Prep Blog

SureWest Sports has named Joey Rollings and Mike Yates as its High School Coaches of the Year for the 2011-12 academic year, SureWest.com host Mike Finnerty announced Friday.

The honors are based on achievement, leadership and sportsmanship.

Rollings led Sheldon to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I three-peat and to a Northern California large-school championship, the only public school in regional history to do so. Sheldon reached the state title game before losing to national power Mater Dei of Santa Ana. Rollings was also named The Bee's 2012 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year following the season.

Sheldon returns a wealth of talent next season and will attempt to become the first boys team in section history to four-peat in D-I.

Yates led Union Mine of El Dorado to a CIF Division IV State Championship, beating La Jolla Country Day near San Diego 3-1 to cap a 32-5 season. Union Mine played - and beat - a number of larger-school teams during the season.

Winning a state volleyball title is difficult as the only other area team to win a state championship at any level was St. Francis in 2005 at Division III. Yates retired from coaching on top. Yates was also The Bee's 2011 Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Also: we join Mike Finnerty on the SureWest Sports Radio Show on Saturday morning from 9-10 a.m. to break down a wild week of baseball playoffs, including several pitching gems such as David Smith tossing a no-hitter for Elk Grove to beat Napa 1-0. Guests include Elk Grove coach Jeff Carlson.

We will also talk about the SureWest Coaches of the Year, the latest on the Jesuit football coaching search and other news and notes.

Here is the link to the SureWest Sports Show page.

The Sacramento Evening Optimist Club will hold boys and girls all-star volleyball games on Friday at Capital Christian High School.

The 5 p.m. boys game - the 15th annual - and the 25th annual girls match to follow feature many of the areas top graduating seniors.

Mike Yates, who led Union Mine to the CIF State Division IV volleyball championship and was The Bee Volleyball coach of the Year last fall, will coach the Girls South Team that includes his own Maddy Berridge, Lea Howton, Jacqueline Swarbrick and Mikayla Tucker, The Bee Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Rocklin's Zachary Dahla has been named a CIF Spirit of Sport Award boys winner for the spring.

The award is given to those athletes heavily involved in their school and community.

Dahla, a three-year player on the Thunder boys volleyball team who made all-Sierra Foothill League honorable mention this season, is Rocklin's student body president and serves as a student representative to the Rocklin Unified School District Board.

He helped Rocklin to a 16-4 record and runner-up SFL finish to Granite Bay this season. The Thunder plays host to Jesuit in Thursday's D-I playoffs. It's a rematch of teams that played in last season's D-I final, won by Rocklin.

    

St. Francis athletes Paige Folger and Kathleen Menz will sign NCAA national letters of intent on April 11, Troubadorus athletic director Kolleen McNamee has announced.

Folger (above, left), headed to Gonzaga, was a member of the Troubadours' Sac-Joaquin Section Division I girls volleyball championship team. The 6-foot-1 senior middle blocker and outside hitter led the 38-6 Troubadours in blocks with 121.

Menz (above, right), a goalie who will sign with Cal, helped the St. Francis girls water polo team reach the D-I section championship match for the eighth consecutive season. The Troubadours lost 8-5 to Davis in the finals.

Devin Herenda, a 5-foot-9 setter from El Camino, is one of PrepVolleyball.com's 18 finalists for national freshman player of the year.

Last fall, the ninth grader helped El Camino to a 37-4 record in earning All-Capital Athletic League and Bee All-Metro honorable mention recognition.

Herenda averaged 12.1 assists per set (1089 total) while adding 169 digs and 79 kills.

Here are the area all-league girls volleyball teams that have been submitted to The Bee. (For corrections, e-mail bpaterson@sacbee.com)

CAPITAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE
MVP - Natalie Riddering, El Camino and Kaylin Squyres, Whitney
Coach of the Year - James Todd, Whitney
Team - Nicole Hareland, Cassidy Deny, Devin Herenda, Megan Lunger, Talia Kazmerack, El Camino; Ariana Garner, Maddie Cannon, Heather Horton, Lauren Kirksche, Jennifer Petrovich, Brooke Watson, Rio Americano; Julia Davena, Whitney.

CAPITAL VALLEY CONFERENCE
MVP: Michelle Hernandez, Bella Vista.
Team: Iris Anderson, Jamie-Lee Budda, Katie Carte, Brennah Gladwell, Tessa Noble and Bernie Swain, Christian Brothers; Brittany Campbell, Hannah Miller and Demi Muses, Casa Roble; Sara Hibbs, Scarlett Loving and Kyndra Trevino-Scott, Bella Vista; Sophi Lozano, Oakmont.

CENTRAL VALLEY CALIFORNIA LEAGUE
CO-MVP:Audrey Boolen, Victory Christian and Hannah Seiver, Woodland Christian.
Team: Taylor Matsumura and Mason Carpenter, Woodland Christian; Molly Huffman, Victory Christian; Morgan Koch, Forest Lake Christian; Kaitlin McCann and Sadie Stroup, Foresthill.

Last fall, Zoe Nightingale was knocking down spikes and blocking shots in earning The Bee Girls Volleyball Player of the Year honors for St. Francis.

This season, as a true freshman, Nightingale has helped UCLA reach the NCAA Division I Final Four at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Nightingale, a Pac-12 All-Freshman honorable mention selection, will play for the ninth-seeded Bruins (28-6) 4 p.m. Thursday against 12th-seeded Flordia State (28-6). Third-seeded Illinois (31-4) plays seventh-seeded USC (29-4) in the 6 p.m. semifinal, with the winners to meet on Saturday for the national title.

The 6-foot-3 Nightingale, a middle blocker, has 116 kills, 59 blocks and is averaging 1.81 points per set for the Bruins.

In the regional semifinals in Lexington, Ky., Dec. 9, UCLA ended Penn State's bid for a fifth consecutive NCAA title with a 3-0 win. Nightingale had three blocks in that match.

The Sac-Joaquin Section today named Diane Heine of Christian Brothers, Kelly Rhoden of Nevada Union, Mike Takayama of Del Oro and Janice Williams of Galt as 2011-2012 section Model Coach award recipients.

Also named were Vacaville's Mike Papadopoulos and Atwater's Roddy Svendsen.

The awards are given to coaches who are positive role models within their schools and community. They will be honored at a breakfast April 17 in Lodi.

Here's a brief synopsis of the area winners, as provided by Will DeBoard, director of communications for the section.

Sophomore Jessica Jones, who led the Dominican University of California women's volleyball team this season in almost every statistical category, has been selected to the All-Pacific West Conference volleyball team.

Jones, a nursing major out of Christian Brothers High School, was named honorable mention.

She was Penguins' leader in sets played (79), kills (164), digs (224) and service aces (20). She averaged a team-best 2.08 points and 2.08 kills per set and set career game-highs for kills (14) and digs (19) twice during the season.

Here is an update of the girls volleyball playoffs after tonight's results, as provided by the Sac-Joaquin Section.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Division I
Quarterfinals/Thursday
St. Francis 3, Enochs 0
Granite Bay 3, Napa 0
St. Mary's 3, Pitman 0
Oak Ridge 3, Monterey Trail 1
Semifinals/Tuesday, Nov. 15
Granite Bay at St. Francis
St. Mary's at Oak Ridge

Division II
Quarterfinals/Thursday
El Camino 3, Lodi 0
Del Oro 3, Ponderosa 1
Rio Americano 3, Bella Vista 0
Rocklin 3, Vacaville 0
Semifinals/Tuesday., Nov. 15
Del Oro at El Camino
Rio Americano at Rocklin

Division III
Quarterfinals/Thursday
Christian Brothers 3, Oakmont 0
Oakdale 3, Gregori 0
Placer 3, Rosemont 0
Vista del Lago 3, El Dorado 0
Semifinals/Tuesday, Nov. 15
Oakdale at Christian Brothers
Placer at Vista del Lago

Division IV
Quarterfinals/Thursday
Escalon 3, Ripon 0
Bear River 3, Sonora 1
Bret Harte 3, Mariposa 0
Union Mine 3, Golden Sierra 0
Semifinals/Tuesday, Nov. 15
Bear River at Escalon
Bret Harte at Union Mine

Division V
Quarterfinals/Thursday
Ripon Christian 3, Turlock Christian 0
Capital Christian 3, Buckingham Charter 0
Le Grand 3, Big Valley Christian 2
Bradshaw Christian 3, Woodland Christian 0
Semifinals/Tuesday, Nov. 15
Capital Christian at Ripon Christian
Le Grand at Bradshaw Christian

Division VI
Semifinals/Thursday
Victory Christian 3, New Life Christian 0
Sacramento Country Day 3, Valley Christian 2
Championship/Thursday, Nov. 17
At UC Davis, 4 p.m.
Victory Christian vs. Sacramento Country Day

By Jeff Caraska
jcaraska@sacbee.com

Best athletic moment: When we beat our rival Antelope this season in four games.

Latest iTunes download: The GatorSports app for the University of Florida.

Favorite dessert: Red velvet cake.

Three Rocklin High athletes will sign NCAA volleyball national letters of intent 10 a.m. on Monday at the school.

They are:

• Matt Laughrea, UC San Diego.
• Cailyn Prewitt, Stetson.
• Katelyn Ivy, Sacramento State.

Five Christian Brothers athletes will sign NCAA National Letters of Intent during a ceremony 8 a.m. Wednesday at the school.

They are:
Elsa Buchmiller, volleyball, Queens University of New York.
Julie Pfeifer, volleyball, Oregon Institute of Technology.
Nichole Cruz, golf, University of Hawaii
Sadie Strain, golf, Santa Clara University
Clare Sorensen, golf, Seattle University

Former Placer High boys volleyball standout Jason Cole has been named the top assistant coach for the women's volleyball team at Dominican University in San Rafael.

Cole has coached varsity volleyball at Turlock, Colfax and Placer high schools. Since 2009, he has assisted with the Northern California Volleyball Club in Sacramento, USA High Performance Volleyball Program and at the Boys High Performance Camp in Tucson, Ariz.

While at Placer, Cole captained a 28-0 junior varsity squad as a middle blocker, then switched to an outside hitter and starred on Placer's varsity team that went 48-0 and won back-to-back league titles in 1995-96. He was the team's MVP his senior year.

The Northern California Volleyball Club 16-1 Black, coached by Oak Ridge's Becky Potter and Rio Americano's John Grix, won the national division silver medal at the USA Volleyball Junior National championships recently in Atlanta, Ga.

Setter Taylor Nelson of Granite Bay, middle hitter Maddie Cannon of Rio Americano and outside hitter Gabriella Palmeri of St. Franics made the all-tournament team. Palmeri has verbally committed to Pepperdine.

Several long-time high school coaches/athletic directors have announced their departures.

• Mondo Alzono, who coached football, track, wrestling and skiing at one time or another at Colfax, has retired from teaching after 38 years at the foothills school. Co-coaching football with Tony Martello from 1996 to 2005, Alonzo helped the Falcons win nine league championships and three section titles.

• Tom Van Der Wende's 29-year career of coaching versatility at Oak Ridge came to a close when he stepped down as the boys volleyball coach. Van Der Wende also coached softball, football, track, girls volleyball and freshmen boys basketball at the El Dorado Hills school.

• Highly respected Kelly Mayo ended a 25-year coaching career in the Roseville Unified School District with his decision to retire as the Woodcreek baseball coach.

• Energetic Monte White, who oversaw one of the area's top athletic programs at Del Oro, has stepped down as athletic director.

Here are some more noteworthy highlights from the 2010-2011 high school sport season to complement Joe Davidson's year-in-review story in today's sports section.

• Legally blind athlete Kym Crosby, a distinctive presence on area tracks because of her bright red hair and pale skin, finishes as River Valley's most accomplished track and field athlete. The Chico State scholarship signee sets school records in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and lands Tri-County Conference MVP honors after winning the triple jump and 400 and finishing second in the 200 at the league finals.

• Sheldon, behind Bee Player of the Year Darius Nelson, plays one of the most ambitious boys basketball schedules in area history, competing in major invitationals in Southern California, Kentucky and Louisiana. The Huskies repeat as D-I section champions, but lose by two points to De La Salle of Concord in a physical NorCal D-I semifinal.

• Davis' Wade Allen wins the Sac-Joaquin Section 50- and 100-yard freestyle swim championships to cap an incredible run of 13 individual section titles by the Allen family. Jake Allen, now swimming at Stanford, won six individual titles; Trevor, now playing water polo at UC Davis, won three and Wade, the youngest, finishes with four titles.

• Area baseball and softball players make the dramatic adjustment to two game-changing new rules. More baseball squads gravitate to small ball as hitters adapt to less explosive composite bats while softball gets an injection of offense with the pitcher's circle moved back three feet.

• Despite graduating all their starters and beginning anew under new coach Paul Hayes, there is no rebuilding for Woodcreek boys basketball. The Timberwolves make a return trip to the CIF Northern California Regional Division II championship game at Power Balance Arena, falling to parochial power Archbishop Mitty of San Jose.

• The Davis girls soccer team, ranked No. 1 nationally most of the season, beats St. Francis to end the Troubadours' three-year reign as D-I champions while another nationally ranked team, Rio Americano, finishes an unbeaten season by beating rival Benicia for the D-III championship.

• With high-profile national recruits Vei Moala and Puka Lopa of Grant leading the way, 28 area players sign NCAA football national letters of intent. Cal and coach Jeff Tedford enjoy the the biggest coup in landing both Moala and Lopa. But the Pac-10 plucks six others - Grant's Darryl Paulo, Burbank's T.J. Poloai and Sheldon's Mansel Simmons to Washington State; Grant's James Sample to Washington; and Folsom's Tyler Trosin to Oregon State.

• Bonded by teamwork and a best-friend unity, Del Oro girls basketball enjoys its greatest run in coach Mike Takayama's momentous 25-year career. Only nationally ranked St. Mary's of Stockton can stop the 27-5 Golden Eagles in the postseason.

• The Davis girls basketball team rebounds from the firing of popular coach Jeff Christian (and the reinstatement of twin stars Malika and Khaliya Wilkins who he had booted for "conduct detrimental to the team") to win the Delta Valley Conference under interim coach Dennis Foster, the first-year athletic director.

• UCLA scholarship signee and St. Francis four-year player Zoe Nightingale finishes as one of the area's all-time greats by earning All-American honors. Only one other St. Francis player has done that, Troubadour coach Alynn Wright's daughter, Taryn Wright.

• Multi-talented Davis senior Ian Rock readies for decathlete duties at Duke by beating a loaded field in the rain to win the boys pole vault with a personal best 16 feet, 2 inches at the CIF State Track and Field championships in Clovis.

- Bill Paterson

Under the tutelage of former Sacramento State women's volleyball coach Debby Colberg, the 14-1 Five Starz volleyball club team has qualified for the American Division of the 2011 USA Volleyball Junior National Championships June 25 through July 4 in Atlanta.

Team members are: Kylie Green, Lauren Overstreet, Devin Herenda, Brooke Watson, Whitney Kuwamoto, Mikaela Nocetti, Meghan Nealon, Isabella Smith, and Kaitlin Meyer of Sacramento and Nastassja Bowman and Skyler Takeda of Vacaville.

Here are the Sierra Foothill League spring all-league teams that were given to The Bee:

GIRLS SOCCER
Co-MVP's: Savannah Coiner, Rocklin; Paige Crouch, Roseville.
All-league: Melanie Bertrand, Rocklin; Megan Hanson, Rocklin; Jessica Santos, Rocklin; Michelle Tran, Rocklin; Shannon Garvella, Rocklin; Amanda Susbilla, Roseville; Adriane Bates, Roseville; Kelsey DeCarlo, Roseville; Kayla Granley, Roseville; Kayla Karlsson, Granite Bay; Christy Cooper, Granite Bay; Maria Dela Cruz, Granite Bay; Amy Schlehofer, Granite Bay; Anna Goddi, Granite Bay; Casey McCavitt, Del Oro; Miranda Bailey, Del Oro; Becky Duncan, Del Oro; Rachel Sloss, Del Oro; Emily Becker, Woodcreek; Kristin Womack, Woodcreek; Lauren Hayano, Woodcreek; Kendra Green, Nevada Union.

BOYS GOLF
All-league: Gearhart, Woodcreek; Smotherman, Del Oro; Ash, Del Oro; Mencaccy, Rocklin; Grizzell, Nevada Union; Pedone, Granite Bay; Gibbs, Granite Bay; Baumgarten, Granite Bay.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Co-MVP's: Grant Currey, Rocklin; Kyle Russell, Del Oro
All-league: Grant Wilson, Rocklin; Matt Laughrea, Rocklin; Brody Cord, Del Oro; Clay Cosbie, Del Oro; Roman Seghezzi, Nevada Union; Trevor Bryant, Nevada Union; Bobby Curtis, Nevada Union; Josh Frost, Roseville; Jake Haakenson, Woodcreek; Anthony Giannotti, Granite Bay; Kyle Howarth, Granite Bay; Jake Neptune, Granite Bay.

Here are the Metro Conference spring all-league teams that The Bee has received:

BASEBALL
MVP: Max Cordy, McClatchy
Coach of the year: Mike DeNecochea, McClatchy
All-league: Nick Marr, McClatchy; Hunter Carolan, McClatchy; Jared James, McClatchy; Dylan Moore, Rosemont; Andre Contreras, Rosemont; Anthony Enriquez, Rosemont; Lee Carter, Sacramento; Brian Kennedy, Sacramento; Justin Beacham, Sacramento; Sal Barajas, Hiram Johnson; Sal Garcia, Hiram Johnson; Richard McGee, Burbank; Josh Vegas, Burbank; Chris White, Florin; Alfredo Arias, Florin; Marcel Thurston, Kennedy.

SOFTBALL
MVP: Aliesha Ayers, Rosemont
Coach of the year: Heidi Pierson, Kennedy
All-league: Kierston Jackson, Rosemont; Jennifer Romo, Rosemont; Melissa Mosqueda, Rosemont; Sara Delso, McClatchy; Cindy Palmeras, McClatchy; Iesley Pilgrim, McClatchy; Caitlyn Seymour, Kennedy; Bianca Rodriquez, Kennedy; Darrian Garnett, Kennedy; Erica Foster, Kennedy; Monika Qiokata, Hiram Johnson; Cheyenne Crump, Burbank; Dee Lee, Valley; Sunshine Gomez, Sacramento.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
MVP: Peter Vang, Valley
All-league: Philip Yang, Kennedy; Alex Ganchenko, Kennedy; Jamon Joe-Smith, Florin; Steve Jones, McClatchy; Alex Chao, McClatchy; Vue Thao, Hiram Johnson; Phillip Nguyen, Valley; Mark Demille, Valley; Chan Bui, Valley; Anthony Jones, Sacramento; Wan Lee, Burbank.

Here are the Delta Valley Conference spring all-league teams reported to The Bee:

Baseball
MVP: J.D. Davis, Elk Grove
Coach of the year: Scott Heinig, Davis
All-league: Josh Cosio, Davis; Ben Eckels, Davis; Galen Hashovksy, Davis; George Hatamiya, Davis; Alec Miramontes, Davis; Ryan King, Elk Grove; Dominic Nunez, Elk Grove; Ryan Tellez, Elk Grove; Jorge Vina, Elk Grove; Tyler Blake, Franklin; Jordan Johnson, Franklin; Josh Pigg, Franklin; Jon Zunich, Franklin; Robert Munoz, Grant; Jonathan Ruiz, Laguna Creek.

Softball
MVP: Shelby Wisdom, Elk Grove
All-league: Emily Glass, Davis; Melanie Habab, Davis; Becky Nakano, Davis; Megan Winton, Davis; Jordan Brenner, Elk Grove; Maryssa Harris, Elk Grove; Jessica Venturelli, Elk Grove; Amanda Absher, Franklin; Sade Estes, Franklin; Chantelle Oakley, Franklin; Makayla Fama, Laguna Creek; Jaime Goodrich, Laguna Creek; Leeza Woods, Laguna Creek; Brehanna Hamilton, Monterey Trail; Shawnyce Talbot, Grant.

Girls soccer
MVP: Anna Maria Gilbertson, Davis
Coach of the year: Allen Carlson, Davis
All-league:Dana Granger, Davis; Jennie Hawkins, Davis; Olivia Muller, Davis; Ali Yule, Davis; Anna Brown, Elk Grove; Lauren Chetner, Elk Grove; Rebecca Pasqual, Elk Grove; Julie Alltop, Franklin; Anastasha Barba, Franklin; Tatyana Garrett, Franklin; Crystal Vega, Franklin; Victoria Vue, Grant; Courtney Jacobs, Laguna Creek; Lydia Jimenez, Laguna Creek; Paris Mazzocchi, Monterey Trail.

Boys volleyball
MVP: Justin Doucetter, Franklin
Coach of the year: Julie Crawford, Davis
All-league: Derrick Coronado, Davis; Jonathan Wardrip, Davis; Brad Altman, Franklin; Kyle Cooper, Franklin; Kameron Tinsley, Franklin; Charles Faraimo, Grant; Greg Grady, Grant; Ilialo Timoti, Grant; Austin Bulda, Laguna Creek; Ashanti Jackson, Monterey Trail; Stedman Saunders, Monterey Trail.

Boys golf
MVP:Jordan Baroody, Davis
All-league: Cjase Dossa, Davis; Charlie Klein, Davis; Patrick Levin, Elk Grove; Brennin Hardy, Franklin; Cody Moore, Franklin; Byron Tam, Franklin; Eric Tam, Franklin.

Boys tennis
MVP: Glenn Hull, Davis
All-league: Andrew Dumit, Davis; Paul Klavins, Davis; Robert Lipman, Davis; Russell Richardson, Davis; Isaac Yee, Davis; Matt Yee, Davis; Chris Paclibar, Elk Grove; Lester Paclibar, Elk Grove; Andrew Amor, Franklin; Sahil Gupta, Franklin; Kevin Ha, Franklin.

Boys swimming
Coach of the year: Stuart Jackson, Franklin
200 medley relay: Harrison Dew-Hiersoux, Andrey Shalnev, Chad Smith, Jacobi Kelly, Laguna Creek. 200 free: Dylan Newsom, Davis. 200 IM: Kyle Nadler, Davis. 50 free: Wade Allen, Davis. 100 fly: Marc Blumberg, Davis. 100 free: Nick Tuttle, Franklin. 500 free: Dylan Newsom, Davis. 200 free relay: Cameron Franke, Kyle Nadler, John Varley, Wade Allen, Davis. 100 back: Connor Stapleton, Davis. 100 breast: Cameron Franke, Davis. 400 free relay: Marc Blumberg, Kyle Nadler, Dylan Newsom, Matt Whittle, Davis.

Girls swimming
200 medley relay: Tara Halsted, Hanna Levien, Beverly Nguyen, Marissa LaFreniere, Davis. 200 free: Rachel Johnson, Davis. 200 IM: Beverly Nguyen, Davis. 50 free: Marissa LaFreniere, Davis. 100 fly: Beverly Nguyen, Davis. 100 free: Rachel Johnson, Davis. 500 free: Tara Halsted, Davis. 200 free relay: Michelle Greenough, Rachel Johnson, Keelia Houston, Beverly Nguyen, Davis. 100 back: Tara Halsted, Davis. 100 breast: Michelle Greenough, Davis. 400 free relay: Marissa LaFreniere, Keelia Houston, Tara Halsted, Rachel Johnson, Davis. Diving: Quetzal Moreno, Franklin.

Boys track and field
100: Courtney Williams, Davis. 200: Shaquille Thompson, Grant. 400: Delvonte Jonson, Monterey Trail. 800: Paul Mohr, Davis. 1,600: Trevor Halsted, Davis. 3,200: Trevor Halsted, Davis. 100H: Nick Martinez, Elk Grove. 300H: Nick Martinez, Elk Grove. 4x100 relay: Shaquille Thompson, Isaiah Taylor, B.J. Edwards, James Sample, Grant. 4x400 relay: Henry Sanders, Lee Leverrier, Spencer Bowen, Alex Zavala, Davis. HJ: Ian Rock, Davis. LJ: Ian Rock, Davis. TJ: Matthew Austin, Davis. PV: Ian Rock, Davis. SP: Nick Denton, Davis. DT: Josh Letuligasenoa, Elk Grove.

Girls track and field
100: Esther Higgwe, Monterey Trail. 200: Esther Higgwe, Monterey Trail. 400: A'Jah Love, Monterey Trail. 800: Sophie Meads, Davis. 1,600: Sophie Meads, Davis. 3,200: Sophie Meads, Davis. 100H: Ciara Levy, Monterey Trail. 300H: Ciara Levy, Monterey Trail. 4x100 relay: Ciara Levy, Esther Higgwe, A'Jah Love, Phoenisha Schuhmeier, Monterey Trail. 4x400 relay: Ciara Levy, A'Jah Love, Esther Higgwe, Desiree Turner, Monterey Trail. HJ: Maddie Trost, Davis. LJ: Brionna Thompson, Franklin. TJ: Rachel Gardner, Monterey Trail. PV: Danielle Gantar, Davis. SP: Sarah Hussey, Elk Grove. DT: Lauren Sens, Elk Grove.

Here are the Delta River League spring all-league teams that were reported to The Bee:

Baseball
MVP: Tyler Evanoff, Ponderosa
Coach of the year: Joe Potulny, Jesuit
All-league: Zach Green, Jesuit; Logan James, Jesuit; Louis Mejia, Jesuit; Brian Celsi, Jesuit; Joe Williams, Jesuit; Chris Muse-Fisher, Oak Ridge; Austin Ales, Oak Ridge; Cole Hansen, Oak Ridge; Jake Wehr, Oak Ridge; Zach Mahon, Oak Ridge; Zach Stilwell, Pleasant Grove; Josh Adams, Pleasant Grove; Garrett Heisinger, Pleasant Grove; Hunter Gallant, Ponderosa; Jerod Bravo, Ponderosa.

Softball
MVP: Danielle Henderson, Sheldon
Coach of the year: Mary Jo Truesdale, Sheldon
All-league: Nicole Clark, Folsom; Jade Matsumoto, Oak Ridge; Kasey Stanchek, Oak Ridge; Janessa Jeppesen, Oak Ridge; Ally Carda, Pleasant Grove; Lindsey Willmon, Pleasant Grove; Amber Murray, Pleasant Grove; Olivia Licatuorto, Ponderosa; Natalie Kessing, Ponderosa; Mary Mumper, St. Francis; Stephanie Heyward, St. Francis; Bailey O'Mara, St. Francis; DeJanee Moore, Sheldon; Alexis Cooper, Sheldon; MeShalon Moore, Sheldon.

Boys golf
MVP: Joel Slack, Folsom
Coach of the year: Carl Massey, Oak Ridge
All-league: Taylor Knoll, Folsom; Chris Macasaet, Jesuit; Patrick Cairns, Jesuit; Ben Corfee, Jesuit; Michael Grenz, Pleasant Grove; Corey Pereira, Ponderosa; Derek Trofimczuk, Ponderosa.

Girls soccer
MVP: Kasey Curtis, St. Francis
Coach of the year: Richard Carrigan, St. Francis
All-league: Danielle Zezoff, Folsom; Marissa Ribeiro, Oak Ridge; Emily Duff, Pleasant Grove; Alyssa Andress, Pleasant Grove; Natalie Hanson, Ponderosa; Aubrey Wimmer, Ponderosa; Michelle Kimball, Ponderosa; Andrea Damian, St. Francis; Haley Hughes, St. Francis; Jennifer Lum, St. Francis; Kayla Nanoo, St. Francis; Megan Smith, Sheldon; Sidney Coleman, Sheldon; Ashari Hines, Sheldon; Christine Platt, Sheldon.

Boys swimming
200 medley relay: Trevor Dong, Dylan Kubick, Brandon Mille, Garrison Yeandle, Oak Ridge. 200 free: Sonny Fierro, Sheldon. 200 IM: Brandon Mills, Oak Ridge. 50 free: Garrison Yeandle, Oak Ridge. 100 fly: Nick Kramer, Jesuit. 100 free: Matt Hamilton, Jesuit. 500 free: Sonny Fierro, Sheldon. 200 free relay: Austin Beckwith, Matt Hamilton, Matt Flodin, Pat Macart, Jesuit. 100 back: Andy Cunningham, Ponderosa. 100 breast: Brandon Mills, Oak Ridge. 400 free relay: Austin Beckwith, Matt Hamilton, Nick Kramer, Pat Macart, Jesuit. Diving: Jacob Crayne.

Girls swimming
200 medley relay: Sydney Johansen, Carissa Metcalf, Cora Stebbins, Alex Rieger, St. Francis. 200 free: Taylor Lehr, Ponderosa. 200 IM: Sydney Johansen, St. Francis. 50 free: Alex Rieger, St. Francis. 100 fly: Kylie Ahnell, Folsom; Annclaire Macart, St. Francis. 500 free: Taylor Lehr, Ponderosa. 200 free relay: Cora Stebbins, Natalie Green, Jessica Poelman, Alex Rieger, St. Francis. 100 back: Sydney Johansen, St. Francis. 100 breast: Carissa Metcalf, St. Francis. 400 free relay: Sydney Johansen, Natalie Green, Carissa Metcalf, Annclaire Macart, St. Francis. Diving: Amy Crayne, St. Francis.

Boys tennis
MVP: Suresh Eswaran, Jesuit
Coach of the year: Pat Ryan, Oak Ridge
All-league: Tanner Scurfield, Folsom; Glen Zhou, Folsom; Gus Orlando, Jesuit; Josh Lin, Jesuit; Avery Moore, Jesuit; Miles Flam, Jesuit; Andrew Hall, Oak Ridge; Nick Atkinson, Oak Ridge; Jimmy Giovannini, Oak Ridge; Tanner Schmutte, Oak Ridge; Kevin Valentine, Ponderosa.

Boys volleyball
Co-MVP's: Branden Torado, Jesuit; Jon Tuttle, Oak Ridge
Coach of the year: Jason Johnson, Jesuit
All-league: Jackson Whitlow, Folsom; Alex Gaskin, Jesuit; Parker Bellinger, Jesuit; Mason Pigman, Jesuit; Jack Hoisington, Oak Ridge; Trent Stigerts, Oak Ridge; Tim Spykerman, Oak Ridge; Griff O'Camb, Ponderosa; Nick Jokerst, Ponderosa; Quyet Phan, Sheldon.

Boys track and field
100: Austin Mitsch, Jesuit. 200: Austin Mitsch, Jesuit. 400: Alex Robards, Ponderosa. 800: Colton Misono, Jesuit. 1,600: Benji Xie, Oak Ridge. 3,200: Benji Xie, Oak Ridge. High hurdles: Zach Youngberg, Oak Ridge. Low hurdles: Zach Youngberg, Oak Ridge. 4x100 relay: Austin Mitsch, Julian Wallace, Zane Westmoreland, Tommy Krotine, Jesuit. 4x400 relay: Jerry Turner II, Malcolm Willis, Devonni Terrell, Andre Woodson, Sheldon. HJ: Will Findlay, Oak Ridge. PV: Troy Osland, Jesuit. LJ: Thomas Sperbeck, Jesuit. TJ: Thomas Sperbeck, Jesuit. SP: Stephen Boals, Jesuit. DT: Stephen Boals, Jesuit.

Girls track and field
100: Cekarri Nixon, St. Francis. 200: Cekarri Nixon, St. Francis. 400: Cekarri Nixon, St. Francis. 800: Samantha Ralstin, Oak Ridge. 1,600: Samantha Ralstin, Oak Ridge. 3,200: Jacqueline Mansoor, Oak Ridge. High hurdles: Shannon Trumbull, Oak Ridge. Low hurdles: Shannon Trumbull, Oak Ridge. 4x100 relay: Tre'ana Johnson, Breanna Smalley, Kacy Corrigan, Mallanie Castillo, Sheldon. 4x400 relay: Brittany Adams, Alexis Davenport, Cami Crawford, Samantha Ralstin, Oak Ridge. HJ: Jessica Gannon, Folsom. PV: Haley Carbullido, St. Francis. LJ: Andrea Furtado, St. Francis. TJ: Danylle Kurywchal, Ponderosa. SP: Kayla O'Brine, St. Francis. DT: Brooke Sperbeck, St. Francis.

Here are the Capital Valley Conference spring all-league teams we have received:

Baseball
MVP: Dustin Vaught, Bella Vista
All-league: Miles Chambers, Rio Linda; Dustin Jenkins, Rio Linda; Brandon Hunley, Christian Brothers; Hunter Dobson, Christian Brothers; Kyle Jones, Oakmont; Jimmy Lunardelli, Oakmont; Jared Virtue, Oakmont; Mike Nantz, Del Campo; Derek Rodigo, Del Campo; Tyler Smith, Del Campo; Ben Brooks, Bella Vista; David Dellaserra, Bella Vista; Tommy Lininger, Bella Vista; Shane Rae, Casa Roble; Chris Stapleton, Casa Roble; Mitch Samson, Casa Roble; Matt Cox, Casa Roble

Softball
MVP: Krystal Aubert, Casa Roble
All-league: Kaitlyn Garcia, Casa Roble; Ali Aguilar, Casa Roble; Madison Zetz, Casa Roble; McKenzie Kenobbie, Casa Roble; Amber Swett, Rio Linda; Jenna Thorne, Rio Linda; Kristin Gross, Rio Linda; Amy Lara, Rio Linda; Hannah Howell, Del Campo; Makayla Props, Del Campo; Jackie Caramazza, Del Campo; Tia Turner, Oakmont; Marisa Andrade, Oakmont; Krista Bedford, Oakmont; Haley Snyder, Christian Brothers; Maddy Grover, Christian Brothers; Hannah Gunter, Bella Vista.

Boys golf
All-league: Andrej Bevins, Christian Brothers; Hunter Rappleye, Christian Brothers; Kit Carson, Christian Brothers; Dylan Fuller, Chrisitan Brothers; Dylan Neal, Casa Roble; Mason Welch, Del Campo; Cory Eddings, Oakmont; Zach Will, Oakmont; Mike Croisetiere, Oakmont; C.J. Wells, Bella Vista.

Girls swimming
200 medley relay: Jenny Miller, Elizabeth Rodgers, Camille Andre, Natalie Miner, Bella Vista. 200 free: Hailey Struckmeyer, Del Campo. 200 IM: Kathleen Schiavenza, Christian Brothers. 50 free: Tabitha Ellsworth, Del Campo. 100 fly: Brittany Rojo, Christian Brothers. 100 free: Brittany Rojo, Christian Brothers. 500 free: Hailey Struckmeyer, Del Campo. 200 free relay: Heather Gordon, Hailey Struckmeyer, Jenner Johnson, Tabitha Ellsworth, Del Campo. 100 back: Stephanie Bedford, Casa Roble. 100 breast: Paige Emery, Bella Vista. 400 free relay: Jenny Miller, Courtney Keene, Paige Emery, Camille Andre, Bella Vista. 1-meter diving: Shelbie Holden, Bella Vista.

Boys swimming
200 medley relay: Steve Barbich, Brett Emery, Naran Lodhia, Alex Peterson, Bella Vista. 200 free: Taylor Nordell, Oakmont. 200 IM: Brett Emery, Bella Vista. 50 free: Alex Peterson, Bella Vista. 100 fly: Steve Barbich, Bella Vista. 100 free: Alex Peterson, Bella Vista. 500 free: Jake Struckmeyer, Del Campo. 200 free relay: Naran Lodhia, Colton Barbich, Tyler Miguel, Alex Peterson, Bella Vista. 100 back: Jake Struckmeyer, Del Campo. 100 breast: Brett Emery, Bella Vista. 400 free relay: Tyler Miguel, Savo Gojkovich, Austin Stevenson, Brett Emery, Bella Vista. 1-meter diving: Naran Lodhia, Bella Vista

Boys track and field
MVP: Robby Templeton, Christian Brothers
Most Outstanding Track: Robert Pflasterer, Del Campo
Most Outstanding Field: Kevin Logue, Bella Vista
100: Robby Templeton, Christian Brothers. 200: Robby Templeton, Christian Brothers. 400: Anthony Hernandez, Casa Roble; Jared Powell, Bella Vista. 800: Edixon Puglisi, Oakmont; David Silvert, Bella Vista. 1,600: Robert Pflasterer, Del Campo; Jordan Rushing, Del Campo. 3,200: Robert Pflasterer, Del Campo. High hurdles: Anthony Castaneda, Christian Brothers. Low hurdles: Derrick Booth, Oakmont. 4x100 relay: Aaron Terrell-Byrd, Andrew Stoltenberg, David Hudnall, Robby Templeton, Christian Brothers. 4x400 relay: Daniel Cattolica, Adam Ciszewski, Jared Powell, David Silvert, Bella Vista. HJ: Kevin Logue, Bella Vista. PV: Lishen Lu, Oakmont. LJ: David Kulp, Del Campo. TJ: Anthony Castaneda, Christian Brothers. SP: Deandre Porter, Casa Roble. DT: Nelson Quinley, Oakmont.

Girls track and field
MVP: Jazmine Harper, Oakmont
Most Outstanding Track: Marisa Carino, Oakmont
Most Outstanding Field: Angie Charles, Bella Vista
100: McKenzie Sup, Bella Vista. 200: Jazmin Harper, Oakmont. 400: Jazmin Harper, Oakmont. 800: Marisa Carino, Oakmont. 1,600: Marisa Carino, Oakmont. 3,200: Sara Lack, Bella Vista. High hurdles: Sophia Vivaldi, Bella Vista. Low hurdles: Elise Stevens, Bella Vista. 4x100 relay: Lauren Bush, Li Lim, Audrey Lohmeyer, McKenzie Sup, Bella Vista. 4x400 relay: Kat Bailey, Madison Sabini, Amber Bunyard, Kellie Schmitt, Casa Roble. HJ: Sarah Reinhardt, Bella Vista. PV: Angie Charles, Bella Vista. LJ: Jazmin Harper, Oakmont. TJ: Michelle Hernandez, Bella Vista. SP: Leah Parrish, Bella Vista. DT: Keanna Velez, Bella Vista.

Boys tennis
MVP: Jonathan Limhengco, Christian Brothers
All-league: Matt Alves, Casa Roble; Kyle Coates, Oakmont; Chris Deeble, Bella Vista; Dennis Costache, Bella Vista; Christian Serafin, Bella Vista; Winston Limhengco, Christian Brothers; Ryan Peebody; Zach Paiva, Oakmont; Andrew Meyer, Casa Roble; Ryan Jelicich, Casa Roble; Kyle Bakkie, Del Campo; Vince Bartsch, Del Campo; Serge Tsogtbaatar, Rio Linda.

Boys volleyball
MVP: Ryan Siu, Oakmont
All-league: David Dalisey, Christian Brothers; Kent Makishima, Oakmont; Luke Turner, Oakmont; Ryan Peabody, Christian Brothers; Anthony Gibson, Pioneer; Sean Standley, Del Campo; Tim Cook, Oakmont; Travis Limeberger, Christian Brothers; Sean Steimel, Christian Brothers; Forrest Gay, Pioneer; Joseph Lee, Rio Linda.

Girls soccer
MVP: Maddie Easterbrook, Bella Vista
All-league: Maria Huato, Rio Linda; Adriana Zuniga, Rio Linda; Cecilia Tapia, Casa Roble; Demi Muses, Casa Roble; Miami Whitehouse, Del Campo; Brooke Bermudez, Del Campo; Madison Nagle, Del Campo; Kayla Powers, Oakmont; Jena Tague, Oakmont; Katie Carte, Oakmont; Kendall Boshart, Oakmont; Jessica Small, Christian Brothers; Ellisa Munoz, Christian Brothers; Marisa Cuevas, Christian Brothers; Haley Hatfield, Christian Brothers; Ashlee Difuntorum, Christian Brothers; Chelsea Lewandowski, Bella Vista; Sarah Avery, Bella Vista; Moressa Lindsey, Bella Vista; Julia Platter, Bella Vista; Jordyn Delaney Bella Vista.

By Joe Davidson
jdavidson@sacbee.com

Some familiar names were honored again for all the right reasons.

Folsom High School quarterback Dano Graves was presented with the "Art Savage" award as the region's Sacramento River Cats High School Athletes of the Year. Savage was the beloved owner of the River Cats, who this season again play in his honor.

The "V" award winner is St. Francis volleyball star Zoe Nightingale, in honor of the late Vicki McDermott, wife of longtime Bee reporter and prep historian Mark McDermott, who presented Nightingale before Sunday's River Cats game at Raley Field.

Graves shattered regional and state records records for a Bulldogs team that stormed to a 14-1 record and won the State CIF Division II championship. Graves accounted for a stunning 85 total touchdowns, a state record that vaulted him to Bee Player of the Year honors and MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.

Known for his leadership, drive and instincts, Graves is off to Air Force to play the position.

Nightingale was The Bee's volleyball Player of the Year after powering the Troubadours into the NorCal playoffs. A leader in performance and in academic standing, Nightingale was a four-year starter who now heads to UCLA on scholarship.

Per sport, the finalists for boys Athlete of the Year were:

* Chris Kigar, El Camino, cross country and track
* J.D. Davis, Elk Grove, baseball (Cal State Fullerton)
* Jake Elliott, Oakmont, wrestling
* Nick Blaser, Roseville, football, basketball and baseball

Per sport, the girls finalists:

* Ally Carda, Pleasant Grove, softball (UCLA)
* Keelie Houston, Davis, water polo (UC Davis)
* Belle Obert, Del Oro, basketball and volleyball (Butler)
* Danielle Henderson, Sheldon, softball (Cal)

By Joe Davidson
jdavidson@sacbee.com

Belle Obert of Del Oro and Kyle Howarth of Granite Bay are the SureWest Sports Show Athletes of the Year, it was announced this week.

Show host Mike Finnerty said he based his selection criteria on impact on multiple sports, grade-point average, leadership and character. In these two, SureWest found gem winners in these seniors rooted in Placer County.

Obert was a Bee All-Metro selection in volleyball and basketball, a force at the net in the fall and a force on the boards and low block in basketball as she helped power both teams into the playoffs.

Obert has a 4.2 GPA and will attend Butler University this fall on a volleyball scholarship.
Howarth, also a 4.2 student, was a first-team All-Sierra Foothill League pick in three sports. He keyed Granite Bay's Sac-Joaquin Section Division II soccer title run. The Grizzlies finished No. 5 nationally. In basketball, his 8.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game helped lead the Grizzlies into the D-I NorCal playoffs.

And in the spring, Howarth led the SLF co-champions. He is off to UC Davis to study medicine.

Both athletes will be interviewed - with highlights of their senior seasons - on the May 24 SureWest Sports Show.

Click here for more information...
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/357994/f95eac672f/1471000028//

Two Sac-Joaquin Section boys volleyball championship matches will be held Thursday at Jesuit High School.

Vista del Lago will play Valley in the 5:30 p.m. Division II final. Jesuit plays Rocklin in the 7:30 p.m. D-I championship.

Jesuit advanced with a 3-1 win over Oak Ridge and Rocklin downed Del Oro 3-1 in semifinals on Tuesday.

Vista del Lago topped Antelope 3-0 and Valley beat Union Mine 3-1 in the D-II semifinals.

- Bill Paterson

Two Force Volleyball Club of Sacramento teams have qualified for the open division of the 2011 USA Volleyball Junior National Championships June 25 through July 4 in Atlanta.

Both Force teams earned their bids competing at the Far Western Junior National Qualifier in Reno over the past two weekends. Force 18-1's, coached by Alynn Wright of St. Francis High School, won their Junior National bid by taking fifth place in the Open Division.

Force 14-1's, coached by Todd Tkachuk, won their bid by taking fourth place in the Open Division at Far Westerns.

Team members are:
Force Sac 18-1 - Ellie Selleck, Nevada Union; Bailey Humes and Isabelle Obert, Del Oro; Vanessa Edwards, Cordova; Zoe Nightingale, St. Francis; Lauren Orozco, Rocklin; Katie Vaughn, Oak Ridge; Jazmine Williams, Sheldon; Simone Durham, Roseville.

Force Sac 14-1 - Jessica Blum, Silverado; Anna Donald, Sacred Heart; Ashley Sutter, St. Rose; Allyson Wubben, W.T. Eich; Madeleine Merlino, St. Ignatius; Jessica Yarnon, Buljan; Rachel Moore, St. Ignatius; Kyra Rogers, Buljan; Elizberth Wagstaff, Arden Middle; Amanda Roberts, Lyman Gilmore; Brooke Hershberger, Olympus; Abby Jensen, Buljan.

-Bill Paterson

Sixteen of Northern California's tops boys volleyball teams, including nationally ranked De La Salle of Concord, will compete in Saturday's Brian Nolan Varsity Invitational at Granite Bay and Oakmont high schools.

De La Salle is ranked No. 35 in the ESPN Rise Fab 50 national rankings.

Among the area teams entered are Granite Bay, Rocklin, Nevada Union, Jesuit, Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Oakmont, Laguna Creek, Elk Grove and Capital Christian.

Out-of-area teams joining De La Salle are Los Gatos, St. Francis of Mountain View, Foothill of Palo Cedro and Chico.

Matches start at 8 a.m. Playoffs will start at 2 p.m.

Bill Paterson

By Joe Davidson
jdavidson@sacbee.com

Zoe Nightingale, The Bee's Player of the Year in girls volleyball, leads a group of local players named to the MaxPreps 2010 All-State teams.

Nightingale, a senior middle blocker, had 423 kills, 88 blocks, 360 digs and 47 aces for St. Francis High School, earning her spot on the Division I team.

Lianna Sybeldon of Ponderosa, a junior middle blocker, made the second team. She had 295 kills, 19 serving aces and 120 digs.

Natalie Riddering, an outside hitter from El Camino, made first-team D-II after scoring 428 kills, 65 aces, 32 blocks and 194 digs. She was named All-Metro by The Bee.

She was joined on the first team by Rocklin senior Lauren Orozco, who led the Thunder to the Sac-Joaquin Section title.

Belle Olbert of Del Oro, a senior outside hitter, made the D-II second team.

Katie Christner of Golden Sierra was a first-team D-III pick. A junior outside hitter and Bee All-Metro pick, Christner had 433 kills and 329 digs.

Bradshaw Christian senior outside hitter Patricia Orozco made second-team D-IV. She had 306 kills and 212 digs.

Funniest athletic moment: Last week against Ripon, the lights went out in the middle of the match. When they came back on, players had fallen on the floor.

Latest iTunes download: "World Goes Around," by Slightly Stoopid.

"If I had $1 million, I'd": Save for college, donate to charity and help out my friends and family. Last movie: "Salt."

Favorite food: Spaghetti.

Dream college: Miami.

Sport I'd like to try: Gymnastics.

If I could have one superpower, it would be: To jump as high as possible.

TV show I can't miss: "Desperate Housewives."

I love to compete because: I can show people that I'm better than they think I am.

People may not know that I can't: Touch my toes.

A skill I wish I had: To sing well.

I would love to meet: Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh.

My best advice is to: Always go for things because you never know what you can do unless you try.

Take everything, just leave me my: iPhone.

– Jeff Caraska

This week's Top 20 rankings for Sacramento-area volleyball teams is unchanged through the top 12 teams.

THE BEE'S VOLLEYBALL TOP 20

School Rec. Last (Records through Monday)

1. Rocklin 19-1 1

2. Del Oro 18-1 2

3. Union Mine 13-1 3

4. Vista del Lago 9-1 4

5. El Camino 13-2 5

6. St. Francis 9-4 6

7. Rio Americano 13-2 7

8. Granite Bay 12-6 8

9. Nevada Union 14-3 9

10. Ponderosa 6-8 10

11. Oak Ridge 7-6 11

12. Placer 5-4 12

13. Colfax 9-4 14

14. Bella Vista 5-3 15

15. Roseville 4-4 13

16. Christian Brothers 7-4 17

17. Bear River 12-3 -

18. Golden Sierra 5-6 18

19. Casa Roble 8-3 19

20. El Dorado 6-4 -

Dropped out: Pleasant Grove, Monterey Trail.

- John Parker