Hart and Valencia were neck-and-neck throughout the Foothill League season, resulting in a shared title.
Their battle atop the league standings was reflected in the All-Foothill League team, which was released last week, with Lauryn Shockley (Valencia) and Makenna Fall sharing Player of the Year honors.
“I’ve been playing since I was 11,” Shockley said, “and I never thought I’d have a chance to play in college or win an award like this. It makes me thankful for all the work I put in along the way.”
Shockley starred at outside hitter for a Vikings team that reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 tournament. Valencia has won at least a share of the league title each of the last six seasons.
“It wasn’t just one player,” said Shockley, who’s signed to play volleyball at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. “It was really more rewarding to win league and make a playoff run.
“We wanted a ring and that didn’t happen. But it means a lot that I was able to win this thanks to my team.
Fall set Hart’s single-season record with 538 digs this year. Hart lost in the second round of the Division 2 tournament.
Record-breaking seasons landed a pair of Hart players on the league’s first team. Ashley Cosey, who had a school-record 25 kills against Valencia on Sept. 9, and Shelby Grubbs, who broke a single-season record with 136 blocks, made the cut. Cosey is signed to play next season at San Francisco State.
Lo Ross, a UC Irvine signee, and Jessica Throckmorton represented the Vikings on the first team. Saugus, which lost in the first round of the Division 4 tournament, landed seniors Holly Piroli and Caitlin Liebe (Western New Mexico State signee) on the first team.
West Ranch sophomore and UCLA commit Allison Jacobs also made the first team.
2017 All-Foothill League Girls Volleyball Team
Players of the Year
Lauryn Shockley, Valencia, Sr.
Makenna Fall, Hart, Sr.
First Team
Lo Russ, Valencia, Sr.
Jessica Throckmorton, Valencia, Sr.
Ashley Cosey, Hart, Sr.
Shelby Grubbs, Hart, Jr.
Holly Piroli, Saugus, Sr.
Caitlin Liebe, Saugus, Sr.
Allison Jacobs, West Ranch, So.
Second Team
Kaelyn White, Valencia, So.
Alyssa Grodell, Valencia, So.
CJ Catabona, Hart, Jr.
Zoe DiNardo, Hart, Jr.
Grace Ferguson, Saugus, Sr.
Jordan Nunez, Golden Valley, So.
Sophie Bobal, West Ranch, Jr.
Honorable Mention
Sasha Thomas Oakley, Canyon, Jr.
Samantha Jarrah, Golden Valley, Sr.
Kylie Mattson, Hart, Jr.
Gabrielle Schiesser, Saugus, Sr.
Macy Kirkwood, Valencia, So.
Arianna Rumagnano, West Ranch, So.
