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ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL: Small Schools Player of the Year: Danielle Lampman, Lake Worth Christian
Thursday, January 07, 2010
by
Cristina Ledra
Photo by Brandon Kruse / The Palm Beach Post
At 5-foot-3, Lake Worth Christian's Danielle Lampman isn't a typical volleyball player. But her passion for the game always made up for what she lacked in height.
She was an all-around player and the leader of the Defenders as they went to the Class 1A state tournament for a second straight season.
"The great thing is that I have a team and because I'm short they help me out blocking-wise," Lampman said. "They're always there to make sure my shortness doesn't stop us from going as far as we need to."
Lampman first discovered volleyball at 12 years old at church where Lake Worth Christian coach Terri Kaiser was in charge of the youth group.
"I started going to volleyball camps with her and she really grew the game in my heart and I couldn't stop playing after that," Lampman said.
Lampman stepped in as a leader this season more than she had in the past, while still maintaining her high level of play.
The senior setter led the area's players, regardless of classification, in assists with 867 and she also added 229 service points and 65 aces.
As one of just a few seniors on the team, Lampman challenged herself to be more of a leader.
"I didn't really used to talk before," Lampman said. "I really pushed to talk more than I did in years past. I've improved a lot communication-wise and with working with my hitters and making sure we were on the right track and knew what each other were doing."
Right before the season, Lampman signed with Bryan College in Tennessee, which allowed her to focus on her senior season.
With Lampman leading the way, the Defenders won their fourth straight district title and second straight region title before losing to eventual Class 1A state champion Warner Christian in the state semifinals.
"Even though we lost, I don't regret anything we did this year," Lampman said. "It was just a fun season altogether."
SMALL SCHOOLS COACH OF THE YEAR
Terri Kaiser, Lake Worth Christian
Led the Defenders through a tough schedule to the state tournament for the second straight season and their fourth straight district title.
SMALL SCHOOLS FIRST TEAM
Codi Mimun, Benjamin
Senior, outside hitter
Prolific hitter, had 380 kills, 216 digs, 201 service points.
Christina Alessi, King's Academy
Senior, outside hitter
Committed to Palm Beach Atlantic, notched 212 kills, 65 blocks.
Taylor Zirwas, John Carroll,
Junior, outside hitter
Was among the area's leaders in kills for the season.
Amber Courtwright, Summit Christian
Junior, outside hitter
Led district champions in service points (226) and digs (163).
Meagan Milligan, Lake Worth Christian
Freshman, middle blocker
Made a big impact as just a freshman with 284 kills, 128 blocks.
Katelyn Mears, Lake Worth Christian
Senior, libero
Had 644 digs, 195 service points and 66 aces on the season.
Brytney Annis, Lake Worth Christian
Junior, middle blocker
Strong at the net for the Defenders with 286 kills and 43 blocks.
SMALL SCHOOLS SECOND TEAM
Samantha Evans, King's Academy, So., setter: Had 597 assists, 150 points, 44 aces.
Vicki Murrell, Summit Christian, Jr., middle hitter: Led the Saints in kills with 291.
Hannah Fountain, Cardinal Newman, Jr., outside hitter: Among area leaders in blocks, digs, and kills.
Kristy Golden, Lake Worth Christian, Jr., outside hitter: Was a big contributor to state tournament team.
Sami Spidell, Boca Christian, Jr., middle hitter: Led the area in aces with 81.
Emily Walz, King's Academy, Sr., middle blocker: Had 183 kills, 60 blocks, 143 service points.
Ashley Burns, Summit Christian, Sr., setter: Tallied 708 assists and 202 service points.
HONORABLE MENTION
Christine Casey (Benjamin), Christie Nicklaus (Benjamin), Maren McRoberts (Benjamin), Kelly Groover (Cardinal Newman), Kelsey Wood (Cardinal Newman), Rachel Rendina (Cardinal Newman), Abby Schlecter (Glades Day), Colette Sample (Glades Day), Donna Lewis (Glades Day), Taylor White (Lake Worth Christian), Gabby Fisher (Lake Worth Christian), Kristin Kintz (Lake Worth Christian), Elaine McCormick (Summit Christian), Kaylee Anderson (Summit Christian).
User Comments:
Kristi commented on January 10, 2010 at 9:11 p.m.: flag
I disagree with Danielle Lampman being the player of the year. Honestly, if you watch her play, she isn't that great..and she is definitely not aggressive. She only looks so good because she had good hitters on LWC that racked up her asists. She didn't have an impressive number of digs, blocks, or kills. Even though she is 5'3", she should still be able to block and hit, which she can't.
A number of players chosen for 2nd should have been on 1st team. Most made 1st team just because they were on Lake Worth Christian..even though they choked at state this year for what, the 17th time? Pretty sad.
Wildcats commented on January 10, 2010 at 9:22 p.m.: flag
I agree with Kristi...
Ashley Burns should have been on 1st team, if not player of the year, and I don't even go to Summit Christian. She's one of the most aggressive volleyball players I've seen and she definitely makes up for her height in how she plays. She can block, hit, dig, serve, and she's one of the best setters in the county, regardless of clas. The stats speak for themselves. I'm disappointed in whoever made these teams.
anonymous commented on January 23, 2010 at 3:11 p.m.: flag
sounds like sour grapes to me!
uhm commented on January 23, 2010 at 5:54 p.m.: flag
I think Danielle deserves it a lot more than Ashley Burns. The fact that Ashley is so sour that Summit thought they were going to go all the way and that they lost is something she has to get over. Do not put down Danielle because Summit could not do what they "thought" they could do.
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