The Register’s All-County girls volleyball team for the 2014 season.
FIRST TEAM ALL-COUNTY
LINDSEY RUDDINS
Aliso Niguel, Senior, OH
The Register’s player of the year. Read more about Ruddins.
PAYTON CARTER
Corona del Mar, Junior, L
Carter made huge strides this year. Her consistency on defense and in passing helped set her apart this season. She recorded 270 digs. “She’s a very high level libero,” CdM coach Steve Astor said. “She’s a good serve-receive passer, and what makes her stand out is how much range she has. It was tough for teams to serve her. She covers so much of the court and she affects the game so much.” Carter earned first-team honors in the Pacific Coast League.
PAYTON CHANG
Mater Dei, Senior, S
Coach Dan O’Dell referred to Chang as the “glue” for this year’s team. During the early stages of the season, she was the best offensive threat for the Monarchs. As the season progressed, her play showed great improvement from last year. “An important thing for a setter is to have great location,” O’Dell said. “And she was so consistent. This year, her confidence was greater and she was a lot more vocal and that’s what you want from a leader at that position.” She had 220 kills, 36 total blocks, 288 digs and 681 assists. Chang is headed to Stanford.
KATIE CRAIG
Corona del Mar, Senior, OH
Filled the void as the Sea Kings’ senior leader, helping them to the Pacific Coast League title and to the CIF-SS Division 1AA semifinals. “She was big for us in more ways than one,” CdM coach Steve Astor said. “She didn’t miss a beat making the transition from outside 2 to outside 1. She set the tone by how hard she plays and the team followed her lead.” Craig was co-MVP in the Pacific Coast League. She recorded 347 kills, 164 digs and 25 blocks. She also earned all-CIF honors. She is headed to Colorado State as a preferred walk-on.
ALYSE FORD
Mater Dei, Senior, OH
Ford transferred to Mater Dei and had to sit out an extended period, but when she hit the court, she did not disappoint. “She was everything we thought she would be and more,” Coach Dan O’Dell said. “We knew she was going to carry the offense at one point and she was an amazing attacker.” Ford led the Monarchs with 326 kills in 60 sets. She had a 51 percent kill percentage and finished with a hitting percentage of .404. Ford also had 166 digs. “In system or out, she almost took the pressure off of our passing, and we were still able to generate offense with her.” Ford is headed to USC. She was selected co-player of the year in Division 1AA.
PEYTON GRAHOVAC
Villa Park, Senior, MB
Grahovac again proved to be one of the top threats out of the middle, finishing with 496 kills. She also had 108 blocks and 147 digs. Grahovac, who is headed to Long Beach State, was the Crestview League MVP and earned first-team all-CIF honors. Grahovac helped lead the Spartans to the league title and the CIF-SS Division 1A semifinals. “We couldn’t have done it without her,” assistant coach Drew Wetzler said. After a strong junior year, Grahovac returned this season primed for big things. “She got more physical and stronger and that made her raise her game up,” Wetzler said.
KATHRYN PLUMMER
Aliso Niguel, Jr., Opp.
Plummer is one of the better all-around players in the county. Her development was a key reason the Wolverines won the CIF-SS Division 1A title. “Last year, she was still struggling a bit, but this year, I couldn’t believe the skills and disposition that she displayed,” Aliso Niguel coach DP Butler said. She displayed her all-around game throughout the season. Plummer had 244 kills, 34 aces, 123 digs and 472 assists. In the CIF-SS final against Santiago of Corona, Plummer had 23 kills, six blocks, 11 digs and 20 assists.
BRITTANY WELSH
Mater Dei, Sr., MB
One of best blockers in the county, Welsh was also a consistent offensive force for the Monarchs. Welsh finished with 192 kills and 122 total blocks. “When we were in system and if she got that perfect set, everyone saw what she could do,” Mater Dei coach Dan O’Dell said. “She was our shutdown middle. She’s big, long and slowed the other teams down.” Welsh earned first-team all-Trinity League honors. She is headed to LSU in the fall.
2014 ALL-COUNTY GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:
Aliso Niguel’s Ruddins in 2014 girls volleyball player of the year
SVC’s Stratton is 2014 girls volleyball coach of the year
2014 All-County girls volleyball: second, third, fourth teams
The Register’s All-County teams were selected using a combination of reporter observations and coaches’ input.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
