Freshmen are playing important roles for several top IE teams
“She’s a freshman! She’s a freshman!”
That is a chant usually heard during girls a volleyball match whenever a ninth grader comes through with a big kill, block or ace.
And that chorus of words is being heard more than ever inside Inland high school gymnasiums this season, as several of the area’s top teams have freshmen playing prominent roles on the court. Youth is being served and the future looks very bright for these programs.
Here is a list of 20 freshman volleyball players making significant impacts for their teams this season.
RYAH BROCK, ROOSEVELT, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Averaging 3.7 kills and 2.1 digs per set for the Mustangs.
SAALIYAH BROWN, SUMMIT, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Averaging four kills per set with a team-high 55 blocks.
MYA CAPISTRANO, ROOSEVELT, SETTER >> Elite libero on the club circuit averages about six assists per set.
MACKENZIE DUGUID, RANCHO CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Ranks second on the team in kills and aces.
ZOEY EVANS, GREAT OAK, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Has been a factor at the net in first year with Wolfpack.
LAUREN FURNALD, ETIWANDA, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Averaging a teamhigh 2.9 kills per set for the Eagles.
LAUREN GREEN, WOODCREST CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Already showing great instincts as an attacker. ELLA JOHNSON, CHAPARRAL, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Quickly became one of the team’s top offensive players.
BAYLEE JONES, VISTA MURRIETA, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Has shown promise whenever she is on the court.
KIERSTEN MOORE, VISTA MURRIETA, SETTER >> The next in the long line of phenomenal Bronco setters.
LONDYN NEAL, CENTENNIAL, SETTER >> Ranks high among all Inland setters at nine assists per set.
BROOKLYN PIERCE, LINFIELD CHRISTIAN, SETTER >> Floor general is averaging 7.4 assists per set.
EVELYN POOL, WOODCREST CHRISTIAN, MIDDLE BLOCKER >> Stands over 6-foot and is a presence at net.
JORDAN RALL, ROOSEVELT. MIDDLE BLOCKER >> A strong net defender who leads the Mustangs in blocks.
DINE REECE, SUMMIT, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Team’s top perimeter attacker is averaging two kills per set.
SANDIE SOUZA, HILLCREST, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Top-rated beach player gets the job done indoors, too.
SOPHIA SWOGGER, CITRUS VALLEY, DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST >> Back-row whiz averages 3.6 digs per set.
ASIA UDO-EMA, CENTENNIAL, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Leads all Inland freshman with 294 kills (4.6 per set).
MYLI VICTOR, UPLAND, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Has become the go-to attacker, averaging 4.3 kills per set.
JORDYN WILSON, ARROWHEAD CHRISTIAN, OUTSIDE HITTER >> Racks up kills taking sets from sister Morgan.
1. CENTENNIAL (5-2)
Cornell Hatcher Jr. ran for 132 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-14 win over Roosevelt.
Previous ranking: 1
Up next: Thursday vs. Vista Murrieta
2. RANCHO CUCAMONGA
(7-0)
Trey Wilson rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-7 victory over Etiwanda.
Previous ranking: 2
Up next: Friday vs. Chino Hills
3. MURRIETA VALLEY (6-1) Bear Bachmeier passed for 237 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-19 win over Norco.
Previous ranking: 3
Up next: Friday vs. Chaparral
4. DAMIEN (8-0)
Aaron Escarcega scored touchdowns on both sides of the ball in a 34-7 win over Chino Hills.
Previous ranking: 4
Up next: Oct. 20 vs. Rancho Cucamonga
5. UPLAND (5-2)
The Highlanders return for their bye and look to remain in the Baseline League title chase.
Previous ranking: 5
Up next >> Friday vs. Etiwanda
6. VISTA MURRIETA (6-1)
Sean McCullough caught a pair of touchdown passes in a 31-24 victory over Chaparral.
Previous ranking: 9
Up next: Thursday at Centennial
7. ETIWANDA (6-2)
The Eagles scored a season-low seven points in last week’s loss to Rancho Cucamonga.
Previous ranking: 7
Up next: Friday at Upland
8. CAJON (5-2)
The Cowboys have outscored two Citrus Belt League foes by a combined score of 80-0.
Previous ranking: 8
Up next: Friday vs. Citrus Valley
9. CHAPARRAL (4-3)
The Pumas made a late charge but came up a bit short last week against Vista Murrieta.
Previous ranking: 6
Up next: Friday at Murrieta
Valley
10. CITRUS VALLEY (4-3) Dawson Martinez threw a touchdown and ran in two more in a 33-24 win over Beaumont.
Previous ranking: 13
Up next: Friday at Cajon
11. BEAUMONT (6-1)
Hector Garcia had nine catches for 151 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Citrus Valley.
Previous ranking: 10
Up next: Friday at Redlands East Valley
12. AYALA (3-4)
Marquis Monroe rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown in a 4213loss to San Clemente.
Previous ranking: 11
Up next: Friday vs. Bonita
13. AQUINAS (4-3)
Jusyis “Jojo” Solis scored five touchdowns in last week’s 3928win over Heritage Christian.
Previous ranking: 15
Up next: Friday at Cerritos Valley Christian
14. CHINO HILLS (5-3)
Tyrese Boss led the defense with 14 tackles, but the Huskies could not keep up with Damien.
Previous ranking: 12
Up next: Friday at Chino Hills
15. ROOSEVELT (4-3)
The Mustangs have surrendered 119points over their first two Big West Conference games.
Previous ranking: 14
Up next: Friday vs. Norco
16. BONITA (6-1)
The Bearcats wrapped up their nonleague schedule with a 49-6 victory over Sierra Vista.
Previous ranking: 16
Up next: Friday at Ayala
17. ORANGE VISTA (4-3)
Khalil Abdul-Aziz passed for 281 yards and five touchdowns in a 50-21 win over Elsinore.
Previous ranking: 18
Up next: Thursday at Heritage
18. NORCO (3-4)
The Cougars look to snap a twogame skid this week as they take on their former coach.
Previous ranking: 17
Up next: Friday at Roosevelt
19. NORTE VISTA (6-1) Dreaddie Allain rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-13 win over La Sierra.
Previous ranking: 19
Up next: Friday at Arlington
20. SAN JACINTO (4-3) Malachi Brown scored three touchdowns as the Tigers cruised to a 53-21 win over Tahquitz.
Previous ranking: Bubble
Up next: Friday at Liberty
Teams on the bubble (in alphabetical order): Colony (4-3), Eisenhower (6-1), Great Oak (4-3), Liberty (6-1), Murrieta Mesa (2-5), Ontario Christian (61), Rancho Verde (6-1), Yucaipa (6-1).