Lauryn Shockley has a signature celebration for when Valencia girls volleyball scores. After almost every point, she leaps into the air for a toe-touch jump.
“That specific one started last year in one of our final games,” Shockley said of the celebration. “Coach Ray (Sanchez) pulled the first team out and then put the other girls in and when we were on the sidelines, we were just super excited and supportive and we stated this thing where we would just jump up.”
Soon after, her celebration ended up on the front page of The Signal’s sports section. So she decided to make it a tradition.
Shockley’s jump is the embodiment of her energy: fun, explosive and never-ending.
She was part of a group of talented upperclassmen that took Valencia to the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals, where the team fell to Esperanza in five sets.
“Our goal is obviously to earn a ring … it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but it think there’s definitely a learning experience from that. We stuck together as a team and we fought for every point.”
Two objectives this season for Shockley, who was also a Foothill League co-Player of the Year along with Hart’s Makenna Fall, and an All-CIF Southern Section selection, were to work on her passing and her point-by-point focus.
At the season’s conclusion, she was first on the team in kills with over 300 and first in digs with over 350.
Whenever the team seemed to be lacking motivation, Shockley was always there with a rambunctious kill or block to pump the Vikings up again. She also was clutch in closing out sets, never shying from the chance to score a winning point.
“I know something Coach Ray wanted me to focus on was being at a solid seven (out of 10) energy level,” she said.
“So not too high of an energy level but not too low.”
Shockley will continue her volleyball career at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where she’ll also study exercise science.
She has the goals of earning a starting spot as a freshman and working on becoming a more consistent player.
Her career with Valencia has her well-prepared to take on those goals, but it’s the tight-knit bonds with her teammates that she says she’ll remember most.
“I don’t know what it is, but our team chemistry is always great,” Shockley said. “We always get along well, we respect each other. It just goes a long way with having respect for each other on and off the court and I think that’s what makes the Valencia teams so special.”
All-SCV girls volleyball first team (6)
Lo Russ, Valencia, senior
Russ was out all of last season with a fractured tibia and came back this year without skipping a beat. She finished the season with nearly 300 kills and over 300 digs for the Vikings.
Jess Throckmorton, Valencia, Senior
Throckmorton made her return to high school volleyball after taking last year off. It paid off big time for the Vikings as she accumulated over 250 kills and over 270 digs.
Makenna Fall, Hart, Senior
Fall was a key defensive player for the Indians, breaking the program record with 538 digs. She helped her team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 tournament.
Shelby Grubbs, Hart, Junior
Another record-setter for the Indians, Grubbs totaled 136 blocks for a new program record. At six feet tall, there was hardly a shot Grubbs couldn’t block.
Allison Jacobs, Sophomore, West Ranch
There were times that Jacobs carried her team this season, but her competitive style of play was contagious with her teammates. The UCLA commit ended her sophomore season with 167 kills and 87 digs.
Caitlin Liebe, Saugus, Senior
The Centurions, who fell in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 4 playoffs, were once again led offensively by Liebe. She was first on her team with 375 digs and third on the team with 27 digs.
All-SCV girls volleyball second team (6)
Ashley Cosey, Hart, Senior
Cosey was an offensive spark for the Indians this season. Her kills – which she had 206 of – never failed to energize her teammates and provide an extra push in matches.
Kaelyn White, Valencia, sophomore
Setting up the Vikings pins is a big responsibility, and White handled it with ease. She had nearly 900 assists by the end of the season.
Holly Piroli, Saugus, Senior
Piroli excelled on defense for the Cents with 377 digs – ranking her first on the team in the category. She also added 38 assists.
Grace Ferguson, Saugus, Senior
Ferguson was an all-around contributor for Saugus. Despite playing in only 39 sets, according to MaxPreps, she registered 79 kills and 64 blocks.
Jordan Nunez, Golden Valley, Sophomore
Nunez’s skill this season was a bright spot for a Grizzlies team that struggled this season. Her 164 kills, 40 aces and 127 digs show that Golden Valley has the potential for success in coming seasons.
Aly Grodell, Valencia, Sophomore
Grodell is part of an underclassmen group that the Vikings are sure to be excited about. Her resume from this season included 98 kills (fourth on the team), 35 digs and seven aces.
Honorable mention
Canyon – Sasha Thomas Oakley
Hart – Delaney Gibbs
Golden Valley – Samantha Jarrah
Saugus – Gabrielle Schiesser
SCCS – Kalona Marr
SCVi – Lilly Magno
Trinity – Hannah Caddow
Valencia – Macy Kirkwood
West Ranch – Sophie Bobal
