Photos by Nick Ellis
BY STEPHEN LYNCH
Hailey Plugge has been a fixture on the Frontier High School volleyball team for the past three years. Kami Marion has been a key member of Stockdale High School’s volleyball team for the past four years.
Wednesday night the two standouts from rival Southwest Yosemite League schools joined forces and competed with and against other top local senior volleyball players in the Kern High School District All Star Volleyball Game.
The event, held at Centennial High School, consisted of two separate best-of-three matches.
The first match, between the Black and Gray teams, featured mostly players from Division 3 and 4 schools.
The rosters of the two teams in the second match; Blue versus Red, were comprised of primarily of players from Division 1 and 2 schools.
Plugge and Marion both played brilliantly in leading the Red team to an exciting 17-25, 25-19, 15-9 victory over the Blue squad.
Marion had five kills, three blocks and two aces in the come from behind win.
“We were a little nervous, but we knew we had our flow together,” Marion said. “So, we just came out pushed the nerves away and just played.”
Marion was selected the Offensive Player of the Match.
“It was really fun just to come out here one last time and play with these girls from this area,” the 5-foot-8 middle blocker said.
Plugge showcased her vast skillset in variety of ways, directing the Red team’s offensive attack and setting the ball for Marion and other teammates while playing stellar defense.
The Wichita State bound setter was named MVP of the second match. Her Frontier teammate Ashley Sommerfeld had a match-high eight kills to go along with two blocks.
“I’m so excited,” Plugge said. “It’s our last chance to play with some of our teammates in high school and I just really wanted to go out with a bang. I’m really blessed to come out with the MVP.”
Liberty libero, Jaleesa Caroccio, had three aces and a plethora of digs for the Blue team, which dominated the first set.
The Patriots captain was voted Defensive Player of the Match.
“Our team started off really well and really connected,’ Caroccio said. “It’s really hard to do that when you don’t play with each other, other than one practice. I thought our energy was really good, so it helped us connect. I thought that really helped us in the game. I wish we could have pulled it out, but it was super fun.”
The first match of the night wasn’t nearly as competitive as the second one.
The Gray team, powered by South’s Tatyana Mendoza and Highland’s Nayeli Chavolla Ayala strong play at the net, made quick work of the Black team, 25-16. 25-18.
Mendoza came out strong right from the onset of the match, tallying two kills and two blocks as the Gray squad jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead.
The Gray team led 11-3 before the Black squad went on a 10-3 run to make it a one-point game.
However, back-to-back aces by Taft High School’s Morgan Pulido spurred an 8-0 tear by the Gray team that put the game out of reach.
The second set was tied, 10-10, before three straight kills by McFarland’s Lucia Rocha, propelled the Gray team to victory.
Mendoza, who finished with seven kills and two blocks, was named the MVP of the match.
“Honestly, I just went out there and played with whatever I had in me,” Mendoza said. “I just wanted to go out with a bang because it’s my last year.”
Asia Kirven led the Black team with five aces.
The athletic outside hitter from Independence High School was chosen Offensive Player of the Match.
“Every time I play, I just really want to get after it,” Kirven said. “I want to win so I’ll do anything I can to help my team win.”
North High’s Ayleen Rodriguez anchored the Gray team’s backline and was selected Defensive player of the Match.
“It’s really exciting because there’s a lot of other talented defensive specialists in the all-star game,” Rodriguez said. “It’s just a privilege to be chosen out of everyone.”
