PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kylee Wolfe
Whittier Christian, Senior
When it was vital that she perform like the best player on the floor, Whittier Christian’s Kylee Wolfe did just that.
The outside hitter and Heralds co-captain raised her already prolific game to new levels as the CIF-SS Division 2A playoffs progressed in 2013. In a four-set semifinal on the road against Troy, Wolfe recorded a season-high 26 kills. She added 15 more in the 2A final against Mayfield, a three-set sweep that gave Whittier Christian its second consecutive 2A title, and had another 15 kills in the first round of the CIF State Division 2 playoffs.
Wolfe was selected the CIF-SS Division 2A Player of the Year, and has earned the Daily News All-Area Girls Volleyball Player of the Year honor as well. Whittier Christian won its sixth consecutive Olympic League championship and reached the 2A final for the third season in a row, finishing with a 33-7 overall record.
“It was a great season,” Wolfe said, “a great way to finish off my senior year.”
At 6 feet, Wolfe was part of Whittier Christian’s powerful 1-2 punch from the outside, and she was second on the team with 299 kills. Her accuracy led to a team-leading .359 hitting percentage, and her 4.0 kills per set was best on the team as well.
“She’s very strong offensively,” said Heralds coach Shawn Hunter. “She passes well, she’s very smart, she serves consistently … She’s a great all-around player.”
Wolfe is also an excellent student, and will continue her volleyball career at the University of Rhode Island, which she chose over Fresno State. She wants to major in kinesiology and become a physical therapist.
“I fell in love with the school,” she said. “It seemed like a great fit.”
“Rhode Island is gonna get somebody who works hard and who is not gonna complain about what she has to do,” Hunter added. “She’s gonna enjoy her teammates and enjoy the game of volleyball.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
Shawn Hunter
Whittier Christian
Whittier Christian was the only team in the Daily News area to win a CIF-SS divisional crown, and the only one to reach the CIF State playoffs, where they advanced to the second round. For those efforts, Shawn Hunter has been selected Daily News All-Area Girls Volleyball Coach of the Year. The Heralds finished with a 33-7 overall record and Hunter was selected Division 2A Coach of the Year.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Katie Engle
St. Paul, Sophomore
Engle was a defensive stalwart for the Swordsmen from her libero position, setting a school record for serves received in a season with 561. She also led the team with 501 digs, which was nearly double the second-leading total. Engle was recognized by the Camino Real League as a first-team selection.
FIRST TEAM
Deanna Blaine
Whittier Christian, Senior
Blaine teamed with Player of the Year Kylee Wolfe as the Heralds’ outside threat and led Whittier Christian to its second consecutive Division 2A championship. Blaine finished her senior season with 418 kills – almost 4.0 per set – and 65 aces to lead the team. She was an All-Olympic League and All-CIF Division 2A first-team selection. She has committed to Loyola Marymount.
Nada Dragovic
Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Senior
Dragovic claimed All-CIF Division 4AA first-team honors after recording 474 kills for the Cardinals, averaging 6.2 kills per set. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter also led the team with nearly one block per set as well. Dragovic was selected as Camino Real League MVP and she led Cantwell-Sacred Heart to the quarterfinal round of the Division 4AA playoffs. She has committed to Cal State Northridge.
Riley Kelly
St. Paul, Junior
Kelly paced the Swordsmen to a Division 4AA semifinal appearance by recording a team-high 439 kills as well as 61 aces from her outside hitter position. Under Kelly’s leadership, St. Paul won the Camino Real League title for the second year in a row and advanced to the Division 4AA semifinals. Kelly was an All-Camino Real and All-CIF Division 4AA first-team selection.
Melissa Martinez
La Serna, Senior
Behind Martinez’s strong defensive play at the net, La Serna went unbeaten in Del Rio League play and earned the No. 2 seed in the Division 3AA playoffs. Once there, the Lancers reached the quarterfinal round. Martinez was selected to the All-Del Rio League first team and then honored as an All-CIF Division 3AA first teamer.
Samantha Neely
La Serna, Junior
Neely’s powerful swings made her the best outside hitter in the Del Rio League and earned her the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Neely’s proficiency drew the attention of multiple defenders every match, which opened up other players in La Serna’s attack. For her efforts, Neely was selected to the All-CIF Division 3AA second team.
Nicole Santos
Whittier Christian, Senior
Santos was the Heralds’ back-row leader at libero, and her energy on the defensive end fed the offense as well. She averaged 5.1 digs per set, easily the most on the team, and her 58 aces were second. Santos, who has committed to Concordia, closed her Whittier Christian career as a two-time Division 2A champion. She was an All-Olympic League first-team selection.
Jennifer Washle
Whittier Christian, Senior
Washle orchestrated the Heralds’ attack beautifully as the setter, feeding outside hitters Deanna Blaine and Kylee Wolfe with perfectly placed balls to tee off upon. Defensively, Washle was among the team’s dig leaders with 209, and she was third in aces with 46. Washle was selected to the All-Olympic League and All-CIF Division 2A first teams.
SECOND TEAM
Corinne Bell, La Habra, Senior
Ariel Bonderov, St. Paul, Senior
Kylie Cooke, Whittier Christian, Senior
Tammy Doelker, La Serna, Senior
Krystal Ferreira, Cal, Senior
Lexi Kolschefski, La Habra, Junior
Judith Martinez, Montebello, Senior
Victoria Martinez, Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Sophomore
Alexis Meraz, La Mirada, Senior
Nicole Miller, Cal, Junior
Candy Munoz, Pioneer, Junior
Ryana Murch, La Habra, Junior
Natalie Reynoso, Pioneer, Junior
Crystal Rodriguez, El Rancho, Junior
Jillian Saenz, St. Paul, Junior
Stephanie Stevenson, Whittier Christian, Senior
Paige Tillman, La Serna, Sophomore
Ali Valverde, La Serna, Senior
Kyli Watkins, La Mirada, Junior
MATCH OF THE YEAR
CIF-SS Division 2A Final
Mayfield vs. Whittier Christian
Nov. 23
Loaded with seniors who’d seen it all before, Whittier Christian never batted an eye when Mayfield jumped to early leads in each game of the 2A finale. Patient and confident, the Heralds withstood Mayfield’s early momentum and rallied each time for a 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 victory at Santiago Canyon College. Division 2A Player of the Year Kylee Wolfe led Whittier Christian with 15 kills and senior middle blocker Stephanie Stevenson added 10 as the Heralds claimed their second consecutive 2A title.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Almont League
San Gabriel
Camino Real League
St. Paul
Del Rio League
La Serna
Freeway League
Troy
Olympic League
Whittier Christian
Suburban League
Norwalk
TOP 10
1. Whittier Christian
2. La Serna
3. St. Paul
4. Cantwell-Sacred Heart
5. La Habra
6. Cal
7. Schurr
8. Pioneer
9. Whittier
10. La Mirada
