Sage Hill’s Sydnee Francis is San Joaquin League girls’ volleyball MVP

For the second consecutive season, the Sage Hill School girls’ volleyball team has featured its league’s MVP.

The Lightning joined the San Joaquin League this season, and senior outside hitter Sydnee Francis received the top honor after leading Sage Hill (13-10, 7-1 in league) to another league crown.

Francis, who follows former Lightning setter Jade Blevins as a league MVP, had 231 kills and 48 service aces. She led the team with 149 digs.

Francis is on the first team with teammates Amiyah De’Long, Lauren Langdale and Danielle Beder.

De’Long, a senior outside hitter who signed with Stony Brook University, had 214 kills on .255 hitting, adding 37 aces.

Langdale, a senior libero, had 133 digs and 20 aces. Beder, a junior setter, had 521 assists, 39 aces and a team-high 51 blocks.

Sage Hill sophomore opposite Emily Elliott and junior defensive specialist Ashley Sung were named to the second team, and sophomore setter Zoe Stern received honorable mention.

Lightning coach Dan Thomassen earned San Joaquin League Coach of the Year honors. Sage Hill reached the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs, where it lost to Culver City.

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