La Canada Spartans’ Kendall Walbrecht nabs All-CIF

Being recognized with an All-CIF Southern Section selection can sometimes be lost on the best of the best in area sports, especially when success is a common occurrence.

But with La Cañada High senior outside hitter Kendall Walbrecht, that was hardly the case.

Walbrecht was thrilled when she heard she had been named to the All-CIF Division II-AA girls’ volleyball first team when it was officially released on Monday afternoon. It was the first such accolade for Walbrecht, who was recently named the Rio Hondo League co-Most Valuable Player.

“I feel honored, it feels great,” Walbrecht said. “It’s been a goal for me, so I’m real happy.”

Walbrecht, along with fellow seniors Micaela Anderson and Katie Pierce, battled injuries throughout the season, but the Spartans returned to form in time for the Division II-AA playoffs.

Walbrecht was a catalyst as the Spartans, having won the Rio Hondo League championship yet again, went on a surprising run to the CIF semifinals, highlighted by an upset of fourth-seeded Oaks Christian, before their season came to a close against Martin Luther King, the eventual CIF champion.

“It just happened to work out great that we all came together,” Walbrecht said. “I give a lot credit to my teammates for keeping it all going.”

Walbrecht finished the season with 332 kills, 165 digs, 33 aces and 27 blocks.

“Again, it’s a huge honor,” Walbrecht said, “and I feel so blessed that I was able to play volleyball this long and be successful.”