Mission League honors roll in Flintridge Sacred Heart volleyball

Questions revolved around the Flintridge Sacred Heart volleyball team before the start of the 2016 season after the Mission League co-champions graduated four seniors, including talented setter Clare Lund.

Though the Tologs fell short of repeating as league champions in 2016, perhaps they surprised even themselves in finishing with a 23-10 record, a 5-3 mark in league for second place and advancement to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.

“It was a different season for all of us and one that was definitely different for me than my sophomore or junior years,” said Flintridge Sacred Heart senior outside hitter Kayla Lund, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year. “The good thing is that it definitely went better than I expected and it was such a great season to end my career on. I will always be proud of FSHA.”

When the Mission League honors were released, the Tologs were recognized for their achievements with two first-team selections and seven overall picks.

Perhaps the only surprise came with the league’s biggest honors, as Kayla Lund was not chosen as the Mission League Most Valuable Player, breaking a two-year run.

“We had an up-and-down season and still managed to get second out of our league, but I guess the (league) coaches voted for the one that won our league and I guess they felt that that was a good representative,” Flintridge Sacred Heart Coach Ernest Banaag said.

“But I told them if you’re to put stats to stats, Kayla by far is ahead of everybody. That’s not just by one or two, but by miles. I didn’t do enough to convince the coaches of that, but we all know Kayla is the MVP of our league.”

Kayla Lund won the award as a sophomore in 2014 and split the accolade with Marymount’s Devon Newberry in 2015. Newberry claimed the title outright this year for the league champion Sailors.

This season, Lund and teammate Ellis DeJardin were both selected to the league’s first team.

Lund was spectacular again as the University of Pittsburgh-bound standout topped her career-best total of kills by one, as she finished with 555 kills this season, which were complemented by 348 digs, 251 assists, 81 aces and 38 blocks.

“This team – they’re my sisters and they’re my best friends. It was a year where we had a lot of fun just going out and competing,” said Kayla Lund, who also trains with the San Gabriel Valley Elite Volleyball Club. “I will always cherish this year and playing for my teammates and my school.”

As for DeJardin, the junior outside hitter was a wonderful second option and finished with her own impressive tally, as she totaled 463 kills, 392 assists, 213 digs and 40 aces.

“This year, Ellis learned a lot that she can’t depend on Kayla to save the team,” Banaag said. “She knew that when you look down the line, she had to play a different role. She did a great job of understanding her role and the numbers speak for how hard she’s worked.”

Flintridge Sacred Heart seniors Mady Martinez and Tori Conlon were named to the league’s second team.

Martinez was a middle blocker and finished with 94 kills and 68 blocks. Conlon split time at defensive specialist and hitter and finished with 175 digs, 107 kills and 24 aces.

Flintridge Sacred Heart senior Maddie Pernecky (364 digs and 23 aces), sophomore Megan Lund (108 kills, 55 digs and 30 blocks) and senior Natalie Buntich (84 kills and 49 blocks) were named all-league honorable mentions.

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Andrew J. Campa, andrew.campa@latimes.com

Twitter: @campadresports