Volleyball coaches and players from Tustin and Esperanza earn top CIF honors

Tustin’s girls volleyball team had a special season. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

It was a milestone season for the girls volleyball programs at Tustin and Esperanza high schools.

Both teams brought home CIF championships in their respective divisions and the coaches and some of the players from the two squads were rewarded with post-season honors from the CIF.

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Tustin captured the first CIF crown in the sport in school history topping Vistamar in four sets. In recognition, the Tillers’ outside hitter Ava McInnes was selected the player of the year. Senior libero Malia Acosta was named first team All-CIF.

“Ava being named player of the year is incredible,” Tustin Coach Joanna Lane told OC Sports Zone. “It’s because of her leadership both physically and emotionally that we’ve had the historic season we’ve had.

“She serves tough, plays defense well, blocks well, and obviously puts the ball away for us.”

In addition all the hard work of Lane, the Tiller coach, paid off. She was named the CIF coach of the year in the division.

Lane said she was excited to be named the coach of the year. The Tustin fans responded with lots of support along the way, packing the gymnasium at Tustin during the Tillers’ memorable playoff run.

The award had special meaning, Lane said.

“As a former Tiller myself (class of 2005) it is an honor to receive this award as a coach,” said Lane, who finished her seventh season.

All along, beginning with the first day of practice, the team was determined to bring hom a CIF title and it accomplished that mission after finishing second in the Empire League.

“For me it has been a six-year journey to lead us to this point which is why the very first day of practice we set our biggest goal to date: to become CIF champions,” Lane said. “To see this goal realized, to have the culture that Tustin Volley has now and to be named CIF coach of the year means so much to me as a Tiller.”

ESPERANZA ALSO HONORED BY CIF

Esperanza’s team coached by Isaac Owens, took home the CIF Division 2 title and players from that squad and Owens were honored. Esperanza rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Murrieta Valley in the Division 2 finals to win the schools third CIF title.

The Aztecs’ outside hitter Elyse Stowell, a junior, was named the division MVP.

“She had 35 kills and 27 digs in the final,” Owens said. “She was first on the team with kills and digs this year. She was first team All-Crestview League as well. She committed to BYU last year. “

Julie Waugh, a freshman outside hitter, was named first team All-CIF.

In addition, Owens was named the division’s coach of the year. It’s the second time he has received the award on the girls side and the sixth as a volleyball coach at Esperanza. He has led girls volleyball teams to four CIF finals and three titles and also led the Esperanza boys team to four championships.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com