Ballin' at Da Beach

WVB: Freshman class making an impact

The Long Beach State women’s volleyball team just completed their first full week of double day practices, but there is already a buzz among fans and boosters that have attended practices.  This air of excitement has nothing to do with the program’s returning players that came in fit, significantly improved, and raring to go, but has to do more with the talented freshman class that head coach Brian Gimmillaro has brought in: Ashley Vazquez, Chelsea Cabrajac, Delainey Aigner-Swesey, Haleigh Hampton, and Kiri Hirini.

For the most part, these five freshman will be competing with some of the returning players trying to fill the void left by departing seniors Naomi Washington (left side) and Britney Herzog (middle). From my observations, and from speaking with other fans/boosters I respect, it appears that freshman Delainey and Haleigh may have the early jump on the two open positions.  However, as we all know, predictions made after only a weeks worth of practices do not amount to a “hill of beans”, especially when they were not made by the coaching staff!

It’s time to meet the incoming freshman class (bios from LBSU reports).

Chelsea Cabrajac

Warren High School: A four-year letter winner in volleyball with the Bears … Also lettered in soccer as a freshman before focusing on volleyball … Earned second-team all-league honors … San Gabriel Valley league runner-up for three years before leading Warren to the league championship as a senior … Reached the CIF semifinals as a senior in 2009 … A three-time first-team All-League selection … First-team All-CIF two times … Named the San Gabriel Valley League MVP as a senior.

Personal: Parents are Michael and Christie Cabrajac … Uncle David Main played baseball at Pepperdine … Majoring in engineering.

Practice Observations: Chelsea has surprised many in her overall skill level since she came into the program without a lot of publicity.  The walk-on utility player has shown a good understanding of the game, which enables her to do very well at a multitude of positions.  It appears Coach Gimmillaro is trying her out on the left side and possibly as a back row specialist.  As one observer put it, “Chelsea does not catch your eye right away but as more time passes you notice she does so many things pretty darn well… very steady and consistent”.

Delainey Aigner-Swesey

Serrano High School: A four-year letter winner in volleyball at Serrano High School … led the Diamondbacks to four straight Mojave River League championships … Earned all-league honors as a sophomore, junior and senior … Named the Mojave River MVP as a senior … Also earned MVP honors in the league’s all-star game … Played with current 49er Caitlin Ledoux.

Personal: Parents are Scot Swesey and Anita Aigner … Grandfather Dennis Aigner was a volleyball player at UCLA and UC Berkeley … A 2010 honors graduate from Serrano High School … Majoring in biology.

Practice Observations: When I watch Delainey practice it is hard for me to believe that she is just a freshman with only one week’s worth of practices behind her.  As a booster put it, “when Brian talks to her he is already talking about refinements that are not usually made until a players sophomore year.  She really is advanced at this stage of the game”.  One thing that stands out to me beyond her skill level is her even and calm demeanor.  It appears that nothing rattles her and this trait allows her to absorb all the new techniques the coaching staff is teaching her.  I can safely predict that Delainey will be in the rotation at left side when the season opens in two weeks.

Haleigh Hampton

Huntington Beach High School: Led the Oilers to a league championship while lettering in volleyball … Also a two-year letter winner in water polo … A three-time All-Seaview League selection in volleyball … An All-Orange County pick in 2008 and 2009 … A first-team All-CIF selection as a senior … A member of the junior national team for the USA … Earned a gold medal in the 2010 NORCECA championships with Team USA … Named to the All-Tournament Team at the championships … Earned the “Best Blocker” award as well … Also an All-Tournament Team member with Cal Juniors at the Junior Olympic club competition … An honors graduate from HBHS.

Personal: Parents are Tay and Thea Hampton … Has two siblings that competed at Biola College … Brother Rocky played basketball while sister Tavea played volleyball … Majoring in Journalism.

Practice Observations: I have watched Haleigh play a handful of times during her club ball career and knew LBSU was getting a top notch middle; however, I could not have been more surprised when I saw her on campus during workouts.  She looks so much more explosive now and both her blocking and hitting skills have taken a huge leap forward.  I have especially been impressed with her ability to attack from the back row.  Haleigh will make an immediate impact and has the ability down the road to be LBSU’s next All-American.

Kiri Hirini

Bethlehem College: A three-sport star at Bethlehem, lettering in volleyball, netball, and swimming … In swimming was the region winner in the backstroke and the freestyle … led the netball team to a runner-up finish in the region … In volleyball, started with a ninth place finish in the Division 1 High School national championships as a sophomore, then led the team to a fifth place finish as a junior and a championship finals appearance in her senior season … Earned All-Tournament Team honors are the New Zealand High School Nationals … Named the All-Around Maori Sportswoman in 2007 and 2008 … Also selected as the Top Sport Woman at Bethlehem College in 2009 … Played beach volleyball with the New Zealand national team … Competed in the U19 world championships in Turkey in 2009 … Reached the Top 8 in the New Zealand Beach Tour … Also a member of the junior national indoor volleyball team … A member of both the U17 and U19 teams … Won the women’s New Zealand national club championship with the Tauranga Women’s club in 2008.

Personal: Parents are John and Jane Hirini … Earned Top of Year honors in 2008 and 2009 in secondary school … Major is undeclared.

Practice Observations: Kiri is competing for the open middle blocker position.  She is working really hard at learning what is expected out of a middle at LBSU, and that can be challenging at times.  She is a hard worker that always has a smile on her face. Brian is paying a lot of attention to her which usually means he sees something in a player.  Kiri is probably down the depth chart right now, but she has the raw abilities to make it in the lineup as she matures throughout the season.

Ashley Vazquez

Prior to Long Beach State: Played for the Puerto Rico Junior National Team, spending six years with the program … Named the MVP at the JVDA Championships in Kentucky (U18) … Also led the Puerto Rican team in percentage at the NORCECA championships.

Colegio Catolico Notre Dame: A four-year letter winner in volleyball … Led the Knights to two league championships and reached the finals three times … Went undefeated as a senior, going 18-0 … A four-time All-Star for the Puerto Rico High School Athletic Alliance (PRHSAA) … Also named a four-time MVP … A four-time recipient of Colegio Catolico’s outstanding athlete award.

Personal: Parents are Eduardo Vazquez and Sandra Sanchez … Brother Ryan plays volleyball in Puerto Rico for Turabo University … Majoring in Journalism.

Practice Observations: Ashley is competing for both the setter and right side hitter positions.  She has shown to have soft hands and has the ability to put the ball where the hitters need it.  As usual, Coach Gimmillaro retools all of his players and Ashley had to make a lot of adjustments, but she has shown a great attitude and a willingness to learn.  In the last few days a significant improvement has been made in both her blocking and hitting effectiveness.  After a few more weeks of practice Vazquez should be in a good position to compete for some real playing time.  Ashley has the potential to be a future starter at both the setter and right side position.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 10:00 am. It is filed under Uncategorized, Volleyball, Women's Volleyball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.