, there are really 7 starting positions for volleyball 2 outside hitters, 1 opposite hitter, 2 middle blockers, 1 setter, 1 libero. If the all-area team is listed that way based on the best for each position, then the public would be less critical of the picks.

Didn't Annie Kim already got a full-ride scholarship request to be sign to Cal State LA, which is a premier Div. 2 powerhouse every year during the high school season which was within the NCAA signing period? Did she finally commit? Is Pasadena Star news going to do a story about her and the Gabrielino program? How many of those girls listed on the area team are even offer a full ride scholarship?? not to mention some of those listed can't even play backrow.

Anon 7:39: The Condon/Orlandini thing as you put it was a curiosity question.
A post was directed at me to get out and see some of the players. The fact is, I did follow volleyball and I'll stand by my picks.

The first team is an all-star team and the second team is solid as well.

I had a Player of the Year and six players per team to chose from, as did the Tribune and Whittier Daily News.

I saw most of the top players around the area and consulted with coaches and other members of the media on players I didn't see.

By the way, no team made the state finals and only two teams, Flintridge Sacred Heart and Mayfield made the CIF finals, so to say I had a member of a state championship team not mentioned is inaccurate.

scott, i can't speak for the other poster but I don't think that it's about guessing how many players you've seen. I think that it's about actually giving credit where credit is due and understanding the responsibility of your position as a media representative.

I'm sure it's gotta hurt recruitment and self-esteem to the players that you've blatently ignored. You've picked players who aren't even the best on their respective teams.

You've ignored entire teams with very impressive records and even more impressive players. No one expects you to be perfect. Just understand the power that you wield and the responsibility that you have for every sport! Ask for help if you don't know. You didn't get your position by not knowing that stats are padded and that you might need to glimse at other sources before going to print.

Maybe your list shouldn't be 6. Maybe it should be 9 or whatever the necessary number is that shows a somewhat fair representation of an All San Gabriel-Area Team.

Colleges and others look at the PSN as a viable news outlet and assume that you must know something. It just sucks that you would publish something that is not anywhere near correct. You listed players that weren't even the best on their team and the best player didn't even make your list. You had a player of a state championship team not even mentioned yet peers that aren't as talented (from other schools) and didn't make it as far in CIFSS are listed. Come on. Just admit that you made a mistake, this one time, and print a retraction. Start over or just retract this and let it die.

Oh, and please don't make this and Orlandini/Condon thing.

Anyone following SGV volleyball would say that on any given day the nod should go to either Orlandini or Condon (it's the age old hitter vs. setter battle) but because of the family ties, it's gone to Orlandini.

Anyone who's gone to a FSHA game and has a subscription to the Times can see that even on a day when Condon has 15-30 kills in a match, it's not reported, assists and digs are. The point in all of this is much bigger though. Orlandini and Condon are already commited to the colleges of their choice and I'm sure that they are great friends and are proud of each others accomplishments.

Think about the other kids in the SGV. Just do your homework or don't even pick a team. If you're not going to help, don't hurt.

I appreciate you taking a stab at a team Anon 1:12.

One problem. Our team has six players to a team, not nine.

Curiosity question, why would you put Condon over Orlandini at Player of the Year?

And Anon 4:10: There were only a few players considered that I didn't see at least once. Rather than guess how much volleyball I've seen, put a team down like the other Anon?

Anon 1:12 p.m.

Wow, you should have done all area. This is much more representative and fair. The fact that Westridge doesn't have one girl on either or first or second team is deplorable. I would pick Hudson over Post though for first team. But great list none the less. Maybe you should get out to some of these schools every once and a while Mr. Galetti.

List girls who coaches want to plug and snub girls who actually earn it is unacceptable. Check facts, question stats, use season history and use public information sources.

Coach submissions should be only ONE piece of this list. A more factual team (IMHO)would have been as follows:

MVP
OH: Katie Condon, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Sr.

First Team
Setter: Sam Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Sr.
OH: Susan Carlson, Mayfield, Jr.
OH: Katrina Post, Westridge, Jr.
OH: Stephanie Stillman, Arcadia, Sr.
OH: Taylor McLeod, Maranatha, So.
OH: Courtney McCutchan, La Cañada, So.
OH: Annie Kim, Gabrielino, Sr.
MB: Carolyn McLaughlin, Westridge, Jr.
Setter: Megan Sweeney, Mayfield, Jr.

Second Team
OH: Tiffany Horton, Rio Hondo Prep, Jr.
OH: Teanna Robinson, Maranatha, Jr.
OH: Katie Baumgarten, South Pasadena, Sr.
OH: Rachel Aragon, Mayfield, Sr.
OH: Tirah Le'au, Monrovia, Fr.
OH: Emily Hudson, Westridge, Sr.
OH: Morgan Ma, San Gabriel, Sr.
OH: Alexandra Ferraco, San Marino,
LIBERO: Jenna Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Jr.

Honorable Mention:
MB: Camile Coffey, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Fr.
MB: Kim McCutchean, La Canada, Sr.
OH: Madisyn Spence, Mayfield, So.
MB: Joy Gordo, Gabrielino, Sr.
OH: Emily Barth, San Marino, Jr.

This list truly is a sad representation of an all area team. There were players left off that were far better than some honored.

Any names to add to your post anon 6:47?

Annie Kim being left off this list is a travesty. She is much better than the 2 of the 1st team OH's and better than any of the 2nd team OH's.
C'mon Scott-wake up!

Alex Ferraco of San Marino should have been mentioned too...how do they vote for these all area teams. She helped San Marino took 2nd in league and went further than So. Pas. and she is not even on the 2nd team?

WOW, come on seriously Gabrielino's Annie Kim is not even mentioned. What excuses can we think of??