Whittier Christian's Nabbout is Player of the Year
By Andrew J. Campa, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/03/2011 05:41:05 PM PST
WHITTIER - For the first time since 2006, an area girls volleyball team failed to reach a CIF-Southern Section division championship match.
There also were no teams that finished the season ranked in the top five in their division as expectations might have been at their lowest in years.
It would be easy to classify 2010 as a down year, but it also could be argued the season might have been one of the most exciting and successful ones in some time.
It was no surprise the area's final team standing was Whittier Christian, the reigning Division 4AA champion that moved up three divisions to Division 2A.
With the move came many questions for the Heralds, who were also competing in a new league - the Olympic - after winning two consecutive Alpha League crowns.
"I was really surprised with how well we did," Heralds senior outside hitter Hannah Nabbout said. "I thought moving up two divisions would be hard to adjust. I expected us to win league but didn't expect us to do as well and go as far in the playoffs."
The Heralds finished 26-7, swept through league and advanced to the division semifinals.
The 5-foot-8 Nabbout, this year's Whittier Daily News girls volleyball Player of the Year, was a big reason for her team's success.
The three-year varsity starter averaged 3.2 kills and 3.8 digs per game and had 26 aces in taking over the leadership role.
"I had a whole different mindset this year I think that comes with confidence and experience," Nabbout said. "This was my last year and I just played hard."
What made Nabbout so special was her versatility. She proved as valuable in the back row as up front.
Nabbout posted 14 double-digit kill efforts and 17 efforts of 10-plus digs while earning CIF-SS Division 2A first-team honors.
The senior also was named league MVP, totaling a season-high 19 kills against L.A. Baptist on Nov. 4 and 28 digs against JSerra on Sept. 28.
Another of Nabbout's major contributions was her leadership. The Heralds graduated marquee seniors from the year before in libero Emily Atwood, middle hitter Rebecca Shafer, opposite hitter Erin White and setter Stephanie Sinohui.
"I came in with those girls when this was a completely different program," Nabbout said. "They helped build this team into what it is now and I wanted to continue that."
Part of Nabbout's responsibility was to prepare the handover of the program to a young and talented corps that included eight returnees.
Two of them were 5-10 junior setter Jaden Louie and 6-1 sophomore Joy Miley.
Louie picked up for Sinohui (now at Cal State San Bernardino) by leading the Heralds with 9.3 assists per game and committing only 16 errors.
Louie also led her team with 34 aces and distributed to an offense that boasted six solid scorers.
One of Louie's main targets was Miley, the Heralds' middle blocker. Miley tied Nabbout at 3.2 kills per game and may have been the most intimidating player in the area.
Both girls were named to the Daily News first team.
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