Kelly Kuebler

School: Los Alamitos High

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Middle blocker

Class: Senior

Los Alamitos Coach Pattie Laird credits an ankle injury as the turning point in the high school volleyball career of Kuebler. A sprained ankle kept Kuebler out of league play about three weeks last season and her second match back was in the first-round playoffs against Fountain Valley. Although Los Alamitos lost in four games to Fountain Valley, Laird noticed a new competitive fire in Kuebler. “It was a different kid who came out after the ankle injury,” Laird said. “She finally decided she really wanted to play volleyball and once she decided that’s what she wanted, nothing could stop her.” That was apparent last week, when Kuebler had 20 kills, nine blocks and eight digs in a three-game victory over defending Empire League champion Cypress, and 23 kills, five blocks and five digs in a three-game victory over Loara. The two victories gave Los Alamitos its first league title in volleyball since 1975.

Other top performers:

Michelle Berkowitz, who swept her singles sets for Fountain Valley in an 11-7 victory over Edison, completing her second consecutive undefeated league season, and helping the Chargers win the team title.

Brandi Freudenberg, an El Modena freshman who beat previously undefeated Foothill senior Amanda Parson and won the Century League individual tennis title.

Zrinka Kristich, who had 34 kills in La Habra’s five-game victory over Sunny Hills, which clinched the Highlanders’ third consecutive Freeway League title.

Kirstin Laird, who had 26 assists and eight digs for Los Alamitos in a three-game victory over Cypress, and 39 assists and seven digs in a three-game victory over Loara.