Southwell given team MVP award at Warriors volleyball banquet

Fallbrook High School's girls volleyball teams had a post-season banquet Nov. 15 at the SonRise Christian Fellowship church.

"The booster club did an outstanding job," said Fallbrook varsity head coach Chip Patterson.

The banquet included the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams and was organized by booster club president Jenny Southwell with the assistance of other booster club members. A slideshow of the seniors complemented the presentation of awards and the catered dinner.

Chyna Southwell was given the team's Most Valuable Player award. "Chyna is by far one of the most outstanding players that a coach could ask for," Patterson said. "She's a phenomenal player."

Southwell, who played the setter position for the Warriors, is a senior. She will likely play for the University of Redlands during the 2017 college volleyball season. "They're getting an outstanding player," Patterson said. "She's going to do great things."

Southwell also won the team Most Valuable Player award in 2015 and was the team's Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2014.

Madison McCarty, a sophomore who was Fallbrook's libero during the 2016 season, was selected as the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player. "The young lady showed this year that she's willing to step into any challenge," Patterson said. "She never gave up."

The team's Most Improved award was taken home by Mary Ellyn Brown, a sophomore who is one of Fallbrook's middle blockers. "When they needed somebody to set, they knew who they could set," Patterson said.

Fallbrook used a formation with two setters; senior Skyler Sprint was the Warriors' other starting setter. Sprint was the recipient of the Heather Schulte Award, which is named after a former Fallbrook High School volleyball coach and athletic director and is given for outstanding character and sportsmanship.

"Skyler is a phenomenal young lady," Patterson said. "She's always willing to listen, learn, adjust, and adapt. She is a coach's dream player."

Patterson noted Sprint's versatility.

"She was an all-around player when it came to that back row," he said.

Although Sprint has played her final match for the Warriors, Patterson envisions her back on the Fallbrook court.

"I can see her one day returning back to Fallbrook and taking over as a coach," Patterson said.

The banquet historically included a Most Inspirational Player award. The name of that honor is now the Heart of a Warrior Award and current senior Morgan Alexander, who was the 2015 Most Inspirational Player recipient, was presented with the 2016 Heart of a Warrior Award.

"She loves this game and she shows that in her effort," Patterson said. "She wants to play at all costs."

Alexander was one of Fallbrook's outside hitters and was also a team captain in 2016.

"She is going to motivate your team to always do well," Patterson said.

The banquet also included recognition of the seven players who were given all-league honors by the Valley League coaches. Southwell and Brown were placed on the Valley League first team, Alexander and McCarty received second-team distinction, and Sprint, junior outside hitter Emma Christopherson, and sophomore middle blocker Skyler Traut were recognized with honorable mention designation.

Madeline Martin was the junior varsity Most Valuable Player; Keely Powell was the JV team's Defensive Most Valuable Player; Raelyn Holmes took home the level's Most Improved award, and Sonsi Jarvis was given the Heart of the Warrior Award.

The freshman Most Valuable Player was Nya Jackson; Kendall Sprint was the Defensive Most Valuable Player; Cristina Ramirez was selected for the Most Improved honor, and Bethany Bishop received the Heart of the Warrior Award.

The banquet also recognized junior varsity coach Kurt Dayos and freshman coaches Leilani Patterson, Pedro Espinos, and Jose Espinos. Joan Lutz and Eileen Olson were honored for being the largest donors to the booster club.