McCollum was rewarded for her efforts by being selected as Junior of the Year in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League.

McCollum was as durable as pitchers come, hurling in every game this season--all 174 innings. She exhibited excellent control, walking only eight batters on the year and none in 15 division games. Her 9-6 division record included six shutouts and one perfect game. She gave up 12 earned runs in league play and compiled a 0.74 earned run average. In addition, she committed no errors fielding her position.

McCollum got plenty of support around the Rams infield from three other juniors who also distinguished themselves. Second baseman Jeanette Sulay and shortstop Aurora Donnelly were first team all-league selections while first baseman Lillian Smith was recognized as a second team all-leaguer.

Sulay led the team with nine runs-batted-in and finished with a .356 batting average. She had some pop in her bat, blasting one home run and three doubles to finish with a slugging percentage of .533. Donnelly could be counted on to put the ball in play, striking out only three times and was in the lineup every day, only missing five innings of league play. Smith was second on the team in RBIs with eight and was excellent in the field, committing no errors.

Senior Brent Kompelien was the only Willow Glen baseball player selected to the all-league team. He was placed on the second team in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the BVAL.

Kompelien was the consummate utility player, getting playing time at first, second, third, shortstop and even catching one game when he was not on the mound for the Rams. Kompelien ended with a 2-5 pitching record, but he "received no run support and was our hard luck pitcher this year," said Willow Glen coach Bret Gladden. Kompelien was a consistent hitter with a .335 average and played good defense.

The Rams boys volleyball team finished in a tie for third place with an 11-5 mark in the BVAL's Mt. Hamilton Division. They were in second most of the year, hot on the heels of Leland, until a pair of injuries late in the season proved too much to overcome.

The Rams were led by Senior of the Year Alex Pelayo and Sophomore of the Year Tobin Chase from their middle blocker positions. Another key player on the team was senior setter Johnny Vlkovic who was selected as a first team all-leaguer. The trio led the Rams to a seventh straight appearance in the Central Coast Section playoffs.

Pelayo led the Rams in blocks with 109 on the year and also blasted 185 kills. Coach Jeff Wind credited much of the team's success to Pelayo.

"Alex was a catalyst because he would fire the team up with his blocks and defensive play," said Wind.

Chase combined with Pelayo to provide Willow Glen with a solid one-two punch as the sophomore middle blocker nailed 169 kills and racked up 91 blocks. In addition, he powered 30 aces. Wind indicated that "his solid work ethic and unexpected success on the varsity level was important to the team's success."

Vlkovic was the team captain and the key ingredient that made it all happen with his excellent setting ability. He ended the year with 766 assists. He also had an outstanding defensive element to his game, recording 41 blocks and coming up with 92 digs.