Zrinka Kristich

School: La Habra High

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Outside hitter

Class: Senior

Because La Habra lost to graduation three 6-foot players from the team that won its second consecutive Southern Section and state championships, some believed the Highlanders would slip a bit this season. So far that hasn’t happened. La Habra won another section Division 3-A title and Kristich, 6 feet 5, deserves much of the credit. “She’s been pretty dominant all season, but in the playoffs we have gone to her even more,” La Habra Coach Sandy Blumenthal said. In the final three matches of the playoffs, Kristich had 28 kills in a three-game victory over Don Lugo, 35 kills in a five-game victory over Torrance and 39 kills in a five-game victory over El Modena in the title match. “In the playoffs she has come on strong and become a more forceful leader,” Blumenthal said.

Other top performers:

Brandi Freudenberg, an El Modena freshman who advanced to the Southern Section individual round of 16 with two victories, including a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Fountain Valley senior Michelle Berkowitz in the second round.

Shauna Shapiro, who had 43 assists in Laguna Beach’s three-game victory over El Toro in the Division 5-A volleyball championship match and 43 assists in the Artists’ four-game victory over Capistrano Valley in the semifinals.

Shelley Taylor, who won the Division II race by finishing the three-mile course in 17:29, the fastest time of the day, and helped Edison to the team title.

Rachel Wacholder, who had 28 kills in Laguna Beach’s sweep of El Toro in the Division 5-A championship match.