Sarah Hernandez (track), left, and Riley Kelly (girls volleyball), center, sign their letters of intent to attend Whittier College during a ceremony at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs on Monday May 4, 2015. (Photo by Keith Durflinger/Whittier Daily News)

By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@SteveRRamirez on Twitter

St. Paul’s Riley Kelly and Sarah Hernandez and Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary’s Anthony Haddad are three of the area’s best in their respective sports, and all three will play collegiately close to home.
The trio signed college letters to attend Whittier College on Monday.
Kelly was area girls volleyball player of the year after leading the Swordsmen to a 31-8 record and the Camino Real League title. St. Paul also advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA semifinals and an appearance in the state playoffs. Kelly had a team-high 402 kills and ranked among area leaders with 332 aces. She was also All-CIF-SS Division 4AA.
“After looking at all my options, I decided I wanted a small school,” Kelly said. “A school that would give me a good education and also has a good volleyball program. Whittier was the fit for me, and I really like coach Chris (Duarte-McDermott). It will be good playing for my home town, which is good too.”

Haddad was one of the top defensive football players in the area last season. He helped the Cardinals to a 9-3 record and a share of the South Catholic League title. He had 84 tackles and 14 sacks. He is the second Cantwell player to sign with Whittier. Quarterback Matt Valencia signed with the Poets in April.
“I’m happy with my decision to go to Whittier,” Haddad said. “Whittier is such an amazing school. They gave me an opportunity of a lifetime to continue playing football after high school. A lot of kids don’t get that opportunity. I’m very glad I’m going to have that opportunity.
“They are going to guide me in the right direction for my major, which is Kinesiology. I plan on overachieving at Whittier.”
Hernandez is one of the top shot put athletes in the area. She has a solid spring track season, with a personal-record of 35 feet, nine inches during the St. Paul Classic in March. She’s also had throws of 33-11 and 35-0.
“I’m excited about (going to Whittier), and it’s a good choice,” Hernandez said. “I’m really excited to be part of the track program there. I know my coach will take me where I need to go.”