High Desert Preseason Games Begin: Week 1

A great week of high school volleyball has begun. Non-conference games are on the schedule until league starts on September 13th for many schools. Three schools I watched are in different conferences, so pre-season is the only time they meet up. It's been fun keeping an eye on the varsity teams because they are a balance between club players and non-club players. Yucaipa high school plays in the Citrus Belt conference and is coached by Amber Von Kaenel. Oak Hills high school is in the Mojave River League (MRL) and is coached by Omar Lopez. Rim of the World (RIM) plays in the Sunkist conference and is coached by Oksana Ortega. Here are six players, two from each team that deserves recognition from this week of gameplay.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-Yucaipa-Emilia-Graham-crop-1365x897-1661494094.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220788" /></figure> </figure>   Emilia Graham (2023) | 6'3 MB/RS/OH | Yucaipa HS #4/ Tstreet IE 17-Asics   Emilia Graham is a tall middle whose height is very beneficial during game play. She can get on top of the ball and kill it straight down. She has a very fast transition and is ready to be the first line of defense. Graham has a quick reaction at the net that makes her a great defender. She has a sense of ball placement from cross-court and down line which results in scoring on the opponent. Graham is definitely a player who should be on the radar.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-Yucaipa-Torey-Barnthouse-crop-1365x897-1661494328.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220792" /></figure> </figure>   Torey Barnthouse (2024) | 5'9 OH | Yucaipa HS #24   Torey Barnthouse plays all around on the court. She has a very powerful hit and can kill the ball at an angle to score. Her floater serve was unpredictable as it would curve in flight and moved in unexpected ways. This allowed her to serve several aces in a row. Barnthouse can adjust to sets coming from different positions and able to hit from the front and back row.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-Oak-Hills-Gianna-Sena-crop-1202x789-1661494193.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220790" /></figure> </figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='494313' first='Gianna' last='Sena'] (2024) | 5'9 MB | Oak Hills HS #5   [player_tooltip player_id='494313' first='Gianna' last='Sena'] is not the average height for a a middle blocker but that does not stop her ability to get her hands on the ball and block with a quickness. She showed her court awareness by stopping a block and pushing it over the defenders towards left back to score. Sena has the agility to move from side to side to help her teammates close blocks on the outside and right side. She is able to adjust her approach and execute a fast attack to score.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-Oak-Hills-Angelina-Lopez-crop-1639x1076-1661493814.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220786" /></figure> </figure>   Angelina "Angie" Lopez (2024) | 5'5 L/DS | Oak Hills HS #9   Angelina "Angie" Lopez is a quick defensive specialist and libero who does not hesitste to get on the ground for digs. She has the ability as a defensive specialist to play any area on the court. She is able to play the front row if needed as a DS. She can also set the ball from back row if the setter can't get to it. Lopez can serve receive and pass the ball with control so the setter is able to deliver the set needed to score.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-RIM-Dayanara-Ortega-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220793" /></figure> </figure>   Dayanara "Daya" Ortega (2024) | 5'8 OH | Rim of the World HS #17/Forza 1   Dayanara "Daya" Ortega is an all around six-rotation player that has great skills on offense and defense. She is able to hit between a block and smart enough to know when to tip for a point. She is an experienced passer in serve receive. Ortega is a smart player who is also familiar with the libero position. She defends the court and is not afraid to dive or dig a ball so that the opponent does not score. Ortega is a great communicator and leader on the court.   <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/08/HS-RIM-Elizabeth-Aberg.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-220794" /></figure> </figure>   Elizabeth Aberg (2023) | 5'4 S | Rim of the World HS #5   Elizabeth Aberg is a fast, agile setter who can get to a ball anywhere on the court. She has explosive power and is quick on her feet. She runs the offense with great communication and able to make quick decisions on court. Aberg hands are smooth when placing her sets for the pin hitters. She can set the ball with speed, height and accuracey to make it hitable while spreading the ball around.   A great way to support our volleyball athletes and teams is by sharing our stories with family, friends, and fans. This can be done by subscribing or sharing on social media. 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A great week of high school volleyball has begun. Non-conference games are on the schedule until league starts on September 13th for many schools. Three schools I watched are in different conferences, so pre-season is the only time they meet up. It's been fun keeping an eye on the varsity teams because they are a balance between club players and non-club players. Yucaipa high school plays in the Citrus Belt conference and is coached by Amber Von Kaenel. Oak Hills high school is in the Mojave River League (MRL) and is coached by Omar Lopez. Rim of the World (RIM) plays in the Sunkist conference and is coached by Oksana Ortega. Here are six players, two from each team that deserves recognition from this week of gameplay.