Volleyball player of the year: Laguna Beach's Hutchinson
The senior led the Breakers to their second consecutive Division II-AA title.
Laguna Beach coach Lance Stewart saw something special in Dana Hutchinson from the first time she stepped on the court as a freshman.
Aside from the athleticism, Hutchinson had “that” quality that every coach wishes all of the players had.
“She had a special will to compete,” Stewart said. “Every drill (in practice), she wanted to win. … She was just an extremely hard worker.
She continued to play that way throughout her four years at Laguna Beach, culminating this season with The Register's player of the year award.
“I really want to win, no matter what,” Hutchinson said. “Even if you're losing, you might as well as play and get the best out of every point.”
Hutchinson led the Breakers to their second consecutive CIF-SS Division II-AA title and also a berth in the CIF State Southern California Regional Final this season.
All of this came after a 1-5 start by the Breakers. The turnaround moment came in a four-game victory over Santa Margarita in which Hutchinson had 24 kills, 27 digs and five blocks.
She finished the season with 510 kills, tops in the county. She also tallied 326 digs.
“She showed up every night ready to play,” Stewart said. “She put away a ton of ball and led us to great victories and championships.”
Hutchinson signed with Arizona. She said that she didn't have a dream school going into the process of picking a college. She took several recruiting trips mostly at the behest of her parents and eventually fell in love with the Wildcats.
“It works well,” she said of Arizona. “I wanted to get out of the state and I certainly didn't want to freeze.”
College freshman are usually counted on to perform quickly and Stewart believes that Hutchinson will be ready.
“She's not your prototypical 6-3 or 6-4 banger,” he said. “But she's quick and athletic. She can hit a quick set. I think her athleticism will set her apart on the next level.”
Arizona coach Dave Rubio is counting on Hutchinson to produce next season.
“Her volleyball aptitude is so high and her feel for the game allows her to see and play the game in slow motion,” he told the Wildcats' website. “She is a very complete six-rotation player, and I can see her coming into our program and making an impact immediately.”
As for her first day at practice at Laguna Beach as a freshman, Hutchinson remembers it this way.
“I was totally intimidated,” she said. “I thought that I wouldn't make varsity.”
She did and the rest is Laguna Beach history.
“I have a picture on my wall with her as a little freshman with (former player) Stephanie Darnall,” Stewart said. “I can't believe it is over.”
As for that first day at practice as a freshman, here is how Hutchinson's remembers: “I was totally intimidated. …I thought that I probably wouldn't make varsity.”
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
