League Spotlight: Trinity League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trinity league is one of the premier leagues in southern California, consisting of some of the most competitive private schools in the region. Three of the schools competed in the elite varsity division of the Queens Court tournament at the beginning of the season, with Mater Dei taking top honors. The Trinity league consists of JSerra, Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, Rosary Academy, and Santa Margarita. As league play begins, who could take the top spot in the league?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":202124,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/DSC03669.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-202124" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The obvious contender for the title in the Trinity league is volleyball powerhouse, Mater Dei High School. Finishing at #4 in the nation last season, the Monarchs return three Max Preps All-Americans from last season. Leading the Monarchs is class of 2024 6'3” outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='159534' first='Babi' last='Gubbins'], class of 2024 libero Melissa Cawa, and senior captain, middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='159535' first='Liv' last='Hertzog']. The Monarchs are 8-3 going into league play after having won the Queens Court Tournament in the pre-season and only losing to very strong teams from Lakewood High School, Redondo Union, and San Clemente High School. They will kick off Trinity league play against JSerra High School.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JSerra goes into league play with a 12-5 record after losing some tough matches to Aliso Niguel, Laguna Beach, Menlo School, and Huntington Beach High School in the pre-season. They will look to returners [player_tooltip player_id='160998' first='Julia' last='Kakkis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='161007' first='Jessica' last='Bates'] who were all-league selections last year as sophomores to lead the team. They graduated three seniors last year who were all-league selections so they will be likely hitting their stride as a team after working through things in the pre-season with a new lineup.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Orange Lutheran was off to a hot start in the preseason with a 9-2 record, starting the season in the Queens Court Tournament with a big win over Aliso Niguel, the tournament's champion year from the previous year. They continued their strong preseason in Hawaii and then came home to get quality wins against Newport Harbor High School and Ontario Christian High School. The Lancers are led by senior outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='160364' first='Paige' last='Buzzerio'], who is committed to Navy and senior outside hitter, Londyn Giles. [player_tooltip player_id='536147' first='Lily' last='Underwood'] directs the offense, dishing out sets to her hitters with great accuracy and pace. The Lancers will open league play at Santa Margarita High School.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp; Santa Margarita has had a tough preseason, having to face the likes of&nbsp; Sierra Canyon (twice), Mira Costa, and Hawaiian powerhouse Punahou to name a few. They enter league play with a 9-7 record. They are led by [player_tooltip player_id='160362' first='Grace' last='Jackson'], a 6'1” class of 2023 outside hitter who led Santa Margarita last year in kills and was an all-league selection. She is committed to Pepperdine to play beach volleyball. The Eagles also have superb libero Grace Moss controlling the backrow. The 5'5” senior libero left the team in digs, plays for Long Beach Mizuno Rockstar and is committed to Cal State Bakersfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->