SportsScope

Gina Karpinski and Julie Smith, seniors who led Charter Oak High to second place in the CIF Southern Section 1-A Division, head a group of San Gabriel Valley players named to the All-CIF girls volleyball squad.

Karpinski made the 1-A first team and Smith was a second-team selection. Melissa Terzian of Maranatha was the only other valley player to make the 1-A first team. Jeanette Ehrich of Northview made the second squad.

Mayfield led the way in the Small Schools Division, placing Monica Smith on the first team and Jenny Skendarian on the second squad. Ami Arnault of Pasadena Poly made the second team.

Rosalyn Mitchell of Diamond Bar made the first team in 2-A, Heddy Li of San Gabriel and Shawn Robertson of Arcadia made the second team in 4-A and Cindy Hernandez of Walnut was a second-team selection in 3-A.

Senior Darin Blizzard, who led Wilson High of Hacienda Heights to the CIF 3-A water polo semifinals, has been named the division co-player of the year along with Craig Tillman of El Dorado.

Wilson senior Joel Francisco was the only other San Gabriel Valley player named to the first team. Seniors Chris Avventino of Rowland and Gregg Iwamiya from Muir were named to the second team.

In 2-A, perennial power South Pasadena placed senior Greg Butcher on the first team and senior Pat Sturzenacker on the second squad.

Clint South, an assistant coach at Rio Hondo College for 12 years, has been named the college’s football coach for next season.

South, a former assistant at Cal Poly Pomona, replaces Al Prukop, who resigned after eight seasons. South also has coached at Cal State Fullerton and California High in Whittier.