Capital City News
2007 National High School Junior of the Year Finalists
Article courtesy of John Tawa | http://www.prepvolleyball.com/
Here are the 21 finalists for 2007 National HIGH SCHOOL Junior of the Year. Thirteen led their teams to state titles, while the other eight were driving forces in their teams' reaching the state Final Four or equivalent.
Before we reveal the finalists, a little about the process: One month ago, I asked coaches across the country to nominate worthy candidates and to supply statistics and a narrative in support. The requirements were steep: to be considered, a top junior had to make a "massive" impact on her high school team and the state. "Massive" is a subjective term, but at a minimum required that she have statistics that were the best on her team at her position and that she be one of the top players in her state regardless of class. Playing on a team that won a state title, advanced far in the state tournament and/or was nationally ranked was also helpful.
I want to stress that the recognition is based on HIGH SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT in 2007, not past stardom or future collegiate success.
Later this week, we will release the finalists for the Andi Collins Award to the nation's top senior setter and National Senior Player of the Year. Once the finalists are out, I will again solicit input from coaches across the country about who the top player in each class should be. Ultimately, however, I will make the call. I take the process of selecting the winner very seriously. Winners will be announced by January 30.
National Junior of the Year candidates
Elly Barrett, 5-11 S, Westlake (Austin TX) - Barrett emerged as one of the best setters in the nation in her breakthrough 2007 season. Her single-season school record of 1196 assists led Central Texas and was a prime reason Westlake, a top 10 national team, made it all the way to the 5A state final match. Named First Team All State, All-Central Texas Player of the Year by the Austin-American Statesman and Texas Setter of the Year by LoneStarVolleyball.com, Barrett not only delivered assists, she piled up more than 200 digs while also contributing in kills, blocks and aces. The plan to start the year was for Barrett to set and attack in a 6-2 with Bailey Drenner, but Drenner's ACL tear put all the pressure on Barrett to run the offense and "She responded accordingly," said coach Al Bennett. "She is very athletic and quick on her feet. She brings the whole package to the game."
Jasmine Brown, 5-10 S/RS, Girls Preparatory School (Chattanooga TN) -- One of several tremendous underclassmen who will put Tennessee on the map the next three years, Brown led GPS to a state title in Division II with a dominating all around game that included 442 kills, 548 digs, 1345 assists, 97 blocks and 96 aces. First Team All State, Brown led the state as a sophomore in kills and digs, switched to setter this year and used her speed and athleticism to lead the Bruisers to a state title.
Danielle Carrozza, 5-9 OH, Merion Mercy (Merion Station PA) - Carrozza led the Golden Bears to an unbeaten season and the state AA title, leading the team in kills and digs and ranking among team leaders in blocks and aces. A gym rat and over achiever, Carrozza was a First Team All State pick and was named MVP of the state AA tourney.
Brittany Chambers, 5-8 OH, Jordan (MN) - Last year's National Sophomore of the Year had another outstanding campaign in 2007, leading the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro area in kills with 598 while adding 439 digs and 103 aces. Jordan, which was 31-2 on the year, did not repeat its Class AA state title, but don't blame Chambers. The explosive hitter had 45 kills and 20 digs in a five-set quarterfinal loss to D-G-F. First Team All State and First Team All Metro, Chambers will play big-time club this year for Northern Lights, meaning many more will now be treated to this special talent.
Lauren Cook, 5-8 S, Pius X (Lincoln NE) - The Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year and Honorary Captain of the all class All State team, Cook led Pius to a second consecutive title in Class B in 2007. A truly amazing setter with great hands and a great court sense - a "coach on the floor" - Cook, daughter of Husker coach John Cook, broke her own state record for assists in a season with 1,341. Her 165 kills (.435 hitting efficiency), many on deftly placed dump shots, kept opposing defenses off-balance. Her jump-float serve produced a team-high 51 aces. And when teams forced Cook to take the first ball, she was solid there as well with 292 digs. She owns four school records and two Class B records - season assists and career assists - and will likely add more records before her illustrious career is done.
Caitlyn Donahue, 5-7 OH, Blue Valley West (Overland Park KS) - The two-time Kansas 6A player of the year, Donahue is a high-flying, rocket-propelling left side so skilled in the back row that she is being heavily recruited at the libero position. She led her conference in kills this season and Blue Valley West to within one win of a state title. In addition to being Player of the Year, Donahue First Team All State, First Team All League, First Team All Metro, First Team All Sun Country and a member of the 6A State Tournament Team.
Christina Glover, 5-11 OH, Wando (SC) - Glover led Wando to within one win of a Class AAAA state title in 2007 and was richly rewarded for her efforts. The daughter of head coach Alexis Glover was named AAAA state Player of the Year as well as The Post and Courier Player of the Year.
Kate Harris, 5-9 S/OH, Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit MO) - A great player, Harris teamed with senior Allie Huffman, the state's Gatorade award winner, to form a formidable hitting/setting tandem. As good as she was during the regular season, when she compiled 150 kills and 598 assists with 171 digs and 50 aces, the First Team All State performer was dominant in the state tournament and the reason the Titans came away with the Missouri large-class state title.
Megan Hendrickson, 6-0 OH, Jenison (MI) - One of two Jenison players named First Team All State, Hendrickson led the Wildcats to their first state championship with a searing attack that produced 738 kills for a 66-6 team. She also had 328 digs and 100 aces and is one of a handful of Michigan juniors that form a class regarded by many as the best of all time in the state of Michigan.
Heather Henry, 6-1 OH, Eden (NY) - A high jumping, hard-hitting left side with a huge ceiling, Henry led Eden to another state title, this year in Class C, and the distinction as the state's best team regardless of class. First Team All State, All Western New York and a member of the All-State Tournament team, Henry averaged nearly six kills per game, and totaled 100 more than her nearest teammate. She doesn't just dominate a game, front row and back, she demoralizes high quality opponents by just pounding them into submission.
Kayla Lommori, 6-1 OH, Yerington (NV) -- The hardest hitter in the state, Lommori overcame injuries to lead Yerington to another 3A title. A hard worker and leader on and off the court, Lommori is an all-around standout who piled up 624 kills, 161 blocks, 153 digs and 18 aces. After 25 kills and nine blocks in the state final, she was an easy choice for 3A MVP, which added to her war chest that aso included All Sierra League First Team and Northern Division MVP honors.
Gina Mancuso, 6-0 OH, Papillion-La Vista (Papillion NE) - Runner up to Lauren Cook for Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year by a razor-thin margin, Mancuso is a a great athlete and terminator extraordinaire who led the state in kills with 669 and added 76 solo blocks and 418 digs for the Class A champs. Twice a first team all state selection, Mancuso will threaten the state career kills record next year. After coaching high school and club over the past 10 years and coaching numerous D-I and D-II athletes, Gina is the best volleyball player/athlete I have ever coached," said JJ Toczek.
Emily McGee, 5-11 OH, Naperville Central (Naperville IL) - McGee teamed with senior Rebecca Heath to form a devastating left-side combination that propelled the Redhawks to their second state large-class title in three years. The versatile junior led the team in kills (429), digs (319) and aces (31) and was third in blocks (52). McGee was named Second Team All State by the Champaign News-Gazette and First Team All City by the Naperville Sun.
Jaclyn McKenna, 6-3 MB, John Glenn (East Northport NY) - A dominating middle, McKenna was a beast all year long but never more so than state championship weekend, when she put John Glenn on her back and carried the team to the Class B state title. On the year, she had 516 kills and hit .559, and was an even better terminator against the state's best Class B teams at the Rush at the Falls, hitting almost .600 as the Spiders took the state championship. The repeat First Team All State performer also led Glenn in blocks and aces and added to her war chest with League Player of the Year and Suffolk County Class B MVP honors.
Krissy Mussenden, 5-10 S, Lake Highland (Orlando FL) - An elite national setter, Mussenden led the Highlanders to their fourth state title in a row and was a First Team All State selection in the process. The Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year led Lake Highland with 751 assists, 214 digs and 108 blocks.
Marika Racibarskas, 6-0 S, Chatham (NJ) -- By almost all accounts the state's best pure setter, Racibarskas led Chatham to the Group 2 state title and the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions in 2007. The Penn State recruit had 457 assists, 144 service points, 77 digs, 59 kills, 39 blocks and 23 aces and was runner up to Amanda Alles for state player of the year.
Emily Rochelle, 6-0 MB, Kelly Walsh (Casper WY) -- The state player of the year, Rochelle averaged 17 kills per match (515 total, hitting .450) with 132 blocks, 201 digs and 62 aces for a team that finished second in Class 4A behind better-balanced Natrona County. "She took a very average team as far as Kelly Walsh is concerned and made them the top of the heap, finishing 10-0 in the conference, winning the conference championship, winning the regional championship, and finishing second at state to a team we had dominated in the conference," said coach Jeff Barkell. "She makes everyone around her better."
Rebekah Smith, 6-0 OH, Hutchison (Memphis TN) - A transfer from the University School in Jackson, Smith took a team with a losing record last year to a third-place finish in the Division II state tournament in 2007. A feared hitter, Smith registered 738 kills, 107 aces and 156 blocks for the Sting and earned First Team All State and First Team All Metro honors in the process.
Hayley Spelman, 6-6 RS, Durango (Las Vegas NV) - Spelman had to sit out last year under Nevada's transfer rules, but made a big enough impression in 2007 to be the consensus state player of the year and Nevada's Gatorade award winner. She took Durango from being a mediocre program the last four years to within one win of a large-class state title, amassing 714 kills, 291 digs and 96 blocks. A hard worker who wants to work hard, Spelman went from a tennis player two years ago who wanted to try a team sport to perhaps the state's best ever, a kid being actively recruited by the best schools in the nation. A great kid who is well-respect by her peers and her teachers, Spelman is a high achiever in the classroom as well, where she takes a rigorous college-level curriculum.
Nancy Taylor, 5-9 S, St. Paul's (Mobile AL) - After leading St. Paul's to a second consecutive state 5A title in 2007, Taylor cleaned up in the post-season, winning state tournament MVP honors as well as being named First Team All State, First Team All County and Mobile Press-Register Player of the Year. Statistically, Taylor was off the charts. In 61 matches, she compiled 1,283 assists, 108 aces, 135 kills, 261 digs and 121 blocks. By the time she graduates, she should have a 2,000 assist cushion on the player in second place on the school's career assists list.
Bailey Webster, 6-3 OH, St. Paul's School for Girls (Brooklandville MD) -- Currently regarded as one of the top junior recruits in the country, this high wire act finished the year with 472 kills (averaging 6.4 kills per contest). She was named Metro Player of the Year by the Baltimore Sun after leading private school St. Paul's to the IAAM "A" Conference Title and the championship in the MD/DC Volleyball Championship, where she had 34 kills, 11 digs and 3 blocks. "She is the most humble person I have ever met and certainly a once in a lifetime athlete," said coach Kelli Wilkinson. "I coached at the collegiate level for 8 years before coaching here at St. Paul's, and I have never seen a more talented player."
Written by John Tawa on Monday, 14 January 2008
