Saunders a Model on the Court
“Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it.”
-- “Vogue,” by Madonna
Oh really?
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Bohdana Saunders, a volleyball player at Buena High, is finding that modeling is not just a smile for the camera.
“It’s tough,” she said. “It takes a lot to get into it because you have to build your portfolio, learn how to walk [on the runway], learn how to dress and how to wear your makeup.”
Saunders, who took up modeling less than a year ago at the urging of friends, has been fortunate.
She has appeared in a hair-product brochure and in a fashion show for an Italian designer.
The senior already seems to understand the ways of modeling.
“Sometimes people love you,” she said, “and sometimes they don’t.”
A few months ago, Saunders was invited to audition for a runway show that focused on hair styles.
Saunders made the first cut--from 400 down to 25--and had a shot at being chosen among the eight models who would each be paid $800 a day for a three-day show.
She finished ninth.
“I try not to let that stuff get me down because I know [judges] have a set look on their mind,” Saunders said. “There’s always another audition I can go to.”
As long as it doesn’t interfere with volleyball practice.
Saunders, a 5-foot-9 opposite hitter, said she is firmly committed to her team, which is ranked No. 7 in the region by The Times. She said she asked a modeling agency to stop contacting her until the end of the season.
She said she hasn’t missed practice since the season began.
“If I did miss practice, I wouldn’t be able to play in the next game,” Saunders said. “And I like to play in games.”
Crescenta Valley’s four-game victory over Arcadia on Wednesday was a stunning reversal of tradition.
It was the first time Crescenta Valley had defeated the Apaches since 1978.
“I think a lot of it for us, and for me, is just the pride of beating Arcadia,” said third-year Coach Jennifer Kunz. “It’s been such the tradition that Arcadia’s the top team.”
Middle blocker Elizabeth Wiess-
ner is recognized at Chatsworth not only for her ability, but for her last name.
Wiessner’s older brother, Stephen, was a Times’ all-region second-team selection at Chatsworth in 1996.
Stephen, who now plays at Cal State Northridge, set a Chatsworth match record with 38 kills against Arcadia. And he’s not afraid to give advice to his sister.
“He’ll tell me what I’ve done wrong and what I should be doing on my technique and everything,” Elizabeth said. “He comes to almost all my games.”
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The Top 10
Rankings of girls’ volleyball teams from the region
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RK LW School (League) 1 1 Harvard-Westlake (Mission) 2 2 Royal (Marmonte) 3 3 Calabasas (Frontier) 4 4 Flintridge Scrd Hrt (Mission) 5 5 La Reina (Tri-Valley) 6 6 Westlake (Marmonte) 7 7 Buena (Channel) 8 9 Village Christian (Alpha) 9 8 Notre Dame (Mission) 10 10 Sylmar (Valley Pac-8)
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