The Sunnyvale Sun

Sports

Homestead's Fischer is De Anza MVP

By MIKE BARNHART

Homestead's volleyball team finished fourth in the Santa Clara Valley League's rugged De Anza Division, but opposing coaches saw enough of Mustang outside hitter Katherine Fischer to write her name first on their all-league ballots. The De Anza coaches selected Fischer as the division's Most Valuable Player.

"Kat Fischer can carry a team through tough situations," Homestead coach John Milkovich said about the talented sophomore, who paced the Mustangs to second place in Central Coast Section Division I and a win in the CIF Northern California regional tournament.

Three other Mustangs, all key players during the team's 27-14 season, were honored. Opposite hitter Kelly Verstegen and sophomore setter Melissa Cheng earned first team recognition and junior middle blocker Allie Fickett was an honorable mention selection.

Meanwhile, several Fremont and Wilcox players were selected to the all-El Camino Division squad.

Middle blocker Alicia Tikalsky of Fremont and outside hitter Laura Lalowski and middle blocker Alison Ostendorf of Wilcox, all seniors, were first team picks.

The honorable mention list included Amy Wanninger and Amy Chwa of Fremont, and Christina Montez and Jackie Tran of Wilcox.

Fremont's Ellis gets MVP

Samantha Ellis, who had a spectacular senior season for Fremont's girls water polo team, was named Most Valuable Player of the El Camino Division.

Ellis gave opposing defenses fits, while leading the Firebirds to a 14-0 record during regular season play and two more wins during the El Camino playoffs.

Ellis, often guarded by the opponent's best defender, was double trouble from her position at the 5-meter mark. Her strength and accuracy enabled her to score with a powerful shot, or her awareness and finesse allowed her to draw the defense to her and set up teammates for goals.

Senior Aimee Lindsey and junior Julia Sterling often were on the receiving end of Ellis' assists during Fremont's fantastic 16-3 season. Lindsey was a first team selection, while Sterling and junior teammate Abby McNeil were second team picks.

Homestead placed two players on the all-El Camino squad,Jenny Coryell (first team) and Emily Pool (second team).

Boys water polo

In boys water polo, Homestead seniors Alex Romanko and Kevin Conti and Fremont junior Danny Moctezuma all were tabbed to the all-El Camino first team.

Heading the honorable mention list was Homestead senior Brian Armstrong, who scored a game-high four goals in the Mustangs' semifinal upset of previously unbeaten Cupertino in the El Camino playoffs. Juniors Geovid Kali of Homestead and Tony Rhodes of Fremont also received honorable mention plaudits.

Both Homestead and Fremont out postseason team awards. Homestead honored Romanko (MVP), Armstrong (Coaches Award) and Kali (Most Improved). Fremont's accolades went to five players, Moctezuma (co-MVP), Rhodes (co-MVP), Michael Bursky (Playmaker), Evan Mahoney (Defensive Player of Year) and Adam Mattos (Most Improved).

Field hockey honors

Homestead's fine season, which featured a second-place finish in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and a trip to the CCS playoffs, was capped by the recognition of five players.

Seniors Nicole Caballero and Jamie Keith and junior Nicole Cefalu were first team picks, and seniors Shirin Mollah and Ali Holtzapple were second team choices.