Daily News All-Area girls volleyball: Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch is the Player of the Year ...Middle East

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch is the Daily News 2024 girls volleyball player of the year. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch is the Daily News 2024 girls volleyball player of the year. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch digs the ball as they host Marymount in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoff tournament Oct. 29, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch passes the ball against Marymount in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoff tournament Oct. 29, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch passes the ball as they defeat Oaks Christian Aug. 29, 2024.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

Sierra Canyon’s Lauren Lynch is the Daily News 2024 girls volleyball player of the year. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lauren Lynch, Sierra Canyon, Senior

Lauren Lynch’s goal as Sierra Canyon volleyball’s libero was simple: don’t let anything drop.

Executing a simple goal could get chaotic sometimes, though, with Lynch darting around the court, arms outstretched as she became parallel with the ground in order to keep the ball in play.

“I would go after every ball,” the senior said. “Even if I maybe didn’t even have a chance. You never know until you go.”

Similarly, Lynch had only a slight idea as to what she was getting into at Sierra Canyon when she arrived as a freshman. But her all-out playing style quickly became a critical part of the team, which welcomed her with a family-like atmosphere.

She finished her senior season with 511 digs — an average of 13.4 digs per match — and set the program record for career digs with 1,691. She also worked to improve her serving and aced 28 serves this season.

However, leadership was the biggest emphasis for this season. That was encouraged by Trailblazers coach Stefanie Wigfall.

“(Wigfall said) I’m gonna let you do you. Demand the ball, but I want you to be a captain this year and really push yourself and your team,” Lynch said. “It was getting me ready for the next chapter when I have to enter something completely new, just knowing who I am and having the confidence to go out there.”

Lynch, who has signed with the University of San Diego, helped her team reach the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game. She plans to come back in the coming years and catch a few Sierra Canyon games as the girls she played with continue to mature.

“I was playing the older sister role and making sure I’m always there for them,” Lynch said, “because I remember when I was that age and I was scared. The overall chemistry was just so supportive. It was a great way to end my senior year. I love these girls — I’m gonna come back and watch them in the future and I’m just so excited for this program.”

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Leila Ballard, Saugus, Senior, Outside hitter

Leila Ballard led Saugus to the Foothill League championship and an appearance in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals with her all-around skill, but offense is where she really shined. The senior finished with 645 kills and a .325 hitting percentage. She broke the school record for single-season and career kills.

She served tough with 77 aces and contributed defensively with 51 blocks and 374 digs.

Ballard will go on to play at University of Northern Colorado.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Manaiah Ogbechie, Oaks Christian, Senior, Middle blocker

Manaiah Ogbechie became the center of attention at Oaks Christian games whenever she made a dominant block at the center of the net. The Northwestern commit broke the school record for career blocks last season and added 119 blocks this season for a final total of 450 career blocks as a Lion.

The Nebraska commit also recorded 184 kills and 34 aces.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Kat Thyer, Campbell Hall

Thyer tapped into the young talent at Campbell Hall to lead the Vikings to a CIF-SS Division 4 championship, which came with a sweep of Newbury Park in the final.

She put together a nonleague schedule that challenged her team and prepared them to go 9-1 in league to become the Gold Coast League runner-up. Thyer won a state championship with Campbell Hall last season.

ALL-AREA TEAM

(Figures are approximate based on available stats)

Jaidan Alexander, Royal, Jr., outside hitter

All-CIF Division 3, 296 kills, 45 aces, 198 digs

Francine Baltazar-Shine, Taft, Sr., setter

City Section Co-Player of the Year, 663 assists, 34 aces

Hannah Brady, Oaks Christian, Sr., libero

All-Marmonte League first team, 365 digs, 131 assists

Aleiah Carr, Taft, Sr., outside hitter

City Section Co-Player of the Year, 266 kills, 17 solo blocks

Alanah Clemente, Alemany, Sr., opposite

Mission League first team

Dani Clewis, West Ranch, Jr., setter/opposite

Foothill League first team, 93 kills, 39 aces, 52 blocks, 108 digs, 561 assists

Addison Degard, Valencia, Sr., libero

All-CIF Division 5

Saylor Halvorsen, Thousand Oaks, Fr., middle blocker

Marmonte League first team, 266 kills, .439 hitting %, 58 aces, 77 digs, 53 blocks

Maya Harris, Campbell Hall, Fr., outside hitter

CIF-SS Division 4 Player of the Year, 30 aces, 317 kills, 272 digs

Cayden Hobrecker, Valencia, Jr., setter

All-CIF Division 5

Makenzie Holden, Newbury Park, Sr., outside hitter

All-CIF Division 4, 388 kills, 34.5 blocks, 46 aces, 387 digs

Charley Knupp, Newbury Park, So., outside hitter

455 kills (school record), 41 blocks, 90 aces, 347 digs

Hanna McGinest, Sierra Canyon, So., outside hitter

All-CIF Division 2, Mission League first team,  452 kills, .41 aces, 55 blocks

Related Articles

Theone Nguyen, Canyon, Sr., setter

All-CIF Division 5, 608 assists

Maggie Rhew, Oaks Christian, Sr., setter

All-Marmonte League first team, 52 aces, 844 assists

Layla Tejada, Canyon, Sr., outside hitter

All-CIF Division 5, 151 kills, .109 hit%, 62 aces

Parys Taylor, Canyon, Jr., outside hitter

All-CIF Division 5, 457 kills, .211 hit%, 60 aces, 39 blocks

Lailaa Williams, Campbell Hall, So., middle blocker

All-CIF Division 4, 13 aces, 196 kills, 66 blocks, 52 digs

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