
Murrieta Valley senior Miley Thunstrom, Corona senior Hannah Hass and Rialto freshman Priscilla Diaz helped their girls volleyball teams to historic seasons.
And earlier this week, all three were rewarded for their efforts as they were chosen the CIF Southern Section player of the year in their school’s respective playoff divisions.
Thunstrom, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter headed to Saint Mary’s, was Murrieta Valley’s top offensive weapon throughout the year. She had a particularly strong run during the Division 2 playoffs, recording 72 kills (5.5 per set) over the final three matches. Thunstrom was at her best in the championship match, as she racked up 32 kills in leading the program to its first section title.
Hass, a 6-1 middle blocker who has signed with Sonoma State was a force at the net and helped Corona claim its first section championship. She tallied 66 kills and 18 blocks in the Division 5 playoffs. Hass registered 18 kills and nine block assists in the championship match, as the Panthers outlasted Canyon Country Canyon in five sets.
Diaz, a 5-5 setter, showed tremendous poise and floor leadership for a freshman and helped Rialto capture the Division 9 championship, the program’s first section title.
Rialto’s Carla Sittniewski was among those selected divisional coaches of the year.
In addition to the three divisional players of the year, 19 other Inland girls volleyball players were selected to the first team in their respective playoff divisions.
Division 1
Player of the Year: Layli Ostovar, Mater Dei, Jr.
Coach of the Year: Dan O’Dell, Mater Dei
Inland player on first team: Madison Snow, Temecula Valley, Sr.
Division 2
Player of the Year: Miley Thunstrom, Murrieta Valley, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Lacey Minzlaff, Palos Verdes
Inland players on first team: Brooke Hansen, Etiwanda, Sr.; Kelis Hawkins, Etiwanda, Sr.; Summer Tukua, Murrieta Valley, Fr.; Miley Thunstrom, Murrieta Valley, Sr.
Division 3
Player of the Year: Layla Moore, Long Beach Poly, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Gerald Aquiningoc, Long Beach Poly
Inland players on first team: None.
Division 4
Player of the Year: Maya Harris, Campbell Hall Fr.
Coach of the Year: Chris Forrest, Newbury Park
Inland players on first team: Carina Zaldivar, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.; Nathalie Dawoud, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.
Division 5
Player of the Year: Hannah Hass, Corona, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Samantha Holcombe, Canyon Country Canyon
Inland players on first team: Amelia Bonnema, Corona, Sr.; Hannah Hass, Corona, Sr.
Division 6
Player of the Year: Keonahi’ilani Soltaita, Oak Hills, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Maikel Bastida, Oak Hills
Inland player on the first team: Catalina Loven, Liberty, So.
Division 7
Player of the Year: Sadie Holmes, Laguna Beach, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Riley Kelly, St. Paul
Inland player on first team: Jayla Ross, Orange Vista, Sr.
Division 8
Player of the Year: Maggie Chairez, Bell Gardens, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Caleb Ortiz, Bell Gardens
Inland players on first team: Jasmine Del Valle, Miller, Jr.; Grace Lopez, Miller, Sr.
Division 9
Player of the Year: Priscilla Diaz, Rialto, Fr.
Coach of the Year: Carla Sittniewski, Rialto
Inland players on first team: Alanie Gutierrez, Rialto, So.; Myah Juarez, Rialto, Jr.; Priscilla Diaz, Rialto, Fr.; Amillion Hamilton, North, Sr.; Ariana Serra, San Gorgonio, So.
Division 10
Player of the Year: Mary Sanchez, Victor Valley, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Taylor Lillard, Victor Valley
Inland players on first team: Annabella Soler Guerra, Arroyo Valley, So.; Alahna Sanchez, Arroyo Valley, Jr. Angelina Estrada, Ganesha, Sr.; Ella Blauth, Grove, Sr.


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