Unsung hero: Madison Orton

By Jennifer Hernandez

Left-handed players in any given sport grab the attention of fans, simply because it is a different look to something that is typically familiar to them. For Ironwood Eagle right-side Madison Orton, being a lefty comes naturally.

Playing opposite sophomore setter Kristy Friesen, Orton not only has the responsibility of providing the team’s offense with an attack, but also has to pass balls up and step in for the second ball, when Friesen is unavailable to get to it.

When in serve-receive, Orton is often targeted on the serve and she is successful in getting the pass up to Friesen nearly every time. She is a confident player who works hard and makes her ethic apparent on the court.

“Madison brings consistency,” head coach Kathy Wilson said. “She is a player that comes out hard every day and I can count on her to make the big play offensively or defensively. She also brings quite a bit of leadership.”

Orton does not care about receiving any credit for her accomplishments. She plays every point for her team and wants to do what she can to help their team succeed.

“I don’t believe Madison necessarily plays the game for accolades,” Wilson said. “She plays it purely because she is passionate about it and because she quietly gets the job done on a nightly basis. People are starting to take notice of that.”

Wilson describes Orton as a player you do not often hear too much about.

“Madison is the type of player that doesn’t like to stand around and talk about what we are going to do, she just wants to get started doing it. Sometimes, that is the best kind of leader to have, one who leads by their actions,” Wilson said. “She typically doesn’t have to say much. She just gets the job done. She has a great attitude, works well within a team and is well respected.”

Wilson believes Orton is a great teammate and a pleasure to coach, simply because she is on the court for everyone else.

“She is out there for the pure love of the game, her teammates, and pride in her school and herself,” Wilson added.

                                           

Ironwood right-side hitter, Madison Orton, plays a vital role in the Eagles’ success. She provides opponents with a solid attack from the opposite side.

 

Boys volleyball grows in West Valley through Club Zia

By Jennifer Hernandez

For years, the rumors of boys high school volleyball coming to the Peoria Unified School District have been circling around and it was not until recently the boys programs made their way into the schools.

Six years ago, boys volleyball began at the club level in programs such as Club Zia. Jenny Croxford, boys volleyball director for Club Zia, jumped on board three years ago with the club. She had a plan to get more boys involved and help the sport grow in the West Valley.

Croxford began coaching boys simply by accident, but continues due to the environment and connection she shares with her team.

“They work at a little faster pace and it is a little more intense than girls,” she said.

After coaching girls early in her volleyball career, Croxford said the boys seem to be more self-motivated

“When I first started, I was more of a cheerleader for them,” Croxford said. “They are harder on themselves and discipline themselves, so that was great.”

The program is growing every year. Last year, Croxford coached the 18s and the club also had a 16s team. She had 12 boys on her team and said the numbers increase as the high school programs evolve.

“We get a lot of our guys from high school volleyball who want to work during the off season,” she said.

Croxford said a lot of her players arrive on try-out days through word of mouth from previous players with the club, or high school teammates.

“The kids at school see the guys who are doing well on the court and ask them where they learned to play, and they bring them to try-outs and the team just continues to grow,” she said.

Croxford believes there are great opportunities for interested high school boys volleyball players to receive college scholarships. She encourages players who are not involved in a spring sport at their school to join the team.

“The club season competes with football and the high school season is hard to draw interested players because most young guys play baseball growing up and they run in the same season,” Croxford said.

At first, Croxford said, many of the players would get hassled by their friends who believed boys did not play volleyball. But, she said, they would get those boys to come out and they gained a lot of respect for the players once they realized it is not an easy thing to do and is a lot of fun.

“The first and second year I coached were very different,” Croxford said. “The first year, dedicated players came out, and the second year, they told their friends, who were not going anywhere in baseball or just not involved in a spring sport, and the high school program grew,” she said.

The programs at the high school level draw very large crowds and are intense games. With Club Zia try-outs arriving Sept.1, Croxford hopes the boys programs will continue to grow.

“There is no experience needed; they can just come out, and without any set skills,” she said. “It is a great way for them to learn, make new friends and get ready for the school season.”

 

Johnson Accepts CSUSB Scholarship

Megan Johnson has accepted a scholarship to play for Coach Kim Cherniss at the University of California at San Bernadino

"We are really excited that Megan has selected CSUSB as her top choice for college." Cherniss said. "We think she is a super fit for us as an athlete.  But, more importantly, we are truly sold on who she is as a teammate and a competitor, She is the type of person we think would represent our University and Volleyball Program in a great way."

"What really sold me was how committed Megan was to finding the right fit for college." Cherniss adds. " She made the effort to come to camp (and it was a commuter camp!), and then set about to show us her wonderful volleyball skills and potential. She has a great arm, and I really like the way she hits off one foot.  Great kid!"

Johnson was on the Zia 18-Alliance team that won the Region Open title in 2007. She was also on the Cactus High School 4A State Championship team in 2006 and on the Cactus High State winning basketball team in 2006. She also participates in track.

Congratulations to Megan and the Johnson family.

 

PrepVolleyball Honors Alliance!

PrepVolleyball.com, the leading website for Club and High School volleyball on the world wide web recently named Zia's 18-Alliance as the #48th best Club team in the United States for 2007, and the top Arizona team. Congratulations to Jami, Giovana and the fabulous girls that made up this special team.

 

 

Unsung hero: Kristen Matheson finds glory

   By Jennifer Hernandez

Volleyball fans get fired up for hard kills and serving aces, but seldom do the setters ever receive glory for their accuracy, precision or vision of the court. For Centennial setter Kristen Matheson, flying under the radar is just fine.

“I get to have my hand on the ball every play, so that makes my job exciting,” Matheson said.

Matheson enjoys setting because she can run the court.

“I know my hitters and what they are capable of,” she said. “So, when they get a kill, I feel like I get one too.”

The Coyotes run a 6-2 lineup, which means they have two different setters in their rotation.

“It gives me a chance to get out of the game and collect myself if I am struggling or just need a rest,” Matheson said.

While other teams may only have one full-time setter, Centennial has a big advantage over their opponents as they get into games four and five.

“Having us both out there allows us to bring out twice the energy, every time we step out onto the court,” Matheson said.

Matheson admits her job is tough, especially when her passers are having a bad day.

“I have to be quick and expect the balls not to be a perfect pass, so I can figure out how to get to it,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like I am all over the court, but that is my job, and typically, my passers are great.”

Plays are either designated prior to the serve or called out during a rally.

“If we can get a good pass off a kill or serve, our hitters and I have an understanding that we can run a quick set,” Matheson explained.

The average person may overlook all the work it takes to back up a hitter. As a setter, you not only have to get to every second ball, but also be ready on defense and be smart enough to know who is on the other side of the net. It is vital to keep sets consistent so the hitters can get their kills and earn points.

“When we put everything together, it is glory for the team, not the individual,” Matheson said.

Matheson believes her team has great chemistry and they are really good about encouraging each other. She said they work on building each other up and understanding each other, so they each can play to their potential.

“For me, understanding all of my hitters allows me to know where to set the ball,” she said.

Matheson focuses on being a good team player and helping people back up when they are down.

“I always encourage them when someone is down,” she explained.

One of Matheson’s favorite sets to put up is her slide. She said it is a tricky play and often catches their opponents off guard. Matheson said this season is going well for the Coyotes. She hopes to earn scholar-athlete once again and said she will play her best every night for her team and if she gets recognition for a region honor, she will take it.

Kristen Matheson scored two serving aces

against the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions

in a five-game loss earlier this season.

 

Unsung Hero Kelli Heenan- Getting the perfect pass

Back row players on the volleyball court never seem to get recognition from the average volleyball fan. Their only job is to pass and how hard can it reallly be? All the players on the court understand that it is the most important aspect in running a productive offense.

For Cactus High School defensive specialist Kelli Heenan being left out of a newspaper article or not receiving region honors can be tough but she said the recognition from her team is all she needs to keep going.

"I like being left out of the spotlight," Heenan explains. "Even after games when my friends or people in school come up to me to congratulate me I get embarrassed."

The average person may not know Heenan has the ability to forsee into the next play as well as set up her team before they even realize a hitting opportunity has been created. If she can read the pass, set and block coming from the other side she can position herself in the perfect spot.

"It is so much to read back there but it can get really exciting if you are right on," Heenan said.

Heenan said, as their opponent sends over a freeball she can hear all the Cobra hitters chattering with the setter, calling for set plays and specific hits. Most might see the freeball and think it is the easiest ball to set up, but Heenan believes otherwise.

"Freeballs can be the easiest, but the hardest to get off," she said.

In high school volleyball freeballs are often overpassed or misdirected. Heenan said that's why you have to stay focused and make the easy pass.

Staying out of the spotlight leaves less pressure on Heenan, but she believes it is only because her coach, Lindsay Patterson, demands perfection.

"It makes it easier to pass out there when I know that coach expects me to get the pass up instead of thinking that maybe she does not think I will be able to," she said. "She knows how important the pass is and she encourages all the back row players."

Back row is a differnent look for Heenan who has played varsity all four years. On her club team she is a kill leader and says it's weird to go from front row offense to back row defense. However, playing back row gives her an advantage in club because she is able to scout hitters. Heenan said her game is all mental.

"It's easy but the mental part can break down any player who does not stay positive and bounce back from a bad pass," she said.

The Cobra team is diverse and everyone on the court can pass from Heenan to middle hitter Megan Johnson.

"If things get a little rough for us back there coach gives us a break and someone else steps in to pass," Heenan explained. "We come back from the break and just go for it again."

Heenan is a big part of the Cobras success. In last year's state championship win passing was key as well as solid digs from big opposing hitters.

Heenan has earned small honors in her eyes but the reality of Scholar-Athlete and Honorable Mention on the region team are great achievements.

While big kills and huge blocks will always turn the heads of fans Heenan likes her job in the back row.

"All I do is try to make a perfect pass to set things up," she said.

 

 

 

Zia's Clark signs with GCC

Zia's 18-Alliance setter Brittany Clark has accepted a scholarship and signed a letter of intent to play for Glendale Community College next fall for Coach Lisa Stuck.

Clark, who won a State title as a sophomore at Mountain Ridge High School, was also a member of the Region's High Performance Youth Team in 2005. She will join fellow Alliance team mate Kim Moses who signed in October with the Gauchos.

Congratulations to Brittany and the Clark Family.

 

Chamberlin signs with Mayville State

Former Zia standout Jennifer Chamberlin, who finished a stellar two year career at Phoenix College has signed and accepted a scholarship to attend Mayville State University in North Dakota.

Chamberlin was a defensive force for the PC Bears amassing 318 digs and 121 blocks in two seasons. Offensively, Jenny was a daunting force with 332 kills and a 23% hitting percentage during her career at Phoenix College.  

“Jenny will be a great addition to our team,” comments Coach Maxine Mehus. “She adds size to our front line as well as great blocking at the net.”

Chamberlin played for Zia in 2003-2004 and is a graduate of Ironwood High school. Congratulations Jenny.

 

Mohn, Depue join USA Libero at HP

Katie Mohn and Lacee Depue worked with USA National Team libero Nicole Davis at the Arizona Region 2007 High Performance Camp held at Phoenix College July 18-20th. The camp was led by Erikka Gulbranson, a National Team youth and Junior Assistant coach since 2000.

Zia Contingent Takes Brian Autry Memorial Tournament

Members of Zia's 15-Elite team joined forces with some other stellar ballers and won the Brian Autry Memorial Volleyball tournament held at Sunrise Mountain High School June 8th.

Kayla Ek, Katie Rutherford, Holly Pavoggi and Tory Gregory were among the 7 girl team that went undefeated in the tournament. Congratulations to these young ladies.

               

 

Zia Captures Region Open Title

The Zia 18-Alliance behind coach Jami Rolfes and Giovanna Melo shook off the loss of two starters and finished what they started by topping the Club Red 18's team in three sets and winning the 18 Open Championship at ASU on May 12th.

Despite playing without All-State performers Sarah Reaves and Brittany Clark who were competing in the State Track championships, the team hunkered together and, as Rolfes commented, "played like a team" and won Zia's first Open Championship.

 

Zia's 15 Elite Prove It!

Take Championship 16's Title

Zia's 15-Elite team, coached by Kristin Marin and Autumn Baker lived up the the name they gave themselves at the season's beginning by topping the #1 seeded Molten 16's team in the semifanals and then dropping the Az. Storm 15-1s in the final to claim the 16's AAA division Championship at Highland High School on May 5th. Congratulations to Kristin, Autumn and this group of amazing athletes on a dream season.

 

Anderson Joins the Ranks of the Cougars

18-Alliance libero Michele Anderson had a surprise for South Mountain Coach Pat Mooney at the region's May 24th beach tournament.

She committed verbally to the 2008 South Mountain Community College Volleyball team right there on the sand, and Mooney couldn't have been more pleased.

                                

Anderson is the second member of the Region's 18 Open Championship team to commit to Mooney's renovation of the program. Madison Orton verbally committed in mid-April.

Congratulations Michele and the Anderson family!

Orton Commits To South Mountain C.C.  

Madison Orton, a life time Zia athlete and current opposite hitter for the Region's top ranked 18's Alliance team has accepted a scholarship to South Mountain Community College to play for Coach Pat Mooney in the 2008 season.

Orton will be entering her senior year at Ironwood High School and gave her verbal commitment to Coach Mooney on April 18th.

"We are very happy to get a player with not only the physical gifts, but the mental gifts that Madison has. She will make an immediate impact on Cougar volleyball," Coach Mooney said.

Congratulations to Madison and the Orton Family.           

                                                                  

One Hit Wonders Finish 9th At So Cal

The 14-One hit Wonders finished their season on a high note and rode a perfect first day to a 9th place finish at the Southern California Qualifier April 13-16th. Congratulations Ladies on a fine season and a great tournament.

Zia Tough Babes Start 19th, Finish 6th in 12's Regionals

Congratulations to Lindsay Patterson, Brooke White and the Tough Babes 12's team as they started Regionals ranked 19th, won their morning pool, beat the Arrowhead 12's in the cross pool and finished an amazing 6th place in Regionals.

Congratulations Ladies on an incredible job well done!!!

 

15- Elite Prove Classic at Cactus!

  Zia's 15-Elite team, coached by Kristen Marin and Autumn Baker, took it to the rest of the 16's field at the Cactus Classic, taking the Championship in the 16's division in Tucson January 13-14th. It was the second straight season Zia has won the 16's division in the Cactus Classic.

The 15-Elite were a perfect 8-0 on the weekend, and were the only 15's team in the top 16's division. Zia's 16-SWAT Team took 4th in the ultra competitive 16's division and the 14-One Hit Wonders went 7-1 onthe weekend and won the Cholla division in the 14's age bracket.

                 Zia 15-Elite  Cactus Classic 16's Division Champions

 

In Memory of Kelly Bell

Zia lost one of it's own this month with the passing of Kelly Bell. Kelly is Taylor's Mom and she will be missed very much.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has set up a college fund for Taylor. To access this site, go to here

 

 

Zia's Melo off to Western Nebraska

Zia's 18's coach the past two years, Giovanna Melo has accepted the Head Coaching job at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

The Cougars are the defending NJCAA National Champions and Giovanna will take the helm of the ship in July.

She leaves ASU after a 3 year playing career and having spent the last two years as the Sun Devils Assistant Coach. She was also instrumental is helping Zia's 18's win the Arizona Region's Open Championship in 2007. We wish Giovanna well and hope to see her down the road soon.

Joining Ali Lund on the 18's Coaching squad is Sydney Donahue. Syd has been involved with Zia at Camps and clinics in past seasons. Donahue is an All PAC-10 performer as a libero and holds the career PAC-10 record for most digs. Her volleyball background is unparalelled and she brings a wealth of experience to the Edge in it's final month.

 

Zia Coach Aubrie Lussier receives Grand Canyon University's Roland Beck Scholar-Athlete Award

	Aubrie Lussier

   Grand Canyon University volleyball player and Zia Assistant Coach of the 16 Suprise team, Aubrie Lussier received the prestigious Roland Beck Senior Scholar-Athlete Award at the school's athletic banquet last Tuesday.
    Award recipients must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average, have attended GCU for at least two years, while demonstrating athletic excellence as a starter or regular reserve, leadership ability on campus and active church or Christian principles upon which the university was founded.
      The award is named after Roland L. Beck, one of the founding professors of Grand Canyon College, who died in 1980. He was admired for his commitment to academic excellence in his students, and was considered Grand Canyon athletic teams' number one fan.

 

SoCal Finishes Show Continued Promise

Zia's 18-Edge followed up their significant finish in Colorado with a 20th place finish in the bloodlust that is the 18-Open division at the Southern California Qualifier. The Edge was the highest finishing Arizona team in the toughest division a National Qualifier has to offer.

Also having some good results were the 13 Serves U Right team who shook off a rough first day to earn a 5-4 record for the tournament and a 35th place finish.

The 14-Eclipse took their 4-3 record to a 53rd place finish at SoCal. Congratulations to all the teams that went and a HUGE thank you to all the Room Mom's who sacrificed for the cause.

  

 Zia Shows Muscle at Crossroads Nat'l Qualifer

Zia flexed a little west valley muscle the past two weeks, earning some nice finishes at the Colorado Crossroads National Qualifier held in Denver.

Quickly becoming one of Zia's favorite qualifiers, Crossroads saw our 16-2 Legit 2 Quit team finish 18th overall in the 16 Club division, the highest finish of any Arizona team in that division.

Despite a tough first day, the 18-Edge squad took 26th overall in the ultra competitive 18 Open division. Only one other Arizona team finished ahead of them while most of the rest of the teams in the Arizona region elected to play in the 18 Club division.

Congratulations to these teams and their coaching staffs on a great tournament.

 

             18-Edge Work Their Way To The Top

The 18 Edge squad firmly planted their flag in the region landscape on March 8th with a second place finish in the Division 1 Open tournament.

Despite losing to a talented Arrowhead 18-Wilson team in the finals, the Edge smacked them down in 2 in pool play and for the second year in a row, have established themselves as a real threat to win the 18-Open division for a second year in a row.

Congratulations Ladies on a terrific job!   

 

        Zia Athletes Score Again on Recruiting Front

            With the first round of college commitments being counted, Zia again saw many of their athletes take scholarships to further their volleyball and collegiate futures.

                 Marissa Yoder from the 18-3D accepted a scholarship to play for Lisa Stuck at Glendale Community College.

            Rikki Leib, also of the 18-3D accepted a scholarship to Arizona Western College in Yuma while Nichelle Williams will be playing middle at Phoenix College where she will join our 18-Edge outside hitter Nicole Lentine.

            Congratulations to all of these girls and their families. Well done ladies!

          

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