Published: November 21, 2009 12:56 pm      

LC-M's Sicktich heads All-Leader Volleyball Team

It was a banner season for some local teams and some special players rose to the occasion as Orange County had three volleyball teams enter the playoffs during the 2009 campaign.

There were some big-time matches played with players showing a tremendous amount of heart.

The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears (32-8) strolled to their second straight District 20-4A title and advanced to the Class 4A area round of the playoffs under the guidance of long-time coach Vicki Castino.

The Lady Bears also went 13-1 in 20-4A play for the second straight year led by a strong senior group.

In District 21-3A, it was a race to the very end with the Hamshire-Fannett Lady Longhorns nipping the Bridge City Lady Cardinals and Orangefield Lady Bobcats to grab the title.

It was fitting that the Lady Cardinals and the Lady Bobcats tied for second place. The two split their 21-3A matches, both winning on their home gym floors in front of capacity crowds.

It’s awesome how the sport of volleyball has picked up support over the years.

There were packed houses at The Bear Cave most of the year, and Bobcat Gym and Cardinal Gym.

It was wonderful to see gyms filled to the top. LC-M still has their rowdy “Bear Crazies” section and Orangefield and Bridge City have followed suit. I’ve never seen a better atmosphere than the one at Orangefield the night the Lady Bobcats hosted the Lady Cards. Haven’t been to a noisier gym in a long time.

So without further ado, here are the superlatives for the 2009 All-Orange Leader Volleyball Team:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Christine Sicktich, LC-M

This is Christine’s second year to be the MVP and it was a “no-brainer.”

Sicktich, the Leader’s Newcomer of the Year as a freshman in 2006 and Offensive MVP in 2007, was once again the ring-leader for Coach Castino’s Lady Bears during her senior season.

She led the Lady Bears with 425 kills and was 935-of-1,048 on attacks. She was also good on 570-of-620 serves and led the way with 132 aces and scored 627 service points.

She was also second on the squad in assists (501)and digs (405).

Also, what a lot of people didn’t know is that she played with a stress fracture in her foot for more than half of the 20-4A season.



OFFENSIVE MVP

Aimee Scales, Orangefield

The senior leader had a superb final season under the direction of second-year coach Kristin Holbrooks.

After a solid All-District campaign as a junior, Scales really took apart opponents her senior year. She really caught fire in District 21-3A play averaging double-digits in kills and being a strong senior leader for her younger counterparts.



DEFENSIVE MVP

Sarah McPherson, Bridge City

This jumping jack did it all for Coach Becca Mathews and the Lady Cardinals.

Sure, she was huge on offense,averaging 12 kills a game but it was her defensive prowess that paid as many dividends.

McPherson put together 13 digs a game and also pumped out three aces a contest.



NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Allison Angelle, Bridge City

Perhaps no player hit the floor more than this Lady Cardinal sophomore.

Angelle put the “fire” in the Lady Cardinals with her tremendous all-out effort and wore out some knee pads to prove it.

Angelle averaged 12 digs a match for the Lady Cardinals and had a great serve to boot. She also surprised opponents with a lot of kills from the back row.



COACH OF THE YEAR

Vicki Castino, LC-M

She may not be comfortable with it but her legend continues to grow as the long-time Lady Bear coach led her team to back-to-back 20-4A championships.

The former Evadale Lady Rebel standout has led the Lady Bears to a 59-17 record over the last two seasons, including 26-2 in 20-4A play.

One of the coolest things about Coach Castino is the advice she gives not only to her players but other coaches as well. Orangefield’s Holbrooks, a former LC-M standout under Castino, isn’t afraid to probe Castino’s mind and neither is Bridge City’s Mathews. ALl three are proven winners.



Here is the 2009 All-Orange Leader Volleyball Team as selected by the Leader sports staff:

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Christine Sicktich, LC-M

OFFENSIVE MVP: Aimee Scales, Orangefield

DEFENSIVE MVP: Sarah McPherson, Bridge City

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Allison Angelle, Bridge City

COACH OF THE YEAR: Vicki Castino, LC-M

FIRST TEAM

Ashton LaVergne, LC-M

Emily Kosh, Bridge City

Kaitlyn Henson, Orangefield

Shelby Sanchez, LC-M

Jordan Royal, Bridge City

Rylie Granger, Orangefield

Shelby Apperson, LC-M

SECOND TEAM

Elissa Tate, LC-M

Chelsea Hathaway, Deweyville

Brooklyn Hogden, Bridge City

Kellie Tilley, LC-M

Marlee Lopez, Bridge City

Amy Laughlin, LC-M

Miranda Rider, Vidor

Ashleigh Kelly, WO-S