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.